Read Online Deverell's Obsession: A Risqué Regency Romance by Sahara Kelly - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sahara Kelly
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library in Deverell House, and Dev had no reason not to believe her.
But there was no doubt her face lit up when she saw Mary and Eileen arrive, bearing boxes that looked suspiciously like those used to transport dresses. There was another couple in their train—two people Dev couldn’t have been happier to see.
“ Julia . Lucius . Bless your hearts—you’re a sight for these sore eyes. Come right in.” He all but dragged Lucius across the threshold.
“Christ, Dev. Easy. That’s my coat you’re wrinkling.”
“The hell with your coat. I need to tell…”
“Where is she, Dev? In there?” Julia nodded to the open door. “Introduce me? I’m dying to meet her.”
Dev’s jaw twitched.
“Give it up, my friend. Once she gets the bit between her teeth there’s no stopping her.” Lucius looked lovingly at his wife.
On a groan, Dev strode into the parlor. “Léonie, may I present Lord Lucius Gordon and his lovely wife Julia. Close friend of Mary and Eileen whom you already know.”
His words were pretty much drowned out by the excited chatter of the ladies as boxes were opened, explanations made and Julia sat down next to Léonie and engaged her in conversation.
“Come on. They don’t need us.” Dev urged Lucius out the door.
“You must be in a state. You’re actually hurrying.”
“I have a lot on my mind. Get in here and I’ll tell you.” He shoved Lucius into his study and closed the door, leaning against it and taking a deep breath. “Now. I’ve got a story for you and I need to know if you think I’m going completely insane.”
“In my opinion? You probably already are, but that’s neither here nor there.” Lucius strolled to the window embrasure and made himself comfortable in an oversize leather chair. “Unburden yourself, Dev. Lest you explode. Julia and I are taking a few days off from parenting, so I refuse to clean up any messes until we get back.” He raised an eyebrow. “If you explode? You clean it up.”
Dev rolled his eyes and ignored that comment. “All right. Here’s what’s happening.”
For the next fifteen minutes or so he explained Léonie’s situation in detail to Lucius, whose expression went from mildly bemused to intensely focused.
“Elwyn’s dead?”
“Murdered. No question. McPherson is headed there now to snoop around. He has the authority to do so, being a Bow Street Runner.”
“Helpful,” nodded Lucius. “And Léonie’s memories…”
“I’d say sketchy at best.” Dev ran a hand over his face. “That’s a sticking point, Lucius. I am sure she can’t remember much about her recent arrival on the docks. That was a hell of a hit she took and it would have knocked anyone senseless. Damn near killed her, according to Pennyhaven.”
“But…I sense there’s a ‘but’ there…”
“Yes.” Dev frowned. “There seem to be some gaps in her history. It’s not that I want chapter and verse of everything she did since she was three years old, but her overall history is thin in places. She’s travelled a lot, in Europe, during times of conflict. We both have an idea of how difficult that was. Yet she made the trip from Vienna to Greece, for example, after the Congress, without incident, apparently.”
Lucius was quiet for a few moments, appearing lost in thought. “You ever hear of her father? Colonel Girard?”
Dev shook his head. “Not that I can recall, no. But then again, I don’t move in those circles. In fact, I’ll admit I’ve actively avoided them. There are enough challenges in life these days without going hunting for ‘em. And a diplomatic position…well, it would not suit me at all.”
Lucius grinned. “I couldn’t agree more.” Then he raised one eyebrow. “But…”
“But?”
“I’m pretty sure I may know one or two people who might know people…”
“Lucius, if there is anything you could do to find out more information, I’d be forever in your debt.”
“What about this Bow Street Runner of
But there was no doubt her face lit up when she saw Mary and Eileen arrive, bearing boxes that looked suspiciously like those used to transport dresses. There was another couple in their train—two people Dev couldn’t have been happier to see.
“ Julia . Lucius . Bless your hearts—you’re a sight for these sore eyes. Come right in.” He all but dragged Lucius across the threshold.
“Christ, Dev. Easy. That’s my coat you’re wrinkling.”
“The hell with your coat. I need to tell…”
“Where is she, Dev? In there?” Julia nodded to the open door. “Introduce me? I’m dying to meet her.”
Dev’s jaw twitched.
“Give it up, my friend. Once she gets the bit between her teeth there’s no stopping her.” Lucius looked lovingly at his wife.
On a groan, Dev strode into the parlor. “Léonie, may I present Lord Lucius Gordon and his lovely wife Julia. Close friend of Mary and Eileen whom you already know.”
His words were pretty much drowned out by the excited chatter of the ladies as boxes were opened, explanations made and Julia sat down next to Léonie and engaged her in conversation.
“Come on. They don’t need us.” Dev urged Lucius out the door.
“You must be in a state. You’re actually hurrying.”
“I have a lot on my mind. Get in here and I’ll tell you.” He shoved Lucius into his study and closed the door, leaning against it and taking a deep breath. “Now. I’ve got a story for you and I need to know if you think I’m going completely insane.”
“In my opinion? You probably already are, but that’s neither here nor there.” Lucius strolled to the window embrasure and made himself comfortable in an oversize leather chair. “Unburden yourself, Dev. Lest you explode. Julia and I are taking a few days off from parenting, so I refuse to clean up any messes until we get back.” He raised an eyebrow. “If you explode? You clean it up.”
Dev rolled his eyes and ignored that comment. “All right. Here’s what’s happening.”
For the next fifteen minutes or so he explained Léonie’s situation in detail to Lucius, whose expression went from mildly bemused to intensely focused.
“Elwyn’s dead?”
“Murdered. No question. McPherson is headed there now to snoop around. He has the authority to do so, being a Bow Street Runner.”
“Helpful,” nodded Lucius. “And Léonie’s memories…”
“I’d say sketchy at best.” Dev ran a hand over his face. “That’s a sticking point, Lucius. I am sure she can’t remember much about her recent arrival on the docks. That was a hell of a hit she took and it would have knocked anyone senseless. Damn near killed her, according to Pennyhaven.”
“But…I sense there’s a ‘but’ there…”
“Yes.” Dev frowned. “There seem to be some gaps in her history. It’s not that I want chapter and verse of everything she did since she was three years old, but her overall history is thin in places. She’s travelled a lot, in Europe, during times of conflict. We both have an idea of how difficult that was. Yet she made the trip from Vienna to Greece, for example, after the Congress, without incident, apparently.”
Lucius was quiet for a few moments, appearing lost in thought. “You ever hear of her father? Colonel Girard?”
Dev shook his head. “Not that I can recall, no. But then again, I don’t move in those circles. In fact, I’ll admit I’ve actively avoided them. There are enough challenges in life these days without going hunting for ‘em. And a diplomatic position…well, it would not suit me at all.”
Lucius grinned. “I couldn’t agree more.” Then he raised one eyebrow. “But…”
“But?”
“I’m pretty sure I may know one or two people who might know people…”
“Lucius, if there is anything you could do to find out more information, I’d be forever in your debt.”
“What about this Bow Street Runner of
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