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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.

Their arrival by carriage at Lord Wrighton’s property did not bring the simple end to the matter Hugh had expected, for Lord Wrighton was away from home.

“He has gone to London, my lord.” The housekeeper, Mrs. Barns, addressed her remarks to Hugh rather than to the constable. She had long been familiar with Lord Thatcham as a regular visitor and friend of her master.

“Then we must send for him, at once,” said the constable.

“For God’s sake, man.” Hugh was losing his temper. He spoke firmly. “I shall go home to Thatcham Hall tonight. When Lord Wrighton returns, send for me at once. You have my word that I will return.”

Stephens hesitated, licked his lips, head on one side, and then nodded. “Very well, my lord, as you give your word.” He stood back.

Hugh’s journey by train had left him without immediate transport. The constable would doubtless draw the line at lending the carriage. Hugh turned to Mrs. Barns, whose eyes could open no wider if she were to use matchsticks. “Mrs. Barns, as you can see, there is a misunderstanding. Be good enough to send round a horse, would you?”

“Oh. Yes, sir,” she murmured. “That is…” Her eyes flickered from Lord Thatcham’s face to the constable and back. Finally, deciding she would prefer not to antagonise such a powerful man as Lord Thatcham, she curtsied and ran off, full of excitement, to spread the word and obey his commands.

Hugh winced. Mrs. Barns would spare no details. The Thatcham name and reputation would soon be in tatters. He would worry about that another time. The carriage carrying Philomena to the Manor would arrive within the next hour. Hugh must get himself out of this predicament. He dashed off a note on a page from his pocketbook, folded it, scribbled a direction and thrust it at the constable. “Give this to my solicitor.”

“Yes, sir.” The constable, now thoroughly regretting the whole business, took the note and departed.

In minutes, Hugh was galloping towards the Manor, cursing the wasted time. He would not be able to forestall Philomena’s arrival.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Five

At Fairford Manor, the housekeeper took Philomena to a room on the first floor and threw the door open. “Mr. Muldrow had it decorated, special, a few years ago.”

Philomena, shaking with anger and fear, stared. The room was a bower of pink and white. Yards of netting surrounded the four-poster bed, and silk roses and satin swags draped themselves over the posts. Every chair was decorated, each piece of furniture finished in white painted curlicues, as though in the Palace of Versailles. It was a monstrosity.

“It was intended for Lady Beatrice, of course,” said the housekeeper, small black eyes fixed on Philomena. “But she never used it.”

Philomena gasped. “Lady Beatrice?”

“Oh, yes. The master had it all ready, just to her taste.”