The Disappearing Duchess by Anne Herries

Author:Anne Herries [Herries, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4603-4931-1
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Justin had gone out on business. Mrs Mann told her that he had left soon after Lord Lanchester and he was not expected back until that evening.

‘I believe Mr Johnston had bad news about one of the tenants,’ the housekeeper told her. ‘He is his lordship’s agent for such matters, my lady.’

‘Yes, I think I have spoken to Mr Johnston,’ Lucinda said. ‘If he does not mean to return, I shall require only some tea and perhaps a scone in the little parlour for nuncheon. I ate well at breakfast and need little until tea.’

After leaving her housekeeper, Lucinda refreshed the flowers in the main rooms downstairs. She wrote a short letter to her mother, enquiring after her health and telling her that she was at Avonlea. Taking it through to the hall to leave it for franking with the others, she noticed that there was a letter waiting for her. Something about the writing made her hand tremble as she reached for it, and when she broke the seal she gave a little cry of distress.

Your husband will divorce you if he guesses that the child is yours and not your cousin’s. You are a liar and a cheat and the price for my silence is fifteen thousand pounds. I shall give you one month to find the money and then tell you where to deliver it. Should you ignore my demand, your husband will learn what a shameful thing you are.

Lucinda screwed the letter into a ball. Keeping it tight in her hand, she went into the main parlour, where a fire was burning. She was about to toss it into the fire, but then hesitated. Justin had told her that if she received another blackmail letter she should give it to him and let him deal with it, but how could she? He would immediately want to know more about the child and then he would be furious with her. She had laid herself open to this wicked blackmail by keeping the child with her. Justin would have every right to be angry with her.

This deceit had gone on long enough. She must tell him the truth and then show him the letter. Smoothing the paper out, she tucked it inside her gown and went upstairs to change into a more suitable gown. Justin liked to see her looking pretty and elegant and she must not disappoint him.

* * *

In the event, Justin did not return home until six o’clock that evening. He sent her an apology and went straight to his room to change before they left to dine with the Lanchesters. The carriage was sent for and there was no time to discuss anything, because any delay would have made them very late.

‘Forgive me for deserting you without warning,’ Justin said as the carriage moved off. ‘One of my tenants died today. His widow has five children under the age of ten and she was afraid that I should turn her from her cottage.

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