Your Scarred Heart: Ladies of the Order - Book 4 by Clee Adele

Author:Clee, Adele
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

“You’re an enquiry agent, Miss Wild?” said Sir George Tutton—godfather to the man who had spent the entire journey to Canterbury complimenting Nora’s handling of Lord Rutherfield. “What a novel way to earn a living, my dear.”

Nora had braced herself for the raise of a disapproving brow. A warning no man in the land would take a wife who enjoyed such a morbid pastime. But Sir George looked upon her with warm admiration.

Despite being in his late fifties, Sir George’s thick grey hair was cut in the latest style. Like Mr Daventry, he wore a fashionable black coat she knew to be from Monsieur Pavot in Oxford Street, for she recognised the signature cut of the lapels. Equally, Sir George seemed to be a modern thinker.

“It was more necessity than choice, sir,” she admitted before sipping her tea and gazing about the elegant drawing room. “You’ve been to London recently, Sir George. Do you like the hustle and bustle of city life?”

Sir George smiled. “The smog is no good for the lungs, my dear. Hence why I prefer living close to the sea.”

Lord Deville returned his teacup to the trestle table. “Miss Wild would like to ask you a few questions. I fear they may be blunt and of a personal nature.”

Sir George laughed. “You’re party to most of my secrets, Sylvester. It won’t hurt to discover them all. Besides, a little excitement will brighten the day. Ask what you will, Miss Wild.”

Nora steeled her nerves. “I beg your pardon in advance, Sir George, but I must ask a rather delicate question.” She paused, knowing she would probably cause offence. “Are you Lord Deville’s father?”

Lord Deville almost choked. Had he been drinking tea, he would have dribbled the beverage down his expensive coat. “Why would you ask that?”

“Because she can tell I love you like a son,” Sir George said, looking amused. “And she knows of your mother’s foolish remark and wonders if I killed Felix to protect you.”

“I know you did not kill Felix, sir.”

“How do you know?”

“Because the finger of suspicion would have fallen on your godson. I know you would not want to cause him distress.” Indeed, the lord’s happiness and welfare had quickly become her main concern, too.

Sir George’s eyes brightened. “How astute you are, Miss Wild. To answer your question, Sylvester is the legitimate son of Frederick Deville, as was his brother. I only wish Sylvester were my son. He is a good, honourable man, but you know that, too.”

Nora glanced at Lord Deville, a glow of admiration filling her chest. He did not deserve the gossips’ condemnation. He did not deserve to carry the burden of his brother’s failures or to wear a permanent scar.

“Lord Deville is exactly as you describe, sir.” Except when his mouth covered hers. When principles gave way to passion and the need to be wicked proved overwhelming. “He tells me you never married but were a frequent visitor to Highcliffe in his youth.”

Sir George looked to the hearth,

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