The Passionate Friends by Meg Alexander

Author:Meg Alexander [Alexander, Meg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-02-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The subject of his thoughts was still abed at the house in Seven Dials. Truscott was nursing an aching head.

He’d awakened in the worst of moods after a restless night. Sleep had proved elusive, and he’d tossed for hours, seeking in vain for some solution to his problems. This had required the consumption of the best part of a bottle of brandy, but it had served only to send him into a stupor.

Now he regretted his indulgence. He needed all his wits about him if he were to deal with Margrave. Damn the man! He’d seen the chance of easy pickings and he’d taken it. But he’d chosen the wrong victim.

He raised his throbbing head and glanced about the room to find that he was alone.

“Nan?” he yelled. Then he picked up one of his boots and threw it at the door.

“What is it, Josh?” The girl came hurrying to his side.

“Fetch me some ale, and be quick about it!” He caught sight of her face. “What happened to you? God, but you’re a sight this morning!”

“You beat me, Josh.” She touched her swollen face and winced.

“You must have deserved it!” He grunted and turned over. He had no recollection of striking her, but it was no matter. Women needed to be kept in line.

“I…I did everything you asked…and the lady gave me money…” At the look on his face she fled.

As Truscott sipped at his ale, the mists cleared from his mind. His decision to send the girl to seek out Judith had been a good one. He now had money enough for his immediate expenses, but better still the meeting had provided him with useful information which might prove vital at some future date.

How easy it had been for Nan, a stranger, to approach Judith in the street, and even to arrange a further meeting. Not for the first time he blessed the stupidity of her stepmother. How many young women were allowed to walk the London thoroughfares with only a maid for company, and unattended by either a footman or a groom for protection? It was Mrs Aveton’s selfishness and spite which allowed Judith such infrequent use of the family carriage, and then only when she was to be conveyed to the homes of such members of the aristocracy as Mrs Aveton hoped to cultivate.

He’d wondered at it since the early days of their acquaintance, but he’d made no protest. His heiress must not be too closely guarded. If ever his original plan should go awry, he might turn that fact to his advantage.

He’d run no risk in sending Nan to Judith. The girl knew him only as Josh Ferris, and he’d warned her not to answer questions. All in all, it had been a successful operation. The note had been an extra flourish. He’d thought long and hard before putting pen to paper, and then it was not from a desire to reassure her as to his health.

He’d promised to call upon her on the following day.

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