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    Lady Linford's Return

    by

    Anne Ashley

     Anne Ashley was born and educated in Leicester. She lived for a time in Scotland, but now lives

    in the West Country with two cats, her two sons and a husband, who has a wonderful and very

    necessary sense of humour. When not pounding away at the keys of her typewriter, she likes to

    relax in her garden, which she has opened to the public on more than one occasion in aid of the

    village church funds.

     ecent titles by the same author!

    "#$ $AL %& A'($)S WA*

     LA*' L+(&%*)S $"( 

     -+LLS /%%( 

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    Chapter One

    Viscount Linford winced as the over-zealous application of the door-knocker echoed loudly

    round the hall to disturb the quiet confines of his library. His violet-blue eyes narrowed as he

    sipped his wine.

    He knew of only one person to set up such a hammering on a door. Unless he was very much

    mistaken his peace and quiet was about to be shattered by the entrance of his most convivial of 

    relatives.

    !he door opened and an almost apologetic "eplow announced the arrival of Lady #arnsdale.

    !he Viscount rose from the comfort of his favourite armchair and moved with languid grace

    across to the decanters his hand hovering between the $adeira and burgundy.

    %How lovely to see you &unt Henrietta'% he greeted her warmly as she swept into the room with

    a rustle of satin petticoats and much bobbing of the preposterously large plumes adorning her 

     bonnet.

    %(on)t lie Linford'% she responded in her usual forthright manner.

    %*f you had wanted to see me you would have taken the trouble to inform me of your return to

    town. &nd * +* l take a glass of $adeira.%

    %,ou always somehow manage to discover my whereabouts Hetta without my having to

    enlighten you% he returned blandly handing her the wine before seating himself opposite %,our 

    army of spies has been remarkably diligent today however. * arrived less than three hours ago.%

    Her lips twitched. +* know that. &my itzpatrick saw you tooling your curricle into the quare.%

    he eyed him narrowly for a moment as she sampled the e/cellent wine. %0ather an odd time to

    decide to come to London. !he eason)s almost half over. 1hat brings you here2 3r shouldn)t *

    ask2%

    %,ou shouldn)t but *)ve never known that stop you before.%

    %Ha' ,ou)ve a new barque of frailty under your protection * +* l be bound'% he gave vent to an

    unladylike snort. %Heard all about that "arisian strumpet you had with you last year.%

    He raised his eyes to stare blindly at an imaginary spot on the wall behind her his mind)s eye

    con4uring up a pleasant vision. %& delightful little armful she was to be sure but like all the

    others palled after a time.%

    !his drew forth another derisive snort from his favourite relative.

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    %!hink * don)t know that2 !here ain)t been-one of )em that)s meant a groat to you. !hat)s why it

    amazed me when you let that tandish chit go without putting up a pounds ht. ,ou could have

    had that gel Linford. he was very fond of you.%

    %#ut she was in love with the 5arl% he countered. %&nd if you imagine * went abroad last year 

    nursing a broken heart you)re far-and-away out.%

    %!hen why did you suddenly take it into your head to go2%

    His frown rarely seen by her creased his high forehead and for a moment she thought he would

    stubbornly refuse to satisfy her curiosity but then he said %* did not fall in love with 0ebecca

    tandish even though she is a darling but * might easily have done so. he did however force

    me to take stock of my situation. !hings cannot possibly remain as they are.%

    His frown disappeared as one black brow rose mockingly. %1hat could * have offered her after 

    all ... a carte blanche2%

    Lady #arnsdale eyed him thoughtfully. His wife)s mysterious disappearance had been a

    continuous torment. He had hidden his distress and feelings of guilt behind a veneer of cynicism

    and feigned indifference6 but she knew7 he had never been able to hide his an/iety from her.

    %*t)s been si/ years (ominic% she said with rare gentleness. %5ven if she is alive which * doubt

    you don)t imagine surely that you could discover what has become of her now2 ,ou tried

    everything humanly possible before and to no avail.%

    %* know but * must try again.% He gazed down into the contents of his glass. %*f * should discover 

    that she is dead at least * can arrange for her body to be brought back to Linford Hall and placed

    in the family vault. &nd if by some chance she is still alive... 1ell it will be as she chooses. #ut

    at least * can ensure she wants for nothing.%

    %he)s more likely to want another stab at being Viscountess Linford'% she retorted.

    %*f that is the case why hasn)t she returned2% he countered.

    %Unless she)s dead * can think of no reason. #ut---but Linford if she isn)t you cannot wish

    surely to saddle yourself with that half witted creature again2 1hy you +* l breed a passel of 

    moon lings.% He gave a sudden shout of laughter. %1hat on earth makes you suppose that *

    married a half wit because * tell you now if that)s what you)ve been thinking all these years youcouldn)t have been more wrong. 0achel my dear was an intelligent girl. hy certainly but that

    was all.%

    he was slightly taken aback but recovered in an instant. %1ell you cannot deny the gel wasn)t

    normal. 8ranted * stayed with you for a few days only after your marriage but she hardly spoke

    above half a dozen words to me the whole time * was there. &nd she went around all the time

    carrying a rag doll ... a doll at si/teen' * ask you'%

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    !his drew a betraying twitch to his well-shaped lips. %,es * can quite understand your thinking

    that rather strange. *t certainly irked me at the-time * +* l admit. *t wasn)t until after she had

    disappeared that * began to understand---began to realise what an appalling e/istence the poor 

    child had endured during her short life.%

    he looked at him searchingly. %* recall your saying her father was something of a miserlyrecluse. 1as her life so very bad2%

    %,es it was% he answered with unusual vehemence. %&bominable'%

    Lady #arnsdale watched him rise to his feet and go across to stand before the fireplace every

    muscle in his tall powerful frame seeming to grow taut as he stared down at the empty hearth.

    he was not a woman easily brought to tears but at that moment she could have wept knowing

    only too well that her stubborn stupidity had caused him years of needless pain.

    he had watched Linford grow into the image of his father. he had adored her elder brother but

    had deplored his weaknesses. He had spent a fortune on his pretty frivolous wife and when she

    had died he had continued to squander it on his son.

    Her nephew had been thoroughly spoilt and indulged his every whim having been satisfied by

    his doting parent. Her nephew had needed to be brought to see the error of his ways6 had needed

    to be taught self-discipline and restraint6 but he had not deserved to be saddled with the shocking

    mountain of debts left by his father.

    ighing audibly she leaned back against the red velvet upholstery of the sofa. he had been in a

     position to help and had been willing to do so providing her nephew had been prepared to mend

    his ways. he had desperately wanted him to settle down and marry. 8od what a blind idiot shehad been'

    He had married right enough but not to one of the highly finished articles that had adorned the

    eason each year. *nstead he had married a wealthy merchant)s daughter a sad drab lump of a

    thing with no conversation and even less wit.

    %*f only * had not been so stubborn'% he did not realise she had spoken aloud until she looked

    up to find him staring down at her. %*f * had loaned you the money when you came to see me

    that) day * could have saved you all these years of anguish.%

    His smile was tender. %9o &unt Hetta. ,ou mustn)t blame yourself. ,ou were right to haverefused. Had you obliged * should have continued to be the empty-headed fool * was in those

    days caring for nothing and for no one e/cept my own selfish pleasures.%

    He sipped his wine thoughtfully his mind going back si/ long years to a certain cold day in

    ebruary. %1hen * received that letter from 0oderick 1eston * thought it a godsend. * had seen

    my neighbor perhaps half-a-dozen times in my life before * called on him that day. rom his

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    sick-bed he told me he would settle my every debt providing * married his daughter. !here she

    sat by the bed head bent saying not a word.%

    His shout of laughter had a bitter edge. %* hardly noticed her at all and yet * didn)t hesitate. !hree

    weeks later in that same drab bedchamber we were married. 1hen * left in the carriage

    afterwards with my si/teen-year-old bride beside me and 1eston)s promissory note in my hand* knew which meant more to me.%

    &gain he paused to sip his wine. %1eston had told me that the settlement of my father)s debts

    was only part of what * would eventually receive if * married his daughter. #elieve me Hetta

    when * tell you * was satisfied with that alone. 1eston lived for less than a month after the

    ceremony. His lawyers caught up with me here in London. !he old man cut up to the tune of a

    further half-million. ,es &unt% he went on smiling at her astonished look %half a million. &nd

    yet the miserly old rogue never spent a penny on that house of his nor on poor 0achel.%

    %1hat a scoundrel'% she e/claimed.

