Read Online if hes wicked by Hannah Howell - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Hannah Howell
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enter, Julian
knew his smile of welcome was a little weak as he greeted Edgar. His body felt as if he had climbed a mountain instead of simply walking around the
room a few times. The revival food had given him had proved to be very short-lived.
“Perhaps this should wait until tomorrow,” Edgar said, frowning at Julian. “You look pale, tired.”
“No, come in. Sit down. I just pushed myself a little too hard in my first unassisted walk. It wil pass.”
Edgar nodded and pul ed a chair close to the bed. “Getting restless?” he asked as he sat down.
“Very. I am straining at the bit to get my strength back so that I can do more in my defense than talk.”
“Understandable. Stil , you do not want to push too hard or you wil just lengthen your recovery.”
“I know.” Julian suddenly noticed that Edgar was dressed in some of his finest clothes. “Going somewhere?”
“The Paxtons are having a gathering. We are going to see if your uncle and wife appear. They were seen at the Gremonts’ just last night.”
“Obviously my wife does not intend to mourn me for very long.”
“Seems she is tel ing anyone who wil listen that she has considered you dead to her since the day you left her to take to drinking and whoring.
Although she does not say whoring . Uses some very prim words I cannot recal just now.”
“Clever. Makes herself the victim. Is it working?”
“With some, but not many.” Edgar cleared his throat and tugged at the lace on his cuffs before mumbling, “Too many know how she was no saint
before you left her. Too many angry wives, I think.”
“Quite possibly. Who is the we going to the Paxtons?”
“Myself, Leo, and Chloe. I came early so that I could have time to speak to you while Chloe finishes dressing.”
Julian suddenly realized that Chloe’s hair had been done up in a style that had left fat ringlets brushing her slim shoulders. He had had the passing
thought that he preferred her hair in a more untamed style. The fact that a woman had sat across from him while he had eaten his dinner and he had never
once told her that her new hairstyle looked nice on her astounded him. He had been wel trained in such courteous flatteries. It was apparent that he had
become a little too sunk in his own misery. To then let her see his jealousy concerning Anthony’s attachment to her had probably only added to the fuel of
the fire started by his lack of attention. He had obviously drowned al of his charm and courtesy in the copious amount of liquor he had consumed in the
last year. It was a wonder she had not slapped him upside the head with the tray and slammed the door on her way out.
“Is this al part of gathering information on my uncle and Beatrice?” Julian found himself wondering if Edgar had a romantic interest in Chloe and
was surprised at how much he disliked that possibility.
Edgar nodded. “Last eve, my godmother overheard Arthur and Beatrice discussing your death.”
“In public?”
“I am certain they thought they were private, but it smel s like a mistake to me. Careless.”
“Extremely careless. Considering that my uncle deals in secrets, one would think he would be wel aware of how easily someone can overhear
something you wish to keep secret. Exactly what did she hear?”
“Your uncle is not certain they should trust in the news of your untimely demise. He reminded Beatrice that he had received no word of your death.”
“Very careful y said, damn his eyes.”
“He is a clever rogue, no doubt about it. Beatrice, however, is not so clever. Cunning, manipulative, and amoral, but not clever. She said that you
were dead even if they had not seen the hand. Suggested that you and their man might have kil ed each other. After al , if you were stil alive, they would have known by now. My godmother said Arthur spat out a few words she could never repeat and told Beatrice to guard her words. It is not the sort of thing
that can get a man of your uncle’s ilk
knew his smile of welcome was a little weak as he greeted Edgar. His body felt as if he had climbed a mountain instead of simply walking around the
room a few times. The revival food had given him had proved to be very short-lived.
“Perhaps this should wait until tomorrow,” Edgar said, frowning at Julian. “You look pale, tired.”
“No, come in. Sit down. I just pushed myself a little too hard in my first unassisted walk. It wil pass.”
Edgar nodded and pul ed a chair close to the bed. “Getting restless?” he asked as he sat down.
“Very. I am straining at the bit to get my strength back so that I can do more in my defense than talk.”
“Understandable. Stil , you do not want to push too hard or you wil just lengthen your recovery.”
“I know.” Julian suddenly noticed that Edgar was dressed in some of his finest clothes. “Going somewhere?”
“The Paxtons are having a gathering. We are going to see if your uncle and wife appear. They were seen at the Gremonts’ just last night.”
“Obviously my wife does not intend to mourn me for very long.”
“Seems she is tel ing anyone who wil listen that she has considered you dead to her since the day you left her to take to drinking and whoring.
Although she does not say whoring . Uses some very prim words I cannot recal just now.”
“Clever. Makes herself the victim. Is it working?”
“With some, but not many.” Edgar cleared his throat and tugged at the lace on his cuffs before mumbling, “Too many know how she was no saint
before you left her. Too many angry wives, I think.”
“Quite possibly. Who is the we going to the Paxtons?”
“Myself, Leo, and Chloe. I came early so that I could have time to speak to you while Chloe finishes dressing.”
Julian suddenly realized that Chloe’s hair had been done up in a style that had left fat ringlets brushing her slim shoulders. He had had the passing
thought that he preferred her hair in a more untamed style. The fact that a woman had sat across from him while he had eaten his dinner and he had never
once told her that her new hairstyle looked nice on her astounded him. He had been wel trained in such courteous flatteries. It was apparent that he had
become a little too sunk in his own misery. To then let her see his jealousy concerning Anthony’s attachment to her had probably only added to the fuel of
the fire started by his lack of attention. He had obviously drowned al of his charm and courtesy in the copious amount of liquor he had consumed in the
last year. It was a wonder she had not slapped him upside the head with the tray and slammed the door on her way out.
“Is this al part of gathering information on my uncle and Beatrice?” Julian found himself wondering if Edgar had a romantic interest in Chloe and
was surprised at how much he disliked that possibility.
Edgar nodded. “Last eve, my godmother overheard Arthur and Beatrice discussing your death.”
“In public?”
“I am certain they thought they were private, but it smel s like a mistake to me. Careless.”
“Extremely careless. Considering that my uncle deals in secrets, one would think he would be wel aware of how easily someone can overhear
something you wish to keep secret. Exactly what did she hear?”
“Your uncle is not certain they should trust in the news of your untimely demise. He reminded Beatrice that he had received no word of your death.”
“Very careful y said, damn his eyes.”
“He is a clever rogue, no doubt about it. Beatrice, however, is not so clever. Cunning, manipulative, and amoral, but not clever. She said that you
were dead even if they had not seen the hand. Suggested that you and their man might have kil ed each other. After al , if you were stil alive, they would have known by now. My godmother said Arthur spat out a few words she could never repeat and told Beatrice to guard her words. It is not the sort of thing
that can get a man of your uncle’s ilk
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