The Earl on the Train by Kerrigan Byrne

Author:Kerrigan Byrne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver-Heber Books

Seven

Veronica didn’t allow herself to breathe until she spied Penelope Weller and her lover, Adam Grandville, making their careful way toward her on the train platform.

Parisians and travelers blurred together in the colorful chaos of the Gare de Lyon, performing a polite waltz as they either disembarked or boarded the train. Any other day Veronica would have enjoyed the spectacle, but she couldn’t allow herself a moment’s peace until the train pulled away from the station and the young couple was out of Weller’s reach.

Pasting on a smile at their approach, she felt it melt immediately from her face as she took in their identical expressions. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

Rather than answer, Penelope and Adam stepped to the side, revealing a third companion.

Adrienne.

She’d a carpet bag gripped in two hands and even the veil of her emerald velvet hat couldn’t hide her swollen lip and blackening eye.

Blast and damn. While Veronica was dallying with Sebastian in the cargo car, the poor woman had been suffering her husband’s violent displeasure.

“Please don’t be cross with us,” Adam pleaded earnestly, swiping his fine hat from his dark head to clutch in front of him. “But Penny and I couldn’t leave her. I kept thinking…what if she were my own mother? I’d do anything to save her from such a monster.”

Veronica had to blink back tears, so touched was she by Adam’s decency. A kind heart was often hard to find. Gentlemen abounded these days, but a truly gentle man?

A rare treasure, indeed.

“Adrienne…” Veronica paused, struggling with the secrets she held. “What if I told you that you might very soon become a widow? Would you still want to go? To give up everything your husband might leave you?”

“My husband has nothing but vices and debtors, my lady,” the woman answered with downcast eyes. “His wealth has become sham. I will be left with less than nothing…but if I stay, I will become nothing.”

“I’m so sorry,” Veronica hugged the fragile woman to her.

“Dear Adam has invited me to live with his family in Boston. They’ve a summer home somewhere called Montauk, right on the sea.” The little spark of hope in Adrienne’s voice ignited something inside of Veronica as well.

Struck with anxiety, she pulled away. “Of course, you can have my seat on the coach to Le Havre, but are only two tickets on the ship. Your cabins—”

“We’ll manage.” Adam said with confidence. “This is a trip I’ve taken often in my life. I can navigate preparations easily.”

Veronica found a new appreciation for the lad. He might look boyish and a bit innocent, even for his age, but he’d the steady gaze of a capable man.

“What about your travel papers?” she remembered with alarm. “I only have two forged copies for Penny and Adam. Should anyone look at the register…they’ll know where to find you. Furthermore, you won’t be able to board the ship without them.”

“I don’t care if I’m found, I won’t return.” Adrienne’s eyes blinked against instant panicked tears. “But…he keeps my papers and all money.

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