Whispers in the Dark by Gayle Eden

Author:Gayle Eden
Language: ron
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

PART TWO - CHAPTER 10

Lecrox Manor November, five months later

“Going out for a ride, are ye?” Joan’s maid Agnes was putting away clothing in the wardrobe, and looking over her shoulder.

Agnes was in her late fifties, and had been her maid since she was a child. She, like the entire household, had met Joan’s return with smiles and happy chatter, everyone over the weeks questioning her about London and the season. Scolding her because she hadn’t brought home a husband.

But Agnes, who’d known the less formal manner of the household, since her father’s time, was quite used to Joan riding year round. They’d had three weeks of dreary rain 79

Gayle Eden

Whispers in the Dark

and brooding clouds that had finished turning the fall leaves to brilliant golds and reds and, other than visiting tenants, and doing estate business, Joan had been stuck inside.

“I need to stir about.” Joan smiled and buttoned the heavy, doeskin riding jacket.

“We’ve actually got sun today. I enjoy a spring rain, but I can do without this dreary weather.”

“Aye. You and me both. My joints be aching, and the whole of the house seems glum and dreary. I’ll not be smiling when the snows come either. The ‘ouse be too quiet these days, milady.”

“I’m the Joan I was before I had a season,” Joan scolded. “You’ve all milady’d me to death since I got back.“ She pulled on her gloves. “Last week I was in my trousers, mucking stalls with Hobbs, and he was milady this and milady that.”

“Your parents had titles.” Agnes sniffed. “Your mother expected us to use them…”

“Agnes.” Joan put her hands on her hips and regarded her wryly. “You wiped my nose and my bottom, I’ll do with the formality in public, but you’re all like my family here.”

“Not if you’d get yourself a husband.” Agnes grumbled and shut the wardrobe doors, turning and placing her hands on her own amble hips. “You should have a family of your own. Your mother wanted it, and your father too.”

Joan laughed. “Oh yes, I should have brought all of you one of those London lords.”

She chuckled. “Pasty and white and carrying hankies with more lace than is on your cap.” She winked. “He’d likely retire here a few weeks out of the year, but keep me-“

“They’re all not that way!” Agnes cut her off grunting. “I read the Times too. You should

‘av brought us one those chaps like yer father. A real man.”

Should have brought them a…Joan crossed her arms, her eyes going over the woman suspiciously. “What do you know Agnes?”

“Not a thing.” Agnes tried to contain her smile.

“Uh…hum.” Joan tapped her boot against the hardwood floor.

Agnes bit her lip then laughed and spread her arms, “Oh all right. We heard a bit of gossip during the season, and we was hoping.”

“Gossip?”

“Yes, about you and a certain earl.”

Joan’s eyes widened. “Rea - lly. What exactly did you hear?”

80

Gayle Eden

Whispers in the Dark

“Not much. Just at the start of the season there was some. Well

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