    %&nd worse. *t wasn)t until after she had disappeared that * discovered the miserable e/istence

    the poor child had endured. rom the day her mother ran off with that London fribble the poor 

    girl was a virtual prisoner confined to that house and its grounds. rom the day she was four 

    years old she saw no one e/cept the various governesses engaged to educate her her only

    friends the cook and housekeeper and the vicar who came to see her twice a week to teach her 

     both Latin )and 8reek. *t)s hardly surprising the poor child had little conversation. #ut half witted

    she most certainly was not.%

    %8ood 8od Linford' * had no idea.% he shook her head. %!hat poor child ... that poor poor 

    child.%

    His lips twisted into a self-deprecating sneer. %&nd look at the bargain she got in a husband' *

    couldn)t wait to get back here. &s soon as cousin $atilda arrived at the Hall to look after my

    child bride * upped and left and returned to my dissolute life.%

    %,es---quite'% he moved uncomfortably in her seat. %!here)s little to be gained by dwelling on

    the might-have-be ends. 1e cannot change what has happened. 1e must put our heads to--) he

     broke off as the rapping of the door-knocker echoed round the hall once more. %!hat will be

    :heffy. * asked him to meet me here. 1e)re calling on the #arringtons later.%

    !he door opened and a tall rather portly gentleman in his late fifties strolled into the room his

    round podgy fate wreathed in smiles as he shook the Viscount)s hand. %8ood to see you back 

    again from your travels Linford'%

    %He)s been back three months and more% Lady #arnsdale put in before her nephew could return

    the greeting. %#een with those 1retched brats of his if * know anything.%

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    he turned to her long-time friend who had eased his large bulk down on the sofa beside her.

    %*)m glad you)re early :heffy. ,ou may be of some help. Linford is going to have another stab at

    trying to discover what became of that wife of his. !hough how in the world he intends going

    about it defeats me.%

    he looked frowningly up at her nephew as he handed :heffy a glass of burgundy. %&re yougetting the 0unners on the 4ob again2%

    %9o% he replied without a moment)s hesitation. %!hat would be futile now. &fter all these years

    * doubt they would be interested. 9o *)ve learned of a man who takes on such cases---missing

     persons lost family heirlooms--those sorts of things. He)s coming here to see me tomorrow.%

    !he Honourable :harles :heffingham drew in a deep breath straining the seams of his dazzling

    waistcoat to dangerous) limits. %(on)t see what * can do m)boy but * +* l help if * can.%

    %* should like you both to think back very hard and tell me anything about 0achel that you

     particularly remember. &shamed though * am to admit it% the Viscount went on running his

    hand through his thick slightly waving black hair +* hardly remember her at all not enough to

    give an accurate description. $y one vivid recollection is that she had green eyes.%

    %,es she did7 Very fine eyes they were too with lovely long curling dark lashes% $r.

    :heffingham concurred. %$atched her hair.%

    %,ou mean she had dark hair2% his lordship ventured hopefully.

    %9o green ... well greenish. (amned odd sort of a color. 0emember thinking so at the time.%

    %8reen2% Lady #arnsdale echoed incredulous. %*t)s my belief :heffy you)re a bit top-heavy.%

    %9ot had more than a bottle of claret and a glass or two of port all day% he assured her slightly

    affronted by the slander us accusation.

    %9ot even bright in the eye' &nd * tell you the chit had queer greenish-colored hair.%

    %Utter rot' Her hair was sort of a---a dirty brown color% she argued looking up at her nephew.

    %0eminded me of the sweepings from a filthy stable.%

    %How delightful'% his lordship muttered seating himself opposite again wishing fervently that

    he had never broached the sub4ect in the first place but forged on stoically. %Let us reiterate; 0achel certainly had green eyes and her hair-her hair shall we say for argument)s sake was

     brownish in color. 9ow is there anything else you remember about her2%

    Lady #arnsdale shrugged. Like her nephew she remembered little about the young Viscountess

     but :heffy for all his seeming insouciance was in fact e/tremely observant.

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    %he was a clever little puss as * recall% he astounded Lady #arnsdale by remarking. %* mind the

    day after we had arrived at the Hall when you and Linford went off somewhere and * came

    across her in the library reading a book about some 8reek what not that had the unfortunate

    habit of creeping up behind a fellow when he was least e/pecting it. ate or some such thing.%

    %9ot ate :heffy--9emesis.%

    %* do believe you)re right Linford. 9emesis--yes that)s the one' !old me all about it she did.%

    He shook his head. %ad business m)boy. ,our wife was a taking little thing when she was

    animated. *f she had had a few decent rags on her back she would have been very pretty. 9ice

    and plump she was.

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    (eclining the porter)s offer to call a chair he placed his curly-brimmed hat at an angle on his

    head and set off at a brisk walk his mind deep in thought. His conversation with his aunt and

    :heffy that afternoon had forcibly borne in up n him 4ust what a momentous task it was going to

     be trying to discover what had become of his child bride.

    *t seemed doomed to failure from the start6 deep down he entertained-no real e/pectations of success but he was still determined to try. !he individual on whom he pinned all hopes had been

    highly recommended. He was a man seemingly who achieved results and he prayed that the

    task he was about to set him would not prove to be the e/-0unner)s first failure.

    His depressing thoughts ran along these lines for some time his mind)s eye unsuccessfully trying

    to con4ure up a clear vision of his young wife. *t was not until he was suddenly hailed by an

    acquaintance from an open window of a passing carriage that he became aware of his

    surroundings.

    He was a mere five minutes) walk away from #erkeley quare and the town residence of hisfriend the 5arl of 0ayne and his lovely young wife. He hovered on the brink of indecision for a

    moment then crossed the road in the direction of the quare.

    His lack of invitation card proved no bar and he was admitted without hesitation by a liveried

    footman who relieved him of his hat and cloak. &s he strolled up the staircase the sounds of 

    laughter and chatter and the strains of music grew steadily louder. He checked suddenly at the

    head of the stairs his frown descending.

    1hat on earth had possessed him to call2 He must have been mad' He was in no mood for 

    indulging in inconsequential chatter or for being polite to people whom he had no earthly wish

    to see. He turned about to retrace his steps when a high-pitched shriek arrested him and he

    turned again to see the lovely :ountess tripping lightly towards him.

    %How good it is to see you (ominic'% he entwined her arm round his thereby giving him little

    choice but to accompany her into the large brightly lit ballroom. %,our aunt said you had arrived

    in town. *)m so glad you found time to 4oin our little gathering.%

    He smiled down at her. he really was an enchanting creature. !he 5arl of 0ayne was an

    e/ceedingly lucky man to be able to call such a darling his own %&nd it)s good to see you again

    #ecky. #ut it)s high time that husband of yours taught you how to behave% he informed her with

    mock severity. %hrieking like a banshee is not at all the correct behaviour for a peer of therealm)s wife.%

     9ot in the least abashed she twinkled up at him. %,ou always remind me so much of (rum when

    you scold. !hat * suppose is why * adore you so much% she confessed before tripping lightly

    away to greet more late-comers.

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    %lirting with my wife again Linford2% !he 5arl came sauntering towards him his smile of 

    welcome a trifle crooked. %*t)s as well for you that * now consider you a friend otherwise *

    should be very tempted to call you out.%

    !he Viscount)s eyes glinted in response. %!his time last year you would not have called me so. *n

    fact you will admit you were mighty pleased to see the back of me if you)re honest.%

    !he 5arl laughing gave him a hearty slap on the back. %$y 4udgement then must have

    improved greatly in the past twelve months. * cannot deny it was at 0ebecca)s insistence that we

    descended on you in "aris after our honeymoon but your subsequent stay in 8loucestershire

    during the winter was at mine.%

    %,ou have a darling for a wife 0ayne and * have never tried to hide my regard for her nor shall

    *. #ut * believe you must realise now that * was never any real threat. How could * have been%

    his lips twisted into a bitter smile %circumstanced as * was ... as * am2%

    !he 5arl looked deeply into his violet eyes. !he Viscount had confided in him during his stay at

    0ayne. He understood fully his friend)s reasons for trying to discover the whereabouts of his

    wife and had gone so far as to furnish him with the name of a man who might be of use in his

    endeavours.

    %,ou must have made contact with tubbs by now (ominic. * hope his investigations bear fruit.

    #ut if not for 8od)s sake man bury the past' ,ou cannot continue to live under this heavy

     burden of guilt.%

    Linford sighed. %!he guilt no matter the outcome may possibly never leave me. #ut if nothing

    comes of these enquiries * shall set my lawyers on having the marriage annulled. &nd then *suppose% he added without any degree of enthusiasm %look about me for another wife.%

    %1ell you won)t find one amongst this insipid lot not unless your taste has deteriorated% the

    5arl returned gazing down the ballroom at the swirling dancers and at those ladies who not so

    fortunate. #ut still hopeful for a partner remained seated beside their chaperons.

    His lips curled suddenly into another crooked smile. %#ut you might try a look in the room set

    out for cards sometime this evening.%

    %3h2% !he Vicount caught the amused twinkle in his companion)s dark eyes. %* might 4ust do

    that. *s that deplorable aunt of mine here yet by any chance2%

    %,es. he too is playing cards * believe. 1hich reminds me. ,ou haven)t met--% He broke off as

    he noticed his wife signalling him frantically to greet yet more late-comers. %(uty calls. 1e +* l

    talk again later. 3r better still come and dine with us tomorrow evening.%

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    !he Viscount watched him walk away and then wandered about the room ignoring the hopeful

    glances cast his way by doting mamas as he spoke to various acquaintances. *t was some time

     before he entered the salon ad4oining the ballroom which had been set out for cards.

    0aising his quizzing glass he scanned the various tables. !here were several young ladies

     present but none worth a second glance from what he could see. He was beginning to think thathis friend had been indulging in some private 4est when he noticed Lady #arnsdale seated at a

    corner table and wandered over to her.

