Read Online Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) by Maureen Driscoll - Free Book Online Page A

Keegan.  “She would not marry the
squire’s son, though his family would dearly love to get their hands on her
estate.  If you ask me, they’re just as likely to sell the land to the mining
company as Lady Evelyn’s scapegrace cousin.  No, she wasn’t making herself look
good for the Kensington lad.  She wanted to impress Joseph.”
    “I just wish there was some way we could help her,”
said Oates.
    The four servants sipped their tea in silence for a
moment until Logan said “I have an idea.”
    *                    *                    *
    Joseph rode Rocinante back to Jasmine Manor at a
pace much slower than the stallion would have liked.  But he needed time to
think before arriving at the house.  The sleigh ride back to Evelyn’s hadn’t
been any more interesting than on the way out.  Smithton had droned on and on
about crops and his animals.  The only moment of interest had been when Evelyn
had brought up the subject of sheep wrangling, telling Smithton that Joseph was
a veritable expert at it.  Of course Smithton had taken that opportunity to
challenge him to some sort of sheep wrangling contest, no doubt to be carried
out in the middle of snow up to their chest, followed by an invigorating swim
in a frozen lake.
    As much as Joseph did not like the match personally
– and it would do no good to dwell on that – it appeared that Smithton was an
appropriate suitor for Lady Evelyn, at least as judged on what he had seen
today.  The viscount inexplicably liked living in the middle of nowhere, which
meant Lady Evelyn could stay in the area.  Joseph knew of Smithton’s father, the
Earl of Coughley, by reputation.  He was, by all accounts, a perfectly
upstanding peer who took his duties in Lords seriously and had never run afoul
of the law.  Or, if he had, it had all been discreetly covered up.
    If Lady Evelyn asked his opinion of Smithton, he
would have to be guardedly in favor of the match.  Though Smithton’s teeth were
a bit too white and he did seem rather too insistent on physical challenges and
significant evidence pointed to him being a boring conversationalist.  But other
than that, Joseph had no real objections.
    Damn it all to hell.
    He finally arrived at Jasmine Manor and gave
Rocinante to a groom.  He entered the foyer only to find the Keegans, Logan and
Oates lined up in front of the painting.  But it was not the servants who
caught his attention, but something else.
    “I know this is going to sound odd,” said Joseph. 
“But have you changed that portrait?”
    “What portrait?” asked Mr. Keegan.
    “The one of the duke and duchess.”
    “Of course, not,” said Mrs. Keegan.  “Whyever would
we?  It has always been there.  I suspect it always will be.  Did you have a
pleasant outing?”
    Stapleton could not stop looking at the painting. 
“But I could have sworn….I thought….well, it seemed the duke and duchess were
seated much further away from each other on the blanket, just earlier today.”
    “So they’re close together?” asked Mrs. Keegan with
a smile.
    “It would appear so, but that is impossible.”
    “Quite so,” said Mr. Keegan.  “Now, then, Inspector,
on behalf of the staff, I would like to apologize for what is about to
transpire.”
    Joseph looked at him warily.  “Is something amiss?”
    “I am afraid you shall have to remove yourself to
Lady Evelyn’s house for the duration of your stay.  But do not fear for your comfort. 
Her staff is excellent.  Your every need shall be met.”
    Then he and the others smiled at him as if no
further explanation were necessary.
    “Might I ask why I am to relocate to Lady Evelyn’s,
especially since it would be most improper for me to stay there when she has no
male relative or chaperone in residence?”
    “We think it would be best,” said Mr. Keegan. 
    That was followed by more smiling silence.
    “Because?” prodded Joseph.
    “Oh, very well,” said Mrs.