Read Online Dangerous Diana (Brambridge Novel 3) by Pearl Darling - Free Book Online
Authors: Pearl Darling
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Adult, series, Regency, England, Military, romantic suspense, 19th century, Bachelor, Victorian, Britain, Forever Love, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, London Society, Brambridge, War Office, British Government
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in a heap, without managing to spill a drop.
What she needed was another way to escape Hades. Her plan had backfired spectacularly on her; attempting to bargain with him with a kiss had only drawn his snare more tightly around her. His kisses had pulled her as tight as a spinning top, smoothing away any semblance of control she exerted over her own actions.
And when he found out that she was seeking the Viper too, she would be even more at his mercy.
Melissa shifted in the chair as the brandy warmed her stomach. As the study blurred around her, it was almost as if she was back in the sumptuous library of the home in Buckinghamshire that her father had bought when she was little. Her father, Arthur Sumner, renowned botanist and expedition leader, had bought the house for the fertile grounds where he could plant all of the different varieties of flowers he brought back from around the world. Melissa had played on the front steps singing nursery rhymes as her father gardened, and then later on in the winter, games of hide and seek until she knew the house backwards. It had also been useful in escaping Eliza.
Melissa hiccupped and reached for her glass again. Eliza again. Melissa stared into the glass. Was she already giving the other deportees her own peculiar brand of freezing camaraderie or had that only been reserved for Melissa? It was only when Melissa’s father was away that she had first noticed the woman’s coldness. But her father had always soon thankfully returned, and Melissa would disappear with him into a happy haze of flower examination and tales of orchid hunting leaving Eliza doing… whatever she did.
But then one expedition he didn’t come back. Arthur Sumner’s expedition partner had sent Eliza a letter that had turned her beautiful pale face white. Melissa had supposed it was grief. She had only ever seen the first page of the letter, the part where Professor Lisle recounted dryly how her father’s body had been found at the bottom of the crevasse, that there was nothing he could do for him, and that these things happened. He was buried in the town where they had been staying, and where would Mrs. Sumner like him to send Arthur’s belongings?
Melissa threw the last contents of the brandy glass into her throat, the liquid burning her tongue. It wasn’t long after that Eliza’s coldness turned into an Arctic freeze. She started to go out more, staying in London for long periods leaving the bewildered and grief-stricken Melissa alone in the house in Buckinghamshire. Her only consolation was found in her father’s books and plants. She read, she dissected, she studied, until she knew the texts by heart, and her knowledge was almost as good as her father’s. She tended the plants outside, the strange orchids and exotic ferns. She even developed a particular interest in healing plants. But then her mother came back and announced that they were going to move. That they were going to buy a smaller, more manageable place in London, away from the disgusting plants that reminded her of her dear Arthur. And by the way dear Melissa, Professor Lisle had kindly agreed to buy the house for a generous sum of money.
That was the start of the moves, each time to a house that was progressively smaller, and in a less and less salubrious area of London, until they ended up in Bayswater—
A footman entered softly as Melissa groaned. He stood regarding her curiously for a second before placing a large piece of sumptuous cake by her chair. Melissa blinked at him and narrowed her eyes. There was something familiar about him… he had a nasty scar on his cheek too, but then the flicker of recognition disappeared. She eyed the brandy glass. It must have been the effects of the alcohol. She turned back to speak to the footman, but caught only the sight of his back as he tiptoed out through the door. He did seem very considerate.
The slice of cake was large, and smelled of almonds. She didn’t really feel that hungry.
What she needed was another way to escape Hades. Her plan had backfired spectacularly on her; attempting to bargain with him with a kiss had only drawn his snare more tightly around her. His kisses had pulled her as tight as a spinning top, smoothing away any semblance of control she exerted over her own actions.
And when he found out that she was seeking the Viper too, she would be even more at his mercy.
Melissa shifted in the chair as the brandy warmed her stomach. As the study blurred around her, it was almost as if she was back in the sumptuous library of the home in Buckinghamshire that her father had bought when she was little. Her father, Arthur Sumner, renowned botanist and expedition leader, had bought the house for the fertile grounds where he could plant all of the different varieties of flowers he brought back from around the world. Melissa had played on the front steps singing nursery rhymes as her father gardened, and then later on in the winter, games of hide and seek until she knew the house backwards. It had also been useful in escaping Eliza.
Melissa hiccupped and reached for her glass again. Eliza again. Melissa stared into the glass. Was she already giving the other deportees her own peculiar brand of freezing camaraderie or had that only been reserved for Melissa? It was only when Melissa’s father was away that she had first noticed the woman’s coldness. But her father had always soon thankfully returned, and Melissa would disappear with him into a happy haze of flower examination and tales of orchid hunting leaving Eliza doing… whatever she did.
But then one expedition he didn’t come back. Arthur Sumner’s expedition partner had sent Eliza a letter that had turned her beautiful pale face white. Melissa had supposed it was grief. She had only ever seen the first page of the letter, the part where Professor Lisle recounted dryly how her father’s body had been found at the bottom of the crevasse, that there was nothing he could do for him, and that these things happened. He was buried in the town where they had been staying, and where would Mrs. Sumner like him to send Arthur’s belongings?
Melissa threw the last contents of the brandy glass into her throat, the liquid burning her tongue. It wasn’t long after that Eliza’s coldness turned into an Arctic freeze. She started to go out more, staying in London for long periods leaving the bewildered and grief-stricken Melissa alone in the house in Buckinghamshire. Her only consolation was found in her father’s books and plants. She read, she dissected, she studied, until she knew the texts by heart, and her knowledge was almost as good as her father’s. She tended the plants outside, the strange orchids and exotic ferns. She even developed a particular interest in healing plants. But then her mother came back and announced that they were going to move. That they were going to buy a smaller, more manageable place in London, away from the disgusting plants that reminded her of her dear Arthur. And by the way dear Melissa, Professor Lisle had kindly agreed to buy the house for a generous sum of money.
That was the start of the moves, each time to a house that was progressively smaller, and in a less and less salubrious area of London, until they ended up in Bayswater—
A footman entered softly as Melissa groaned. He stood regarding her curiously for a second before placing a large piece of sumptuous cake by her chair. Melissa blinked at him and narrowed her eyes. There was something familiar about him… he had a nasty scar on his cheek too, but then the flicker of recognition disappeared. She eyed the brandy glass. It must have been the effects of the alcohol. She turned back to speak to the footman, but caught only the sight of his back as he tiptoed out through the door. He did seem very considerate.
The slice of cake was large, and smelled of almonds. She didn’t really feel that hungry.
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