    %&h' o you decided to come after all% was his aunt)s greeting.

    %1ell as you)re here you may as well meet $rs. towen. 5mily this is my reprobate of a

    nephew.%

    !he Viscount had not thus far looked at his aunt)s companion who was seated with her back to

    the door but at this inelegant introduction felt obliged to acknowledge her. He turned but the

     polite utterance he had been about to make died in his throat as he stared down at one of the most

    lovely countenances he had ever seen.

    Large almond-shaped eyes framed in thick curling lashes were raised to his and 4ust for a

    moment he thought he could detect a flicker of something resembling contempt in their beautiful

    green depths but then it was gone and he felt certain he must have been mistaken.

    miling she placed her cards face down on to the table and held one slender white hand out to

    him. %How do you do sir2 ,our aunt speaks of you so often that * feel * know you already.%

    %&nd not a mite of good% that irrepressible lady put in. %#ut then *)ve never been one to lie

    have * Linford2% she added watching him bow gracefully over the slender fingers.

    %* can always rely on you Hetta to vilify me% he responded reluctantly releasing his hold on

    the ravishing creature before him.

    %*s this your first visit to London $rs. towen2%

    %9o sir. * have visited the metropolis once before many years ago but this has been a much

    longer stay.%

    He frowned slightly. %* cannot help feeling * have met you somewhere before.%

    3ne white shoulder rose in a graceful shrug. %*t)s certainly possible if you)re a frequent visitor to

    the 1est :ountry. * live quite retired there my lord.%

    %&nd what a waste' (o you not agree Linford2% Lady #arnsdale smiled up at him secretly

     pleased by his evident appreciation of her new-found friend. !hen out of the corner of her eye

    she noticed someone trying to attract her attention.

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    %Lady omerville desires speech with me. 1ill you both e/cuse me for a few minutes2 ,ou +* l

     be quite safe in Linford)s company 5mily. He cannot abide red hair% she added mischievously

    and chuckled at her nephew)s flashing look of annoyance as she sped away.

    %$ay * remain to keep you company until my incorrigible aunt returns $rs. towen2%

    &t her nod of assent he sat down and found himself unable to take his eyes off the e/quisite

    creature seated opposite. rom her lustrous dark red hair which resembled the color of 

    mahogany crowning her queenly little head in beautifully arranged curls to the ruby necklace

    encircling her slender throat she was a vision to behold. 9ot perhaps the most beautiful woman

    he had ever seen but certainly captivatingly lovely.

    *f there was a slight flaw--and as yet he was not prepared to call it so--it was her mouth which

    drooped down slightly at the corners giving her a rather petulant childlike appearance when she

    was not smiling.

    He watched her tapering fingers encircle the stem of her wineglass and raise it to her lips. %&m *

    right in thinking you haven)t known my aunt very long2%

    %1e met for the first time a little over si/ weeks ago.%

    %&nd you do not find her sharp tongue and astringent comments a trifle off-putting2% he quizzed.

    %9o for * too am not averse to plain speaking.% *ndeed2 His lordship mused one dark brow

    rising speculatively. He sub4ected her to a further prolonged searching stare. &nyone looking at

    her might be forgiven for thinking that such a fragile-looking creature would wilt beneath the

    merest harshly spoken word.

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    %* spent several months last year in "aris.%

    %How * envy you' * have never left our shores and would dearly love to travel to see all those

     places *)ve read so much about in books. 9ow that * am without encumbrance * may well do so.%

    !he Viscount noticed his aunt returning and although he would have liked to remain conversinglonger reluctantly got to his feet.

    %:an * persuade you to partner me in a dance $rs. towen2%

    %* shall be delighted sir but first * must be sporting enough to give your dear aunt the

    opportunity of retrieving some of her losses% she responded gesturing to the pile of gold

    sovereigns at her elbow.

    %Until later then ma)am.%

    His aunt watched him re-enter the ballroom thinking it a highly fortunate circumstance that she

    had been called away at such an auspicious moment. !hings could not have worked out better 

    had they been contrived'

    %(id my nevvy keep you entertained my dear2%

    %$oderately so ma)am. ,our deal * believe.%

    0eaching for the pack Lady #arnsdale dealt two new hands. %He arrived in town earlier today.

    #een with those confounded brats of his if * know anything.%

    5mily raised puzzled eyes from the contemplation of the cards in her hand. %#rats2%

    %* call )era that.% Lady #arnsdale snorted loudly. %He calls them his children. "icks them up all

    over the place.% he shook her head.

    %$ad' He ought to leave them where they are. #ut oh no not Linford' He takes them into his

    home feeds clothes and would you believe educates the little blighters.%

    5mily regarded her companion in stunned silence for a moment.. %&re you seriously trying to tell

    me ma)am that your nephew takes his---that he has children at his home2%

    %9o not his home precisely but nearby. He)s installed them in the house his wife grew up in

    only a few miles from Linford Hall.% he glanced down at her cards thereby missing the angry

    flash in her young friend)s large eyes. %0ather surprised to see him here tonight. 1hen * visited

    him earlier he was in a very pensive mood. He)s decided to have another stab at trying to

    discover what became of that wife of his.%

    %* understood you to say that she was dead ma)am.% Lady #arnsdale shrugged. %*t)s what * think.

    &fter all 5mily what other e/planation could there possibly be for her not returning2%

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    Her young friend looked steadily across the table at her. %he might not consider the position of 

    Viscountess Linford as such a privileged one.%

    %*f that)s the case what on earth is he to do if he does find her2%

    %(ivorce presents itself as the best option for such a mismatched pair.%

    %,es but will he2% Lady #arnsdale)s sigh was audible. %He)s more likely to take her back to

    Linford Hall and try to make a go of it.%

    !his drew a gurgle of laughter from her young companion. %"erhaps the lady in question 4ust

    might have a thing or two to say on that score ma)am. * recall your telling me that she was a

    simple very biddable girl but people change Henrietta. *f she had had the least desire to return

    she would have done so by now. *t stands to reason that she has made a new life for herself and

    one moreover with which she must be content.%

    %,ou)re a sensible girl 5mily.% Lady #arnsdale smiled fondly at her.

    %&nd you may very well )be right. * shall always feel indebted to 0achel. Her disappearance

    changed him almost overnight from a thoughtless care-for-nobody into a sensible considerate

    man. 0achel was the making of him though she will probably never know it.%

    Her smile was replaced by a worried frown. %#ut he still possesses a determined stubborn

    streak a characteristic of generations of the :arlton male. :allous though it might sound *

    should feel much easier in my mind if he does discover that she has died.%

    %*t is quite evident to me ma)am that you are worrying unnecessarily and it is equally evident

    that you have lost interest in the game for * have won yet again. * suggest therefore that werepair to the other room.%

    !heir emergence was noted by several persons including Viscount Linford who had been for 

    several minutes conversing with $r. :heffingham.

    %&h' o you)ve met her have you2% :heffy watched as the younger man)s eyes followed the

    lovely widow)s progress across the room.

    %0avishing creature ain)t she Linford2 #een causing many a male heart to flutter since her 

    arrival in town. #ut the mysterious $rs. towen shows no interest in any man.%

    !he Viscount drew his eyes away from his aunt)s companion and fi/ed them on :heffy)s 4ovial

    face. %1hat makes you call her mysterious2%

    %1ell m)boy nobody seems to know anything about her. &nd the name towen--never come

    across it before' he)s deep that one. 0eminds me of an iceberg.%

    %* found her charming not cold in the least.%

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    %&in)t talking about cold m)boy. #ut ain)t icebergs those things with more below the surface than

    above2 $ore totem than meets the eye.

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    Chapter Two

    "eplow sniffed loudly as he stared down at the coarse-looking individual cluttering the recently

    swept front steps. Had his master not informed him to e/pect a caller at noon precisely and to

    admit him without delay he would have had no hesitation whatsoever in ordering a person of 

    such low birth to use the service entrance.

    His many years with the :arlton family had however left its mark and he obeyed his lordship)s

    instructions without question. howing the caller whose broken nose indicated possible

     pugilistic tendencies into the library where his lordship sat awaiting him behind his desk he

    furnished the )visitor) with a glass of brandy before quietly leaving the room.

    !he Viscount too sub4ected his caller to a swift appraisal. However unlike "eplow he was

    immediately struck by the keen intelligence behind the grey eyes and suspected that those same

    eyes were assessing him with equal swiftness.

    %,ou received my letter $r. tubbs% he began %so you must have some idea of the profoundly

    difficult task * am asking you to undertake. &nd honesty prompts me to admit that * do not hold

    out much hope of a successful outcome.% Henry tubbs said nothing only delved into the pocket

    of his rough homespun 4acket to draw out a notebook. %&h yes' ,our young bride disappeared

    some si/ years ago a mere si/ weeks after the wedding took place leaving your ancestral abode

    you believe in the evening but her absence wasn)t discovered until the following day.%

    %* know it appears strange tubbs but when * tell you my wife was a very solitary girl who

    spent most of her time alone in her room reading then you might begin to understand the reason

     behind the delay7 & maid discovered her absence the following morning but as her bed appeared

    to have been slept in no alarm was raised.

