Wicked Wager by Beverley Eikli

Author:Beverley Eikli
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd

Chapter Eleven

The night was dark with no moon, so the carriage had to travel slowly through the cobbled streets, which put Perry into a fever of frustrated irritation. Damn the wretched man for ruining his sister’s life. He’d once liked Carstairs, a mild-mannered, almost shy fellow, he’d thought. Unremarkable in every respect, really, but for the fact he was an only son possessed of a sizeable fortune, thanks to his recent unexpected inheritance.

Peregrine supposed he was handsome enough in his way. Certainly Charlotte seemed to find his long white fingers, his slightly protuberant cow’s eyes and his quiet intense manner to her satisfaction. She’d been overjoyed by his unexpected marriage proposal just before he’d set sail for Jamaica to attend to his business interests. During the five months she’d awaited his return she’d spoken of little other than the new life she was anticipating as Harry’s wife, and as mistress of his country seat in Hampshire and Harry’s Jamaican estates.

Then something dramatic had happened and Miss Rosington’s virtue had been compromised in her quest to rescue Harry.

Well, now that Harry Carstairs had returned, Perry needed to confront him, not least so a satisfactory resolution that took account of Charlotte’s feelings and her dignity could be found.

Perry signalled to his coachman to stop a little distance away from the townhouse where Carstairs was reputed to be staying. Stealth and discretion were required, which meant a quiet arrival through the servants’ quarters, not a loud and angry demand at the front door.

Perry was not unfamiliar with such clandestine operations. He’d once paid a series of similarly secretive visits to a young widow who put on a creditable show of mourning during the day and took a wildly passionate interest in Perry during the nights. Her lady’s maid and the kitchen staff were well-paid accomplices who knew their continued employment relied upon their discretion.

The right coin could win anyone over, Perry knew, as he contemplated how much it would cost him to gain entry if Carstairs was in no mood to see him.

He checked himself. Carstairs certainly would not see him at this late hour and Perry was not particularly in the mood for confrontation.

However, without knowing the reasons behind the man’s disappearance, he could not risk Harry eluding him again. He owed it to Charlotte, though it was Miss Rosington’s need for the truth that motivated him more. Her reputation had been tarnished by the mystery surrounding Carstairs and the erroneous implication she and Carstairs were lovers.

After he’d negotiated entry to the dark and cavernous kitchen, Perry allowed himself a brief smile. Hadn’t he reached the age when cloak-and-dagger antics belonged to greenhorns, or fiery youth pulsing with the restless energy to prove themselves?

The gasp of a small, skinny kitchen skivvy brought him back to the present. ‘Hush, I won’t hurt you,’ he reassured the girl, pressing a coin into her palm as he slipped by, ‘as long as you don’t say a word.’

It was not very chivalrous, he reflected, to threaten violence he did not intend to helpless young women.

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