Read Online Barbara Metzger by Lord Heartless - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lord Heartless
Ads: Link
to sell everything, the tiny lace-edged caps and the cradle she'd commissioned, everything Pippa had outgrown or could spare, to pay her coach fare. “I didn't need any of it since I was unlikely to have any more children, and there were too many years to wait for grandchildren. I would have been happy to see it used for Sue."
Lesley wondered at the sad look in Mrs. Kane's eyes. Did she miss her husband so much, still, or was she regretting the change in her circumstances? He could not keep from speculating whether she really was what she seemed, a respectable widow fallen on hard times, or a rich man's mistress. She spoke so fondly of the old gent, it was possible. And hidden behind the dreary demeanor was a spirited woman who might appeal to certain men. Not himself, of course, but Sir Gilliam might not desire a dasher.
Mrs. Kane was kind and gentle; anyone could see that from watching her with her daughter. Hell, he owed her his life for finding Maisie, for showing the maid how to change the infant's diapers. He'd have traded his gelding, his diamond stickpin, and Byrd for that alone. But there was some secret Mrs. Kane was holding, some hesitation about her past, as if she were weighing each word. He'd never trusted a woman yet, and saw no reason to take at face value all this one said, or didn't say. But he owed her. He was fairly certain she would not take money for her efforts, but Mrs. Kane had a small, doe-eyed weak spot. She'd never deny her daughter some toys and books, and Lesley knew right where there were cartloads.
"Now that I think on it, the attics at Hammond House must be full of baby things, for my mother never threw anything out. I know all my old toys are still in the nursery. Agatha, my father's second wife, would never exert herself to climb to the upper stories, so I am sure everything is exactly where my mother left it."
"Excellent. Then all you have to do is go over there with a wagon."
Byrd slapped his knee. “Aye, and listen to a lecture on your wicked ways. Lud, I can't wait to hear you tell Lady Hartleigh you're outfitting an infant"
"I was hoping she'd hear of it through the gossip vine and wash her hands of me entirely.” For Carissa's benefit he explained, “The woman is a carping shrew who uses her health as an excuse for her bad behavior. As much as she deplores my style of living, Agatha still has hopes of haranguing me into holy matrimony with one of her rabbit-faced relations. I would not put it past her to try to catch me in parson's mousetrap, either, so I cannot say I relish bearding the lioness in her den. Unfortunately she is my father's widow, so I cannot give her the cut direct or her marching orders."
He did not speak for a minute, contemplating the dire fate of being buckled to one of the Spillhammer sisters. Then he looked up. “But wait. Tomorrow is Wednesday, is it not? They will be attending Almack's, without a doubt. Agatha's agues never seem to occur on evenings of social importance, and there is none more crucial to her sisters’ success than the weekly assembly. She'll never snabble them husbands if she can't pass them off as Quality there."
"Surely the, ah, Spillhammer sisters are Quality or they would never be granted vouchers to attend in the first place,” Carissa chided, revealing a telling familiarity with the ways of the Polite World.
Lesley waved a manicured hand. “Jumped-up gentry. That's why Agatha wanted my father's title so badly, so she'd have the cachet of Hammond House behind her when she tossed the dismal duo on the ton. No, they'll be hunting at Almack's tomorrow night, I guarantee it. Hammond House will be vacant, therefore, so we can steal in, get what we need with no one the wiser, and be gone in less time than it will take Sally Jersey to dragoon some poor sods into dancing with the chits. Madam Housekeeper, how would you like to be a housebreaker?"
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eight
"You mean to say Lord Hartleigh is going
Lesley wondered at the sad look in Mrs. Kane's eyes. Did she miss her husband so much, still, or was she regretting the change in her circumstances? He could not keep from speculating whether she really was what she seemed, a respectable widow fallen on hard times, or a rich man's mistress. She spoke so fondly of the old gent, it was possible. And hidden behind the dreary demeanor was a spirited woman who might appeal to certain men. Not himself, of course, but Sir Gilliam might not desire a dasher.
Mrs. Kane was kind and gentle; anyone could see that from watching her with her daughter. Hell, he owed her his life for finding Maisie, for showing the maid how to change the infant's diapers. He'd have traded his gelding, his diamond stickpin, and Byrd for that alone. But there was some secret Mrs. Kane was holding, some hesitation about her past, as if she were weighing each word. He'd never trusted a woman yet, and saw no reason to take at face value all this one said, or didn't say. But he owed her. He was fairly certain she would not take money for her efforts, but Mrs. Kane had a small, doe-eyed weak spot. She'd never deny her daughter some toys and books, and Lesley knew right where there were cartloads.
"Now that I think on it, the attics at Hammond House must be full of baby things, for my mother never threw anything out. I know all my old toys are still in the nursery. Agatha, my father's second wife, would never exert herself to climb to the upper stories, so I am sure everything is exactly where my mother left it."
"Excellent. Then all you have to do is go over there with a wagon."
Byrd slapped his knee. “Aye, and listen to a lecture on your wicked ways. Lud, I can't wait to hear you tell Lady Hartleigh you're outfitting an infant"
"I was hoping she'd hear of it through the gossip vine and wash her hands of me entirely.” For Carissa's benefit he explained, “The woman is a carping shrew who uses her health as an excuse for her bad behavior. As much as she deplores my style of living, Agatha still has hopes of haranguing me into holy matrimony with one of her rabbit-faced relations. I would not put it past her to try to catch me in parson's mousetrap, either, so I cannot say I relish bearding the lioness in her den. Unfortunately she is my father's widow, so I cannot give her the cut direct or her marching orders."
He did not speak for a minute, contemplating the dire fate of being buckled to one of the Spillhammer sisters. Then he looked up. “But wait. Tomorrow is Wednesday, is it not? They will be attending Almack's, without a doubt. Agatha's agues never seem to occur on evenings of social importance, and there is none more crucial to her sisters’ success than the weekly assembly. She'll never snabble them husbands if she can't pass them off as Quality there."
"Surely the, ah, Spillhammer sisters are Quality or they would never be granted vouchers to attend in the first place,” Carissa chided, revealing a telling familiarity with the ways of the Polite World.
Lesley waved a manicured hand. “Jumped-up gentry. That's why Agatha wanted my father's title so badly, so she'd have the cachet of Hammond House behind her when she tossed the dismal duo on the ton. No, they'll be hunting at Almack's tomorrow night, I guarantee it. Hammond House will be vacant, therefore, so we can steal in, get what we need with no one the wiser, and be gone in less time than it will take Sally Jersey to dragoon some poor sods into dancing with the chits. Madam Housekeeper, how would you like to be a housebreaker?"
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eight
"You mean to say Lord Hartleigh is going
Similar Books