    %!here was a distant cousin of mine a $iss $atilda :artland residing at the Hall at the time

    and she thought my wife had merely gone out for a walk. *t wasn)t until the afternoon was well

    advanced that my cousin became an/ious and set up a search.%

    His lordship paused for a moment to sip his wine his e/pression thoughtful. %*t)s my belief my

    wife didn)t sleep in her bed that night but left the house undetected in the early evening. 1here

    she did in fact sleep * have no way of knowing but the following day early in the forenoon

    she was taken up 4ust west of aroborough by a carrier.

    %He brought her to London setting her down at Holbom late in the evening. He watched her stop

    at a corner and speak to a man. !hen she set off in an westerly direction. &nd that was the last

    anyone saw of her.%

    %&part from your good self had she any relatives or friends living here my lord2%

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    %9umerous relatives yes. #ut her father had no dealings with his family and * know she did not

    seek shelter with any one of them. 9or did she attempt to make contact with her mother who

    was in *reland at the time. 1hen eventually the lady did respond to my letter she assured me

    that she had not set eyes on her daughter since the day she left her former husband)s house twelve

    years before.

    %0achel did not seek refuge either with her mother)s elder sister Lady !orrington who did in

    fact reside in London but who has since died.% 3nce again he became thoughtful then went on

    %&lthough Lady !orrington was very concerned about her niece certainly more so than the girl)s

    mother appeared to be she had been denied all contact since the child was four years old. *t)s

    unlikely therefore that 0achel would have realised that she had an aunt.%

    %!hen it)s safe to assume my lord bearing in mind she was heading west that she was coming

    here to you.%

    %!hat possibility certainly occurred to me but if that had indeed been her intention she never arrived.% !he Viscount looked directly across the desk into the e/-0unner)s shrewd eyes. %* left

    the house on that particular night at eleven o)clock and did not return until the following

    morning. $y butler assured me that no one called and * do not doubt his word.%

    3nce again $r. tubbs referred to his notes. %,ou tell me you had the 0unners on the case but

    they came up with nothing. &lso you placed advertisements in newspapers throughout the land

    offering a substantial reward for information leading to your wife)s safe return.%

    Lord Linford nodded. %* had some response but every sighting proved bogus. &s the months

     passed * began to think she must be dead and yet...% He raised his eyes from the contemplation

    of the liquid in his glass. %*n all probability my wife is dead but * would like proof. * was an only

    child and would certainly wish the fruits of my own loins to succeed me therefore * need an

    heir.%

    %Very understandable my lord. &s you)ve said yourself after all hese years it +* l be no easy task

     but Henry tubbs ain)t a man to turn his back on a challenge. * must pay a call at #ow treet---

    see if any of my old colleagues remembers anything about the case. #ut first * +* l 4ust 4ot down

    a few particulars. How old is your wife my lord2%

    %he was si/teen when she disappeared.%

    %!hat would make her now two and twenty. &nd * +* l need a description of the young lady7)

    !he Viscount groaned inwardly. *t really was hopeless. o hopeless in fact that he came

     perilously close to telling the man seated opposite to forget the whole thing but checked himself 

    at the last moment.

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    %* remained with my wife for a mere five weeks after our marriage took place and after all these

    years my recollection is hazy but what * can tell you is that she had green eyes and her hair her 

    hair was sort of--er-brownish in color.%

    %(ark...2 $id.. 2 Light brown2%

    %$id to---or--dark * think.%

    %Height2%

    %he was average height. Her head reached my shoulder. o yes average height. &nd she was a

    trifle on the plump side.%

    $r. tubbs)s shoulders shook. %(on)t mean a thing m +* ord. $y daughter #essie was a plump

    little pigeon at that age. "uppy fat my good lady calls it. #ut #essie)s as slender as can be now.%

    He scratched his grizzled head. %!he trouble with the ladies m +* ord they can change their 

    appearance so easily ye their hair paint their faces.%

    !he Viscount sighed audibly. %1e)re balked from the start tubbs and you know it.%

    %9o such thing sir'% the e/-0unner countered before tossing the contents of his glass down his

    throat and rising to his feet. %*)d like at some point to take a trip into Hampshire with you and

    have a talk with folk who knew your wife well. #ut * +* l start my enquiries here. * +* l be in

    touch but don)t e/pect to hear from me for a week or two.%

    &s soon as $r. tubbs had been shown out the Viscount ordered his curricle and pair to be

     brought round from the mews and within half an hour was wending his way through the busy

    London streets heading towards Hyde "ark.

    *t was long before the fashionable hour when the cream of ociety showed itself abroad but as

    he saw when he turned his spirited pair into the gateway the park was far from deserted.

    &fter a leisurely circuit stopping from time to time to converse with several acquaintances he

    was heading back towards the gateway when a slender figure on the grass walking with her 

    maid caught his attention and he drew up alongside.

    %1hy $rs. towen' ortune has favoured me this day' ,ou have recovered from your headache

    * trust2%

    he came to stand beside the curricle and smiled up at him. %,es quite recovered my lord and

    very much en4oying this wonderful $ay sunshine.%

    Her loveliness lost nothing in what for many women was the cruel light of day. he looked

    enchanting in her green walking dress and fashionable bonnet those gorgeous mahogany-colored

    locks peeking from beneath its rim.

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    %:an * not persuade you to take a drive with me $rs. towen2 &s you say it)s a lovely afternoon

    and ought to be en4oyed.%

    %* should like to very much sir but unfortunately cannot leave my maid to find her way back to

    Upper 1irepole treet alone. he knows London so very little you see and your curricle was

    hardly designed for three persons.%

    %9o indeed. o * have a far better solution.% He turned to his groom perched on the back. %

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    %rom $r. :heffingham * do not doubt% she cut in her smile returning. %1icked of me really

     but when * met your aunt for the first time * did say that my husband was no longer with me.

    1hich is perfectly true. 1e live quite separate lives and are content to have it so. #ut * admit *

    did know my remark would be misconstrued. However Henrietta now knows that my husband is

    still alive but has promised not to betray my secret.%

    %* do not consider myself slow-witted ma)am but * do not immediately perceive your reason for 

    wanting people to think you a widow.%

    %!hat is because you)re a man sir.%

    %*)m e/tremely gratified that you recognise me as such% he responded drily drawing forth a

    delightful gurgle of laughter from his highly amused companion.

    %#elieve me my lord there was never any doubt in my mind on that score. #ut to be serious for 

    a moment. * came to London for;for several reasons. 1idowhood shrouds me in a positive fog

    of respectability whereas were it to become common knowledge that * live quite apart from my

    husband estranged for some years it would give rise to a deal of speculation. &nd * have no

    desire whatsoever to be the ob4ect of every addle-pated gossip-monger)s vulgar con4ecture.%

    Having had e/perience of this himself years before when his wife had mysteriously disappeared

    Lord Linford could quite understand her reasoning and smiled to himself. %* do not consider 

    myself amongst their number. ,our secret is safe with me ma)am.%

    3nce again he had to force himself to concentrate on the road ahead his dark brows drawn

    together in puzzlement. How any man who had the great good fortune to have such a lovely

    creature for his wife could allow her to live quite separate from him defied understanding.

    !he husband must be totally demented he decided unless of course he was old and infirm and

    the physical side of marriage was no longer of interest to him. #ut even so she was intelligent

    enough to stimulate him mentally if she could no longer do so physically.

    His curiosity got the better of him and he found himself asking %*s your husband many years

    your senior ma)am2%

    %He is somewhat older than *--yes sir.%

    %Have you lived apart for very long2%

    %3h yes. or several years now.%

    &gain his brows drew together. %,ou must have been married very young2%

    %& veritable babe my lord'% !his time her laugh was mirthless. %ar far too young to be tied to

    such a loathsome dissipated rogue.% &t his shocked e/pression she turned her head away

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    thereby hiding the glinting amusement in her large green eyes and caught sight of a lady

    mounted on a lovely dapple mare %1hat a darling creature' * wish * could have brought irefly

    with me.%

    %,ou en4oy that form of e/ercise2% he enquired politely though still somewhat scandalised by

    her shocking disclosures.

    %Very much so. * ride most every day when at home. irefly is a darling filly but has a tendency

    to be skittish at times. he would not have coped with London)s hustle and bustle at all well and

    it would have been cruel to bring her here.%

    %!hen might * suggest that you make use of one of my hacks. * keep several horses here in

    London one of which is suitable for a lady to ride. ,ou are welcome to make use of him

    whenever you wish.%

    %!hat is most kind my lord but * couldn)t possibly presume on your generosity after so short

    an-%

    %(on)t be commonplace ma)am'% he cut in sharply and then smiled at the unmistakable flash of 

    anger in her eyes %#elieve me the arrangement would be to our mutual benefit. $y horses do

    not get nearly as much e/ercise as they require. o we +* l take it as settled. * +* l call on you--

    shall we say at noon tomorrow2%

    %* really ought not to accept but your kind offer is so very tempting. * do miss my daily ride.%

    %8ive in to temptation ma)am% he urged gently. %,ou +* l en4oy it.%

    He tooled his curricle round London for perhaps half an hour pointing out various landmarks tohis interested companion before reluctantly returning her to her home bringing his bays to a halt

     before a house situated about halfway down Upper 1impole treet.

