Wicked Secrets by Eliza Lloyd

Author:Eliza Lloyd
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2013-08-29T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“What do you mean my wife did not return with you?”

Charles stared at the Duchess of Pelham, who appeared unrepentant and unmoved that she had left his inexperienced, innocent wife in Paris with nothing more than a servant as an escort. What had started as a perfectly acceptable day, including a ride on one of his favorite horses, had come to a shocking halt when he’d come upon the duchess walking in the park. She strolled with three other women, who proceeded without her when she nodded at them to continue their journey. Needless to say, he was sufficiently appalled and angered by the duchess’s lack of concern. He did have the courtesy to remove his hat.

“Lord Archer, Lady Archer has a mind and will of her own. I but offered to escort her to Paris. Nothing was said about her returning with me. And if I understood correctly, she was about to embark on a sojourn to the south of France. She said something about exploring the wineries of the Rhône Valley. She seemed to enjoy the effects of French wines.”

“The South of France? My wife? Her brother is getting married. She should be home.” Charles was nothing short of aghast. He had presumed her brother had notified her of his imminent and surprising wedding plans. He had assumed she would be home in time for the festivities. Now he had to wonder if she even knew.

“Redding?” The duchess laughed. “Edward is getting married? And who is the lucky woman who caught the dear boy?”

“Helene Cosgrove.” Charles had heard some tattle or other about the duchess and Edward Chase but at the moment he had only one concern—where the hell was his wife?

“I’m gone for a few weeks and the world is turned upside down,” she said lightly.

“Duchess, did my wife say anything about when she was to return?”

“Oh, I completely forgot, what with all the excitement of our return to London. I have a letter for you. Really, I’m just breathless with this shocking news of Redding. You must warn me you wish to impart such astounding news ahead of time.”

Charles nearly groaned. He did bite back an expletive. How could the duchess not have heard the news? Gossip had linked Redding and the duchess and the duchess and Redding’s father and if she had been home for three days, someone in her circle would have whispered the news to her.

“Lady Archer made me promise I would deliver her note into your hands personally and here I’ve been completely negligent. When did you say they were getting married? Oh, but never mind. I will find out soon enough. I’m sure mothers everywhere are relieved by the news and talking of nothing else. Now. Where were we? Yes, the duke and I are hosting a small dinner party this evening if you would care to join us? I can place the note directly in your hands then.”

“I’m sure I have other plans.”

“Oh, but you must. It is fortuitous we have met like this.

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