us.â
Letitiaâs mouth closed. She stared. Blinked. Swallowed with a gulp that echoed through the room. âIsis?â she whispered. âIt has a
name?
Itâs a
pet?â
âOf course, sheâs a pet.â He smoothly deposited the creature into his coat pocket. âAnd Iâd thank you not to terrify her in the future.â
Letitiaâs head wobbled slightly as she nodded.
With an expression that made her spine tingle, Graham Fosterâs attention returned in full measure to Moira. âNow then, Miss Hughes, perhaps youâd care to explain why youâve rearranged my study in this most charming manner? And why youâre masquerading as a maid in my employ? Or have you, indeed, joined my staff?â
Before Moira could answer, Miss Foster pivoted to glare at her. âBetter she saves her explanations for the magistrate. Iâll have Mrs. Higgensworth send for one
immediately
. â
âIf youâll allow me, Miss Foster.â The houseguest pulled himself up with a flourish that might have made Moira laugh under different circumstances. âIt would be my pleasure to be of service.â
âHm.â Miss Foster regarded him down the length of her slender nose. âYes, Mr. Paddington, thank you. Do hurry.â
âThereâs no reason to summon anyone,â Graham Foster said, but too late. His friend had set off at an eager trot. He glowered at his sister, who produced a self-satisfied shrug.
âLeave us, Letty,â her brother commanded. When she pouted and voiced a protest, he ignored her and turned to his brother, who had all but disappeared into the wallpaper at the far end of the room. âYou, too, Freddy. Finish sobering up. Letty, did Mother accompany you home?â
âMamaâs still at the museum, I suppose.â The young woman tossed her curls. âI grew bored staring at all your relics, Monteith, so I begged a ride home with the Sanfords.â
âSorry to have disappointed you.â His steely gaze traveled back and forth between his siblings. âLeave us, and donât either of you get into trouble.â
Frederick Foster pushed away from the wall and sauntered into the corridor. His sister followed, after flinging one last derisive look at Moira.
The door closed behind the pair, leaving her quite alone with their perplexing older brother.
Yes, most perplexing, indeed. He stood staring at her, his arms folded across his chest. His dimples taunted while an infuriating half smile played about his lips. He strolled out of Moiraâs vision, and a moment later she heard the familiar creaking of the desk chair.
âWell, Moira Hughes, wonât you come out from that recess?â
She much preferred not to. The very suggestion emphasized the utter foolishness of her behavior. Her maidâs uniform didnât help. The plain blue dress and starched apron smoothed away individuality and all the grace of femininity, leaving only the drudgery and burdens of being female. And in this instance, it lent Graham Foster one more seeming advantage over her, besides the obvious fact that she had trespassed in his home.
But with a deep breath she raised her chin and remembered who she was. Moira Hughes, stepdaughterâno,
daughter
âof the late Everett Foster, Lord Monteith, and every bit as good as the man confronting her. She walked out from the embrasure and stood tall before the desk.
It was a large block of carved mahogany, dark, imposing, impressive. Or so sheâd always thought. Graham Foster almost dwarfed it. Even sitting, he met her eye levelly and made her feel small and defenseless and very much alone.
Through the window behind him, slanting sunshine burnished the top of his head. He was all golden light, deep shadow, and brilliant smile as he regarded her.
A devil in a halo. She must not forget what heâd done, how her mother had suffered loss upon loss because of this man. Estella
Saud Alsanousi
Derek Robinson
J.D. Cunegan
Richmal Crompton
Veronica Henry
Audrey Carlan
Braxton Cole
Allan Leverone
Terry Spear
Megan Lindholm