    %!hank you my lord. !hat was most en4oyable. * am quite sensible of the fact that it is

    something of an honour to be taken up by one of London)s most famous whips. 5verything *

    e/perience after this will *)m sure seem quite tame in comparison.%

    %* want none of your flattery my girl'% he returned an appreciative smile curling his lips at her 

    impish teasing as he offered her a gentle helping hand to alight. %Until tomorrow.%

    He returned to 8rosvenor quare in a very contented mood the depression of the morning

    having completely lifted. He tooled his curricle round to the mews and entered his house a few

    minutes later to be met by his faithful retainer who informed him somewhat ruefully that a

    visitor awaited him in the library.

    !he Viscount)s brows rose. %#ut did you not e/plain to him that you were unaware of when *

    would return2%

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    %* did my lord. #ut %she% insisted upon waiting.%

    %* see. How long has my aunt been here2%

    %& little under half an hour sir% "eplow answered relieving his master of hat and gloves before

    opening the library door for him.

    %$y dear Hetta. &nd to what do * owe the pleasure of this une/pected visit2%

    %9o reason in particular.% he tossed the 4ournal which she had been reading aside and watched

    him seat himself in his favourite winged-chair. %,ou left the ball so abruptly last night that * had

    no time to ask if you will be attending Lady omerville)s drum tomorrow evening.%

    %* have not received an invitation.%

    %* know that. he didn)t realise until last night that you had arrived in town and asked me to

    invite you. 1ill you go2%

    %"erhaps% was his non-committal response. %1ill $rs. towen be attending2%

    %9aturally. & young widow who is both lovely and well bred is invited everywhere.%

    %& widow2% 3ne black brow rose mockingly. %:ome come my very dear Hetta.%

    %3h * sec. he)s confided in you has she2%

    %*ndeed she has% he admitted. %* had the great good fortune in coming across her in the park 

    earlier and offered her a seat in my curricle.%

    He paused and stared across at her consideringly. %,ou seem inordinately fond of that young

    woman Hetta. ,ou +* l forgive me for saying so but it isn)t like you to take a complete stranger 

    under your wing. Lovely though she undoubtedly is * suspect it is your sponsorship which opens

    the doors to ociety for her.%

    %*nitially perhaps% she conceded %but not now. ,ou know yourself Linford that ociety for the

    most part is peopled by fools. candal and intrigue are its gods. &nd 5mily towen is certainly a

    mystery a 4uicy morsel to be chewed over and savoured.%

    He frowned slightly. %,es there)s certainly more to that young woman than meets the eye% he

    agreed remembering his conversation with :heffy. %&nd strange too the way you met. ainting

    in the path of your carriage--rather odd don)t you think2%

    Lady #arnsdale raised her eyes heavenwards. %,ou had that from :heffy * don)t doubt. 1ell for 

    your information Linford she didn)t faint. he caught the heel of her shoe in her gown and

    tumbled. !here)s nothing strange in that. (one it myself a score of times' * do not deny that at the

    time * wasn)t best pleased and took her roundly to task for her clumsiness.%

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    he chuckled at the memory. %(on)t be fooled by that fragile femininity of hers 9evvy 0ounded

    on me like a virago he wasn)t blessed with that color hair for nothing you know.%

    o darling 5mily was blessed with a temper was she2 1ell he ought to have guessed that he

    mused recalling the unveiled flash of anger in her eyes when he had been mildly reproving

    earlier.

    %,es she)s certainly a very intriguing little darling. * think it behooves me to become better 

    acquainted with her. 5mily towen will provide 4ust the stimulating companionship * need to

    help me while away the time whilst * remain in London.% #ut even as he said it he knew that the

    reason he had given for pursuing his acquaintanceship was far from the truth.

    !he following day he arrived at Upper 1impole treet 4ust before noon.

    He was admitted to the house by a middle-aged butler who led the way up a narrow flight of 

    stairs and showed him into a small parlour overlooking the street.

    He stared about him frowning slightly at the solid but drab furnishings. 3n one wall hung a

     painting a portrait of a woman richly clad in the fashions worn during the previous century

    which seemed strangely out of place in its cheerless surroundings.

    He heard a faint click and swung round to find 5mily framed in the doorway a smile of 

    amusement hovering about her mouth.

    %&dmiring the richness of my home2% she quizzed. His rueful e/pression betrayed him. %Like the

     portrait here you seem strangely incongruous in such surroundings.%

    %1hy thank you. * shall take that as a compliment.% 5legantly attired in a stylish bottle-greenhabit with a cascade of white lace foaming at her throat she came slowly towards him. %!he

     place is not to my taste * +* l admit. #ut * can scarcely blame my man of business who hired it

    on my behalf for the duration of the eason. * left it rather late in deciding to come to London

    and the properties in the more fashionable areas had been snapped up months before. *t did have

    one advantage however. !he gentleman who owns the house was prepared to leave it fully

    staffed whilst he travelled abroad which has been of immense benefit to me.%

    His lordship nodded as he glanced at the portrait once more. %&nd the painting--was that left

    here too2%

    %9o sir. * brought that with me from omerset. Like my maid &lice it is something * cannot

     bear to be parted from for very long.%

    He caught the unmistakable note of sadness in her voice and looked at her searchingly. %&

    relative of yours ma)am2%

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    %* called her aunt but Lady &nne wasn)t a relation of mine. he did however rear me you might

    say. he nurtured me-remolded me. he was the only human being * have ever truly loved.% Her 

    eyes sparkled but this time with unshed tears. %he died last autumn ... and the pain of loss is

    still as strong as ever.%

    he shook her head as though trying to shake off a melancholy that threatened to engulf herthen said with a decisiveness that characterised her %:ome sir. !he past with all its memories

     both happy and sad cannot be altered-but a lovely new day awaits us and * am eager for my

    ride.%

    he led the way down the stairs and out into the street e/claiming over the fine mount that he

    had brought for her to ride. he allowed him to toss her effortlessly into the saddle and they rode

    along side by side with his lordship)s groom at a discreet distance behind.

    Long before they had reached the park the Viscount had satisfied himself that she was a very

    fine horsewoman. he sat the hack with effortless grace handling the mount with easycompetence her light hands deceptively in full control of the far-from-sluggish bay.

    !hey drew no little attention from the passers-by and she remarked on this as they entered the

     park %&nyone would think we were a pair of fairground freaks my lord'%

    He smiled. %London is not accustomed to seeing me ride ma)am. $ore often than not * take the

    curricle whenever * venture forth.%

    %*n that case it is apparent that * have deprived you of your favourite pastime sir.% he cast him

    one of those teasing looks to which he was rapidly growing accustomed. %#ut do not e/pect me

    to apologize for you did offer. 9o% she amended %insisted would be more accurate would itnot2 or all your aunt talks of you often she omitted to inform me of the forceful--* might go so

    far as to say bullying---nature you possess.%

    %*f * do possess a bullying nature then *)m glad of it. *t has provided me with the pleasure of 

    your company again. &nd do not deny ma)am that you are en4oying your ride.%

    %* shouldn)t dream of it% she told him primly. %#ut do not resort to your cavalier tactics too

    often my lord. * do not respond at all well to force and might retaliate.%

    He laughed outright at this drawing more eyes to glance in their direction but he was oblivious

    to the stares6 she held his full attention.

    he really was an adorable creature. !easing and fun-loving she was sheer 4oy to be with. He

    could quite understand why his aunt liked her so much. He liked her6 had been attracted to her 

    from the first.

     9o there was more to it than that much more than 4ust a man)s natural desire for a beautiful

    woman. or some obscure reason he felt strangely drawn to her. 1as she a kindred spirit

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     perhaps2 !hat might well prove to be the case6 but common sense told him that their friendship

    would be of short duration only and would of necessity need to be terminated once the eason

    was over7 she to go her way6 he to go his.

    He was e/perienced enough and wise enough to keep aright rein on sentiment and would part

    when the time came with pleasant memories and a whole heart he decided sublimely ignoringthat tiny voice of reason that warned him that level-headedness and e/perience were poor 

    weapons when pitted against the strong pull of attraction and the powerful hold of those more

    tender emotions.

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    Chapter Three

    Lord Linford drew his eyes away from the actors on the stage and fi/ed his gaze on the slender 

    white neck of the lady sitting slightly to the right and in front of him. How lovely she looked

    tonight dressed as she was in a rich red gown with a beautiful necklace of rubies and diamonds

    adorning her swanlike neck.

    $ost women with hair that color could never wear red but on 5mily it looked wonderful... #ut

    then he reminded himself she always looked magnificent no matter what she wore.

    He withdrew his gaze for a few moments allowing his eyes to wander over the bo/es on the

    opposite side of the theatre and smiled. 1hen they had taken their seats they had been the

    cynosure of all eyes but he had grown accustomed to that during the past few weeks.

     9o matter whether tidings together in the park or swirling round a dance floor they had always

    attracted a deal of attention and had given rise to a deal of con4ecture he mused his smile

    widening.

