Read Online Reckless Rules (Brambridge Novel 4) by Pearl Darling - Free Book Online Page A

that they would be so useful in many other ways.
    When he had died, she had got rid of all the servants, naturally in a staggered manner so it wasn’t so evident that she was cleaning out his nest of vipers, and then she replaced them with those she trusted.
    The first person she recruited was Carruthers, a former footman in her brother’s household, and now her butler and arch right-hand man.
    “Sit down, Carruthers, and pour yourself a cup of tea. You’ve brought enough to feed a small army as it is.”
    Without a murmur, Carruthers did as he was asked. Carefully folding the tails of his coat under, he sat, and stood again, bringing over the plate of cakes he had left on the tray.
    Victoria took a cake without bothering to wait for a small plate and took a large bite. Crumbs brushed down her face as she bit into the confection. Three bites later, and the cake was finished. Ponzi snuffled happily around the floor, licking at the carpet as Victoria brushed the remaining crumbs to the ground. She took another piece of cake as Carruthers opened a newspaper.
    “There is a very interesting article in this ‘Illustrated London News’ about a new attraction touring the country. Apparently it is called Pablo Moreno’s Grand Travelling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Hippodrome.” Carruthers stopped as if checking to see if she was listening. Victoria had hardly taken in a word but nodded. His voice was soothing and provided a good accompaniment to her chewing of the second slice of cake.
    “The extraordinary feats of knife throwing, tightrope walking and other activities were very attractive as we anticipated in our Journal of last week. As we have already described, these performances are complemented by the no less stunning exhibition of exotic animals and humans…” Carruthers trailed off as Victoria put up a hand. She finished her last mouthful of cake and took a deep breath.
    “Rosa Fanthorpe wishes me to investigate whether Mr. Cryne has had any other women interests in the last six months.” She was proud of herself. There was no wobble to her voice, and her energy returned as the cake’s sweetness rejuvenated her.
    “I thought that once you had found out why Mr. Cryne wanted to marry Miss Fanthorpe, then the investigation was over?” Carruthers dropped the ‘my lady’ pretense, and after carefully putting aside the paper, took a large cake himself, and bit into its crust.
    “I’m afraid that I may have made a comment that incited Miss Fanthorpe to think more clearly about her motivations in getting married to the odious man.”
    “I assume she still made the payment?”
    “Yes. It was a good suggestion of yours to choose those foundations.”
    Carruthers nodded and sipped his tea.
    “Simon, why did you choose those particular ones?” Victoria was curious. She hadn’t really cared at the start where the money went, so long as it wasn’t in her pocket. She had more than enough money as it was that she gave to other causes.
    “I was born in the Mile End pauper farm.”
    “Oh.”
    He nodded. “Until I was twelve I lived that life, then your grandmother needed more staff and hired me as a kitchen boy.”
    “And from there you became the footman in my brother’s household.”
    “And butler in yours.”
    “Hmm. Not just a butler.”
    “Perhaps not, my lady.”
    “I’ve told you to drop that when we are alone.” Victoria frowned. “If you had not come to me with that interesting conundrum regarding Maisie the housemaid’s bag after Colchester died, I’m not sure what I would have done with myself.” Victoria stopped. “I need another investigation, Simon. You saw me. Don’t tell me you didn’t. It’s back and this time it is not going to go away so easily.”
    “What about Mr. Cryne?” Carruthers brushed the crumbs off his trousers for Ponzi.
    “It’s not enough. I know all of the women he’s chased in the last six months. Although to be sure, I would like for you to make some