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Chapters (44)
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Chapter One
  6. Chapter Two
  7. Chapter Three
  8. Chapter Four
  9. Chapter Five
  10. Chapter Six
  11. Chapter Seven
  12. Chapter Eight
  13. Chapter Nine
  14. Chapter Ten
  15. Chapter Eleven
  16. Chapter Twelve
  17. Chapter Thirteen
  18. Chapter Fourteen
  19. Chapter Fifteen
  20. Chapter Sixteen
  21. Chapter Seventeen
  22. Chapter Eighteen
  23. Chapter Nineteen
  24. Chapter Twenty
  25. Chapter Twenty-One
  26. Chapter Twenty-Two
  27. Chapter Twenty-Three
  28. Chapter Twenty-Four
  29. Chapter Twenty-Five
  30. Chapter Twenty-Six
  31. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  32. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  33. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  34. Chapter Thirty
  35. Chapter Thirty-One
  36. Chapter Thirty-Two
  37. Chapter Thirty-Three
  38. Chapter Thirty-Four
  39. Chapter Thirty-Five
  40. Chapter Thirty-Six
  41. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  42. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  43. A word about the author...
  44. Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

Hugh’s first stop was Muldrow’s London lodgings. Heavy hammering on the door brought Muldrow’s butler. A sharp rebuke died on the butler’s lips when he saw the titled gentleman at the door. “Mr. Muldrow has returned to his estates, my lord.”

He eyed Hugh’s apparel. An approving smile suggested the butler wished his own master had half the address and a quarter of the style of Lord Thatcham. “Mr. Muldrow set off early this morning for Fairford Manor. He will no doubt have arrived already. Will your lordship be pleased to leave a message for his return?” The butler raised an eyebrow, clearly hoping for a clue to the business that had put Lord Thatcham in such a flurry.

“You may tell him—” Hugh stopped. He would not make Philomena the talk of the town. That would not help matters. Whatever the truth, he must avoid alerting Society. He handed his card to the butler. “You may tell your master I called and will call again in connection with a certain matter.”

The butler, disappointed, bowed Hugh out of the house. Back in the curricle, Hugh whipped up the horses for a night ride up to the shires.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

Philomena, imprisoned in Joseph’s clutches, soon gave up the struggle. The rest of the gang had disappeared with the loot from the burglary. Philomena could not see where it went. She clenched her jaw until her teeth ground together. So much for all her plans: Joseph had outwitted her this time. What did he have in store for her? She shuddered, imagination running wild. She would pay the wretch back one day.

Joseph bundled his prize into a carriage round the corner. Philomena opened her mouth to beg the driver for help, but Joseph thrust his hand over her face, crushing her lips painfully against her teeth. Her blood tasted of salt.

Joseph sneered. “You’ll get no help there.” He wiped his nose on his sleeve and cackled. “Did you think I didn’t recognise you from the start? Sitting there with a pint of beer, like some floozy. Why, you’re no lady, for all your airs and graces.”

So, Joseph had known she was there all the time. Maybe he’d left her out in the rain deliberately, as a punishment. Furious, Philomena jerked a hand free and clawed at Joseph’s face. Two long scratches blazed on his cheek. Joseph cursed and clenched his fists. Philomena winced, braced for a blow, but it did not come. Joseph contented himself with tying her hands together. He wrenched the rope tight. Her fingers throbbed.