    !he curtain came down on the first act and Lady #arnsdale 4oined in the rousing applause. %1as

    that not e/cellent2% she e/claimed as she too gazed across the theatre. %* do believe the

    delightful Lady 0ayne is trying to gain your attention Linford% she informed him as the acclaim

    died away. %(o go over to her bo/ and see what she wants. ,ou can take :heffy with you.%

    miling crookedly Linford obediently rose to his feet. %:ome :heffy. 1e have received our 

    congo.%

    %5h what)s that you say...2 3h right m)boy. *)m with you. :ould do with stretching my legs.%

    %* do believe the old fraud was asleep% Lady #arnsdale opined when the gentlemen had left the

     bo/.

    %1ell ma)am you did sort of bully him into coming.% 5mily offered in his defence.

    %(o him good. He spends far too much time at the gaming tables. #esides * wasn)t prepared to

    come with 4ust you and Linford. $akes me look like a chaperon.%

    %*)m in no need of a chaperon Hetta. *)m quite capable of looking after myself. &nd Linford

     poses absolutely no threat to me--* assure you.%

    Lady #arnsdale frowned in puzzlement. &lthough the words had been spoken lightly enough she

    suspected they contained some hidden meaning. !urning her head she gazed into the bo/

    opposite which her nephew had 4ust entered and her frown vanished.

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    3h but wasn)t he being circumspect' he could have laughed aloud6 only by e/ercising the

    firmest control did she prevent herself from doing so.

    5ven though he paid 5mily a vast amount of attention it appeared that only a strong friendship

    had blossomed between them. "erhaps he had managed to hoodwink ociety as a whole but he

    could not fool her and she wondered whether he realised himself 4ust how deep his feelingstowards 5mily went.

    &gain she became thoughtful. 3f her lovely young friend)s state of mind she was not so sure.

    !hat she en4oyed Linford)s society was patently obvious but equally apparent was her seeming

    indifference to whether he was in her company or not. Lady #arnsdale frowned slightly over this.

    &dded to which 5mily never spoke of him when he was not present.

    *f his name had been brought up in the conversation at all it had been she herself who had

    raised it odd that she mused. 1as it simply a case of out of sight out of mind2 3r was 5mily

    merely trying to be sensible by keeping her emotions firmly in check as there was no possiblehope of a deeper relationship developing2

    !herein lay the cru/ of the matter she knew. Linford was still determined to discover what had

     become of his wife6 and even if he should discover that she had died 5mily was still not free to

    marry him. he released her breath in a faint sigh. ate could be so cruelly un4ust' Here were two

    young people absolutely made for each other yet both were locked in loveless disastrous

    marriages.

    %* have en4oyed this evening so very much% 5mily said breaking into her friend)s depressing

    thoughts. %*n fact * have en4oyed the whole of the eason and think it a pity that it must soon

    come to an end.%

    Lady #arnsdale)s smile returned. %&nd so have * my dear. * have not had such a pleasurable time

    for years and feel quite depressed at the prospect of leaving you at the end of the week.%

    %&h yes' * have been meaning to speak to you about that% 5mily responded rubbing her fingers

    lightly over a tiny crease in her lovely gown. %!he invitation still holds * should like very much

    to attend your niece)s 1edding and spend a little time with you at your home before * return to

    omerset.%

    Lady #arnsdale was delighted. hortly after they had first met she had invited 5mily to stay

    with her but had received a non-committal response. %9othing would give me more pleasure. *n

    fact if you have no desire to remain in London for &lmack)s closing ball ne/t week why not

    accompany me back to urrey2 *t will save you the hire of a carriage and the 4ourney will be

    more pleasurable with a companion.%

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    %&n admirable suggestion'% 5mily smiled that glowing smile which made her look so

    ridiculously young that it was difficult to believe she was a married woman in her twenties. %*

    have no desire to see the eason through to its end. *t is time * was leaving London.%

    &gain Lady #arnsdale became thoughtful. How little she knew of this vibrant young woman. *n

    fact she knew little more about her now than she had a week after their first encounter. :heffyhad often referred to 5mily as mysterious. he had frequently twitted him over it but now began

    to think that he might not be so wrong after all.

    he was given no opportunity however to begin any inquisition even had )she been so inclined

    for the door to their bo/ opened and until the curtain was about to rise on the second act they

    were visited by a never-ending procession of young gentlemen who had eyes only for 5mily

    and several old friends of her own.

    *t was not until the intermission before the final act therefore that she was able to inform her 

    nephew of 5mily)s decision to leave London at the end of the week.

    3nly for an instant did his handsome countenance betray disappointment then he smiled. %he

    will be company for you Hetta. &nd even though you will be depriving me of hers * promise *

    shan)t hold it against you.%

    :ommon sense had warned that 5mily)s departure was bound to happen sooner or later but a

    lowness of spirits suddenly descended upon him.

    1hen the play finally came to an end he saw the ladies safely installed in his elegant town

    carriage with :heffy as escort and then set off on foot to his club.

    He remained at 1hite)s for an hour or so before setting off on foot again in a northerly direction.

    "resently he entered a small but fashionable dwelling in a quiet part of the city. !he servant

    who admitted him displayed not the least surprise at seeing him on the doorstep at such a late

    hour. Handing over his hat and cloak the Viscount mounted the narrow flight of stairs and

    quietly entered a brightly furnished apartment on the first floor.

    #ranches of candles were strategically positioned so that most of their light was cast upon the

    figure of his mistress reclining gracefully on the ornately carved chaise longue. Her guinea-gold

    curls were loosely dressed and lay cares singly on her shapely rounded shoulders. Her eyelids

    were closed but she was not asleep for the fingers of her left hand were gently stroking the

    overfed pug lying beside her.

    uddenly she opened her large limpid blue eyes wide and said with every vestige of surprise

    %1hy (ominic' * was not e/pecting you tonight.%

    He moved slowly towards her his smile faintly mocking. %* did not realise my dear that *

    needed an appointment.%

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    Her red painted lips pouted prettily up at him as he removed her pet whose low growl made

    clear its displeasure at being so rudely thrust on to the floor. &ltering her position slightly to

    allow him to sit beside her sent her frothy pink negligee which did nothing to hide her ample

    charms sliding from one white shoulder.

    (esire leapt into his violet eyes. or a few minutes he kissed her long and hungrily before liftingher pliant sensual body into his arms and carrying her into the bedchamber.

    His e/pert lovemaking left them both e/hausted7 she to sleep soundly6 but he surprisingly to

    stare blindly at the silken canopy above his head. His bodily needs had been assuaged and yet he

    felt strangely unfulfilled. !he first light of a new day began to filter through the window and he

    turned his head to stare at the woman sleeping peacefully beside him. !he tangled bed covers had

    slipped down e/posing her full breasts.

    3n all other occasions the sight of her feminine charms had never failed to arouse him afresh

     but this time nothing within him stirred not even the desire to caress her again. he possessed awell-rounded pleasing figure now he thought but if she wasn)t very careful in a few years she

    would end up like that pampered lap-dog of hers7 fat and unappealing.

    0aising himself on one elbow he gazed about the bedchamber. *n the soft glow of flickering

    candle-light the furnishings had looked rich and warm but in the revealing light of day he found

    ophia)s taste faintly tawdry. 5ven her e/pensive perfume which the night before he had found

    so into/icating seemed cheap and overpowering.

    He released his breath in a long sigh. He was so tired of this life he led7 keeping one mistress

    until he grew weary of her and then moving on to the ne/t. He wanted a wife ... no more than

    that---a friend a helpmate to walk beside him through life to share in its 4oys and its sorrows.

    His eyes returned to his mistress once again6 but it was not guinea-gold curls and a full sensual

    mouth he saw but a delicately featured face with a mat of rich red hair fanning itself out across

    the pillow towards him. Had he been a callow youth he would have believed himself to be

    infatuated. He was however no impressionable boy and he could deny the simple truth no

    longer.

    or the first time in his life he had fallen deeply in love. &t last he had found that one woman

    with whom he wished to spend the rest of his life though she was married and so--8od help

    him'--was he.

    #ut even these obstacles to their happiness were not insurmountable. He and 5mily belonged

    together. !hey were so right for each other so suited in every way. &nd nothing and no one least

    of all his errant wife and her obviously uncaring husband would keep them apart'

    1ithout rousing the woman beside him he rose from the bed hurriedly put on his clothes and

    quietly let himself out of the house. !he early morning air was coolly refreshing after the stifling

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    atmosphere of the bedchamber but he could still discern ophia)s sickly-sweet perfume clinging

    to him like a second skin and wrinkled his nose in distaste.

    !heir liaison was definitely at an end6 there was no room in his life for any woman now but one.

    &nd ophia had no cause to repine. Her reign had been short certainly a mere few months but

    he had been generous and was prepared to allow her the use of the house until the lease e/pired.#y which time he did not doubt she would have found herself a new protector.

    His arrival at 8rosvenor quare coincided with the rising of his household. Letting himself into

    the house by way of the front door he saw his impassive butler descending the stairs and

    demanded the bath in his dressing-room be filled as soon possible.

    ometime later refreshed and free from that overpowering scent he returned downstairs and

    was in the process of consuming a hearty breakfast when "eplow entered the parlour his

    countenance wooden.

    %!he individual who came to see you a little under a month ago my lord has returned.% He

    sniffed. %* have shown him into the library.%

    !he Viscount)s lips twitched. Loyal and diligent his butler might be but he really was an

    unmitigated snob. %!ell $r. tubbs * shall be with him shortly% he said pleasantly but the instant

    the door had closed behind "eplow he frowned.

