The Shadowing London Series Collection by Jessie Clever

Author:Jessie Clever [Clever, Jessie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Someday Lady Publishing, LLC

Chapter 10

The pain came swift and sharp, and the air rushed from her lungs so quickly, she choked on it.

It wasn't the question itself or the blunt way in which he'd asked it. She was used to such a frank manner of speech. Having been raised in the bosom of the Black family, it was simply unavoidable.

The thing which caused her much distress was deeper than that. Truer. Cleaner. Disappointingly accurate.

This wasn't a social call.

He hadn't meant to truly take her for a stroll in the park. He hadn't meant to parade her around on his arm in front of the other debutantes of the season. Show her off. Make it known he was courting her.

Courting her.

Ha.

She'd had it all wrong.

He wanted information from her. Information regarding the investigation.

Wendy had stopped several paces behind them, and they may as well have been alone.

The coil of energy that had been wound so tautly within her vanished, whatever hope she may still have possessed disappearing with it. She faced Evanshire.

"I promised my grandfather I'd take care of my grandmother." The words were said with so little emotion, she could only imagine the emptiness of her features.

Could he tell he'd just cut her where it could most hurt her? In that secret place where she still believed she deserved to be loved?

She had known from the first moment she'd realized she wasn't beautiful like Emily. She'd realized the first moment she wasn't vivacious like Lizzie. She'd known. And she'd accepted it. That she'd never be quite enough to attract a man's attention.

Until him. But she'd been wrong.

He stared at her now, and the tension around his eyes suggested he hadn't comprehended her words.

"My grandfather." She spoke more clearly now as if he were hard of hearing. "When he knew his time was drawing to a close, he made me swear to protect Lady Jane."

Had it all been a lie? Those charming words? The kiss? Had it all been to manipulate her for information? Men like Austin didn't marry women like her. She'd been right all along.

Evanshire shook his head. "Yes, I understand that. But why? Surely, your grandmother is well protected by all the members of the family." He paused and made a sweeping gesture with his hand. "Your own brother is an inspector with the Metropolitan Police Force. He practically has Commissioner Mayne in his pocket. If anyone should be more protected—"

He dropped off his words as she shook her head. "No, no. That's precisely why Grandfather made me swear."

Evanshire looked about them now, and she suddenly realized they had stopped on the path. They were drawing curious glances but not at all for the reasons she had expected.

He reached for her arm as if to guide her into resuming their walk, but the strangest thing happened.

She pulled her arm out of his reach.

It was there one moment. Perfectly poised under his extended hand, and then—

She couldn't have said what came over her. What compelled her. What…gave her the courage, but she pulled away.

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