    He had heard nothing from the e/-0unner since their first meeting. Had tubbs discovered

    something at last2 he wondered. 3r had he merely come to say that any continuance of the

    investigations into Lady Linford)s disappearance was futile2 &s he entered the library a few

    minutes later he could not quell the hope that it was the latter admission his visitor had come toimpart.

    %8ood to see you tubbs% he said not quite truthfully but sounding genuine enough. %Have you

    some news for me2%

    %,es sir. * believe * have.%

    !he Viscount invited his visitor to resume his seat before seating himself opposite. %1hat have

    you discovered2% he enquired but with a decided lack of enthusiasm.

    %* paid a visit to #ow treet% the e/-0unner began %but the officers who had worked on the casecould tell me little more than you had already. 3ne aspect of this business had puzzled me from

    the start. &part from the carrier who dropped your young wife in Holborn no one appeared to

    have seen her.

    %& female walking our streets at night alone isn)t uncommon especially amongst those engaged

    in a---er--certain profession. #ut your young wife *)m sure wouldn)t have been taken for a

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    woman of easy virtue. 9o she was dressed in a plain grey cloak and gown. Hardly the raiment of 

    a lady of the night.%

    %1ell2% his lordship prompted.

    %* began to ponder on who might have been likely to see her. 1ho at that time of night wouldnotice a young female abroad on her own2% He looked directly into the Viscount)s fine eyes

    %Hackney carriage drivers my lord. !hey)re always on the look-out for a likely fare before

    calling it a night. o * starts visiting those taverns many of )em frequent of an evening and sure

    enough at the 1hite Hart *nn * gets lucky.

    %& 4arvey by name o) #en Lowe recalled an incident some years back involving a young female

    on her own. He was travelling down a street near #loomsbury quare about to finish for the

    night and go home when he comes upon an accident. & girl in a dark cloak had been knocked

    down by a carriage.

    %He stopped and went over to see if he could be of help. !aken up for dead he told me. !he

    groom picks her up off the road and places her in the carriage. Lowe watched the carriage move

    off and turn left at the end of the road travelling east. He were about to return to his own

    carriage when he notices this lying on the road.%

    rom beneath his coat tubbs drew out a rag doll rather faded and decidedly the worse for wear.

    %5ver seen this before m=lord2%

    %,es * believe * have% he said slowly %or something very like. $y wife had 4ust such a doll. *t

    was one of the items missing from her room.% He raised his eyes to look at the e/-0unner keenly.

    %(ead you say. 1as the 4arvey sure2%

    tubbs)s brawny shoulders shook. %$y lord you don)t know these people like * do. !aken up for 

    dead can mean anything. !he girl might merely have fainted or been unconscious. 1hich

    wouldn)t have been in any way marvelous considering the poor lass had been knocked down.%

    %,es. ,es of course.% !he Viscount rose abruptly and began to pace the room trying to

    assimilate what he had been told. %!his carriage involved in the accident--could the 4arvey recall

    anything particular about it2 Had it perhaps a coat of arms emblazoned on its doors2%

     %* asked him that selfsame question my lord. &nd no he couldn)t say with certainty. #ut he

    recalled that it was an old but elegant vehicle pulled by a good quality team. *t contained 4ustone occupant--a lady certainly not young as he recalled but elegantly attired.%

    %1hich suggests a person of some means.%

    %*t certainly does% tubbs concurred. %&nd Lowe was in no doubt that she was a lady--well-

    spoken and very distressed by the incident. Having satisfied myself on this point * thought it

    more than likely that the unknown female would have taken the young person home and sought

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    medical help.

    %* approached several well-to-do physicians round and about that area to ask if they)d been called

    out to an accident victim on that particular night in $ay si/ years ago but to no avail. o now

    my lord * mean to start a new line of enquiry. * want to talk to those folks who knew your wife

    well. omeone she might have sought refuge with--a friend or perhaps a favoured governess.%

    >nowing far more about his wife)s formative years than the e/-0unner did the Viscount was

    decidedly sceptical but agreed to accompany tubbs into Hampshire. %* shall probably leave

    here early ne/t week.%

    tubbs got to his feet. %*=ll be ready when you are sir if you 4ust send a message to my home.

    &nd the doll sir2% he added as an afterthought turning back at the door. %(o you want to keep

    it2%

    !he Viscount smiled. %* should imagine it has been well loved since the 4arvey discovered it.%

    %,es sir. He has a daughter.%

    %!hen return it to her. *)d be a brute indeed to deprive the child of her toy.%

    tubbs)s visit had left the Viscount with much to think about. Had he not met 5mily towen he

    might have e/perienced hope and no little e/citement at the prospect of a successful outcome to

    the investigations. #ut he had met 5mily6 whether or not he ever discovered what had become of 

    0achel was a matter of complete indifference to him now.

    He ordered his curricle to be brought round from the mews and after paying a visit to those

    noted 4ewellers 0undell and #ridge went straight to Upper 1impole treet.

    5mily seated at the escritoire looked up surprised as he entered the room. etting aside the

    letter which she had been writing she rose and moved gracefully towards him. %(id we arrange

    to go riding this morning2 *f so * must apologize for it completely slipped my mind.%

    %9o my dear we did not.%

    He captured her hands holding them gently yet firmly in his own whilst his eyes devoured her 

    lovely face with its intelligent forehead and brightly sparkling eyes. (ressed demurely in

    sprigged muslin that emphasised her slender yet shapely figure she was the antithesis of the

    merely sensual woman in whose bed he had lain only hours before.

    5ven 5mily)s perfume was refined7 a delicate fragrance which reminded him of a fresh spring

    garden.

    He released his hold to delve into the pocket of his 4acket and drew out a small square bo/. %or 

    you my dear% he said softly placing the gift in her hand. %& mere token of my sincere regard.%

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    he looked briefly into his eyes betraying both surprise and uncertainty in her own before

    opening the bo/ to reveal a glistening brooch a circlet of rubies and diamonds.

    %$y lord it--it)s beautiful. #ut * cannot possibly accept such a--%

    %3f course you can% he interrupted gently and lifting the brooch from its bed of velvet pinned itto the bodice of her gown. %,esterday evening we had little opportunity for private conversation.

    $y aunt bless her is a dear but there are times * could wish her at

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    sir are a prime e/ample of the se/ * despise. &nd if in the future * should be misguided enough

    to take a lover * assure you that you are the very last--)

    %5nough madam.'% he cut in sharply his eyes as coldly disdainful as her own. %* see now *

    have been grossly at fault.% 8athering together the shreds of his dignity he bowed with less than

    usual grace. %*f * have caused you distress or embarrassment by coming here this day then * ask your pardon and shall relieve you of my unwanted presences.%

    He left without another word stalking from the house his body rigid with barely suppressed

    rage. !he breakneck speed with which he returned to 8rosvenor quare left the young groom in

    no doubt as to his master)s state of mind.

     9or was "eplow under any illusions when the Viscount stormed across the hall and into the

    library slamming the door closed behind him with such violence that the vase placed on the

    nearby table looked in danger of toppling to the floor.

    !he stiff brandy his lordship poured himself brought little solace but after half an hour or so

    during which time he pulled 5mily)s character to shreds bestowing upon her every epithet that

    sprang to his ever-fertile mind from a conniving strumpet to a cold-hearted vi/en his temper 

     began to ebb leaving him bitterly resentful and deeply hurt.

    *f only she had given him the opportunity to e/plain' He reached for the decanter again his hand

    not quite steady and carried it over to his desk. eating himself he poured out yet another drink

    and sighed deeply. He had never considered 5mily as a possible replacement for ophia. Lord

    that had been the last thing in the world he had wanted'

    #ut for a while of course it would have been impossible for them to legalise their union.3bviously she had misunderstood completely and in truth he had not e/pressed himself very

    well. #ut she had given him no opportunity to e/plain. 9o there was more to it than that he

    realised suddenly. he had desired no e/planation. *t seemed almost as if she hated him ... but

    why2

    Had the man she had married been so cruelly uncaring that he had soured her to all other 

    members of his se/2 Had he merely used her for a while and then discarded her like an

    unwanted mistress2 !hat of course was the most obvious e/planation and yet when he had

    kissed her he could have sworn that she was a complete innocent7 untouched by any man.

    He sighed again. peculation would avail him nothing and it hardly mattered now anyway. He

    had felt hurt and humiliated when he had stormed from the house. Utter re4ection was a new

    e/perience for him and one moreover with which he had not dealt very well he conceded

    smiling ruefully.

    #ut he could not leave matters as they stood. He loved her still and even though she might never 

    return his love there was no reason why they should not in the future meet as friends.

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    He reached for a sheet of paper and began to draft a letter of e/planation and apology. &fter 

    several abortive attempts he managed to pen a missive which moderately pleased him. ealing

    the letter with a wafer he wrote out her name in bold characters and was about to write her 

    direction beneath when something suddenly struck him as rather odd. *f one rearranged the

    letters in 5mily)s surname it spelt 1eston his wife)s maiden name. %How very strange% he

    murmured 4ust as the door opened and his butler entered.

     %* am sorry to disturb you my lord but a package has 4ust been delivered with instructions that

    it be given to you at once.%

    !he Viscount his anger returning scowled down at the small square bo/ which "eplow had

     placed on the desk that confounded 4ade had the unmitigated gall to throw his gift back at him a

    second time' #e damned to her then' ophia at least would be pleased to have it. *t would serve

    as a farewell gift. !earing up his carefully penned missive he quickly wrote two brief notes

    whilst his butler waited by the desk. %Have these delivered by hand at once% he ordered. %!he

     package is to go with the second. &nd make ready ... we leave for Hampshire in the morning.%

    !he 8reen $an at Linfield wasn)t situated on one of the main post roads but was well

    maintained and always busy. !wo days later when Lord Linford entered the tap there were

    several customers leaning against the counter drinking the e/cellent home-brew for which the

    hostelry was famed.

     9odding acknowledgement to the landlord he went into the coffee room where he discovered

    his quarry sitting in one corner reading a copy of the $orning "ost.

    %8ood day to you tubbs. * trust you passed a comfortable night2 !hough why you found

    yourself unable to stay with me up at the Hall * don)t know.%

    %*t was kind of you to offer sir% the e/-0unner responded rising to his feet. %but * wouldn)t have

    learned anything there.%

    %&nd have you discovered anything2%

    %9ot much% tubbs admitted. %&s you told me no one seems to remember your wife very well

    sir. * had a chat with one or two of the locals last night. rom what * can make out her father 

    weren)t much liked.%

    (uring the 4ourney back to Hampshire the Viscount had disclosed many details of his wife)searly life so that tubbs was well prepared not to meet with a resounding success to his

    enquiries.

    %9o he wasn)t% he concurred leading the way outside into the bright morning sunshine. %1e=ll

    see what the 0everend $r. Hodges can tell us. 9ot that * e/pect him to divulge any more than he

    did si/ years ago when * first approached him about it. #ut if anyone can help he can.

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    %His house is ne/t to the church. *t)s only a short step up the road but * left my curricle at the

    stables here if you prefer to ride2% he offered as the older man walked with a slight limp.

    %>ind of you sir but * can manage the walk. !he old wound only plays me up from time to time

    and when the weather)s bad.%

    %How did you come by it2% Linford asked as they set off along the main street. %"istol wound2%

    %!hat)s right sir.% tubbs chuckled. %&ll in the line of duty as you might say. :hipped off a piece

    of bone and left the old kneecap as stiff as be damned. !hat)s why * had to leave the 0unners.

    1ell stands to reason sir they couldn)t employ a body who weren)t able-to chase after the

    villains. &nd a desk 4ob at #ow treet wouldn)t have suited Henry tubbs.%

    !he Viscount smiled at his companion)s matter-of-fact attitude. %,ou)ve certainly done well for 

    yourself since.%

    %&ye * have that. 1ould have been in a very sorry state though if it hadn)t been for the kind-hearted actions of a certain gentleman. "aid all the doctor)s fees saw to it that my wife and *

    wanted for nothing whilst * was laid up and set me up in business as you might say. ,es $r.

    0avenhurst was real good to me. 3ne of the best men * know.%

    Lord Linford)s dark brows rose sharply. %1ould that be $arcus 0avenhurst2%%

    %&ye sir. !hat)s the gent. (o you know him2%

    %,es. 1e were up at 3/ford together and used to spar at

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    Lord Linford introduced $r. tubbs and then made known the reason for their visit.

    %ad business my lord% he said solemnly before inviting them to sit down. %* do not see that *

    can be of more help than * was before but ask away gentlemen.%

    %,ou knew my wife far better than * did. *)d be grateful if you would tell $r. tubbs everythingyou remember about her.%

    %"oor little 0achel 5mily% he murmured almost to himself and the Viscount looked at him

    sharply.

    %5mily2% he echoed.

    %1hy yes my lord. :hristened her myself when she was little more than eight weeks old. weet

    little baby she was. aw something of her in those early years whilst her mother still resided up

    at the house. !hen * didn)t set eyes on her again until she was ... oh twelve thirteen. he looked

    forward to my twice-weekly visits.%

    He shook his head sadly. %!ells you something about the life she led does it not my lord when

    the poor child looked forward to having Latin and 8reek drilled into her2%

    !he Viscount did not respond to this but asked instead if there was anyone in her childhood of 

    whom she had been particularly fond and with whom she might have sought shelter.

    %(idn)t have any friends my lord e/cepting the cook and housekeeper that is.% $r. Hodges

    frowned suddenly. %9o wait a moment...' ,es there was someone one of the governesses

    engaged to teach her. he was dismissed by $r. 1eston shortly before * began my twice-weekly

    visits.%

    He looked up as the door opened and his housekeeper entered carrying refreshments on a tray.

    %$rs. 1entworth what was the name of that governess who wrote to me asking after 0achel2%

    %"rentis sir% she responded smiling faintly as she placed the tray down on to the desk and

     began to pour out the wine. %ooled the old devil good and proper there * did my lord. He

    dismissed that woman simply because little 0achel had grown fond of her. 5vil old miser' He

    ought to burn in hell for the way he treated that little mite.%

    %,es * know $r. Hodges% she went on at the reproving glance he cast her. %*t)s wrong to speak 

    ill of the dead but * can)t help the way * feel about that wicked so-and-so.%

    %1ould that be $rs. or $iss "rentis2% $r. tubbs put in before the housekeeper could continue

    her diatribe.

    %he weren)t wedded at least not then% the housekeeper replied handing him a glass of wine.

    %he was real fond of 0achel. 1rote to the girl several times but didn)t receive a reply. * reckon

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    that old demon destroyed the letters because 0achel certainly never saw them. $iss "rentis was

    that concerned she wrote to $r. Hodges here asking after the girl and he replied to the letter.%

    &gain her lips curled with satisfaction. %#ut * took $iss "rentis)s letter up to the house and gave

    it to the poor child. ,es * know $r. Hodges% she retorted as she received a further reproving

    glance from her master %deception is sinful and * knew you wouldn)t have approved and that)swhy * never let on at the time. #ut that poor mite had little enough 4oy in her life and if receiving

    a letter now and then from someone who cared about her brought a little happiness well *)m

    not sorry * did it. $iss "rentis wrote here to me my lord and * took the letters up to the house

    and dealt with the ones 0achel sent in reply.%

    %!hat was kind of you $rs. 1entworth% he told her ignoring the clergyman)s tut-tut ting %(o

    you happen to remember $iss "rentis)s direction2%

     %* haven)t received any letters from her since * wrote and told her about 0achel)s disappearance

    my lord. #ut she did find employment after she left old 1eston at a seminary in #ath. *)m sure*)ve kept a note of it somewhere. *=ll go and look.%

    %#efore you go $rs. 1entworth% he said arresting her progress to the door. %,ou appear to

    have known 0achel very well. :ould you give $r. tubbs here a description of her2 *)m afraid

    the details * furnished were to say the least vague.%

    0aising her eyes she stared at an imaginary spot on the wall behind him. %* can see the little one

    now sat at the kitchen table with the housekeeper and cook. !he image of her lovely mama she

    was with that beautiful red hair and those sparkling green eyes.%

    %0ed hair2% the Viscount echoed not hiding his consternation. %#ut $rs. 1entworth 0achel)shair was--was a sort of brownish color surely2%

    !he housekeeper stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment for several moments then burst

    out laughing. %9ow you put me in mind of it sir she did do something to her hair not long

     before you was wed. * mind she) came here to see me soon after you had returned to London. !he

    one and only time she ever set foot in this house.

    %* asked her what she)d done to herself. !hat old- devil of a father of hers was always passing

    some nasty remark about her hair. #rought back memories of his wife * suppose. o 0achel tried

    to change it bought a dye from a peddler who passed the gate one day she told me. &ssured her 

    it would turn her hair a beautiful raven-black. Lord what a color' Horrible greenish-brown it

    were. he did look a fright. &nd she)d put on a deal of weight as * recall. 9ot surprising though

    considering the cook fed her nothing but sweetmeats whenever the girl ventured down to the

    kitchen.%

    %,ou)re sure her hair was red2% $r. tubbs asked frowning dourly in the Viscount)s direction.

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    %:ourse * am' Unusual color it were. 0eal dark red not carroty-colored. &lways put me in mind

    of the table in the par lout didn)t it $i) Hodges2%

    He nodded smiling. %* am not one to take a deal of notice of a person)s outward appearance my

    lord. #ut that hair * can never forget it was the color of mahogany.%

    %3h what am * about'% the housekeeper e/claimed suddenly. %* can show you e/actly what she

    was like sir. 1hen $rs. 1eston took off all those years ago the old man ordered all her personal

     belongings destroyed. #ut the housekeeper kept a miniature of her mistress. Hid it away so the

    master wouldn)t find it. 1hen she left your service a couple of years back my lord the children

    up at the house having got too much for her she came across the miniature whilst she was

     packing and brought it here to me. &sked me to give it to 0achel if ever she returned. *=ll fetch

    it for you.%

    !he Viscount did not respond. He was in the grip of such an astonishing premonition that he did

    not even he