Read Online ROOK AND RAVEN: The Celtic Kingdom Trilogy Book One by Julie Harvey Delcourt - Free Book Online Page B

indiscretion.  If Harrow had been privy to half the things she had known during the war against Napoleon, he would have white hair and probably have taken to drink more than he already did.
    “Jessamy my dear, it is really too bad that Edward had to leave, but never fear, escort or not, we shall contrive to see you enjoy yourself,” Lady Georgina reassured Jessy, but immediately noticed that Jessy hadn’t heard a word she had spoken.
    For while the others were maybe too far away or too busy conversing, she had heard the cryptic words that Mr. Burnell had spoken to Edward and which seemed to say all that Edward needed to hear, “He has landed.” 
    Who had landed? She wondered just as she realized that Lady Georgina had spoken to her.
    “Forgive me.  I’m afraid I was distracted my lady,” she smiled.
    “Oh no apologies,” Georgina laughed and fluttered her fan, “That kind of distraction I readily forgive.  Why even after ten years of marriage, it’s embarrassing to admit, but Robert can still distract me in exactly the same way.”
    Jessy smiled again, but felt a twinge of guilt.  Georgina believed Jessy was admiring Edward, when she had really only been interested in the scent of mystery and excitement she had caught.  
    “We are going on to the Beltram rout shortly.  Care to join us?  I wouldn’t want Edward to think I didn’t look after you, and I would love the company.”
    “Actually I had turned down an invitation since Edward and I were attending this ball.  You know he doesn’t usually care for more than one event an evening. Mrs. Whittier and some of her friends have asked me to accompany them tonight.  If you won’t think me rude, I believe I will join them after all.”  And she would go, Jessy thought, despite the fact that where they were going was not exactly what Edward or Lady Georgina would approve. She caught the faint moue of disapproval Lady Georgina made at the mention of Mrs. Whittier but shrugged it off.  The chances Georgina would be her sister-in-law were fading fast so she might as well stop worrying about courting her favor so assiduously.  
    “If that will make you happy my dear.  Remember to take Edward’s carriage; I like to know you are safe.  I forget how young you are sometimes, I used to enjoy the company of a faster set myself in my youth,” she sighed. “My lady,” Jessy laughed, “You are barely a handful of years older than me!  Don’t speak as if you were in your dotage.  I see no decrease in the number of admirers you gather everywhere you go!  You are still the reigning beauty of London.”
    “Do you have a mirror?  I believe I have passed that torch on now,” she frowned in exaggerated anger at Jessamy and everyone laughed politely.  “Well, enjoy the last days of your freedom young lady, for if Edward and I have any say in it, you shall be leg shackled before the season is over,” she whispered quietly and slyly as she rose and took the arm of Colonel Leigh.  
    Jessy stood for a moment marooned at the edge of the room. However would that dear lady feel towards her when she told Edward once and for all that she could not marry him?  They had played such an instrumental role in seeing her overcome the stigma attached to being an actress. Tamworth’s suit had become an open secret in London and the gentlemen’s clubs had all laid heavy odds on her accepting.  What sane woman would not?  This one, she thought rather despairingly.  Maybe she wasn’t sane at all.  She would be further proving her lack of sense by going with Mrs. Whittier’s set to Bridge House.  She knew she shouldn’t but, she was going anyway.
    So far she had not been caught out nor done anything that could come back and tarnish her reputation.  Sean insisted it was only a matter of time, and he was surely right. David had one great row with her about it and since then had refused to speak of it anymore.  The strain of trying so hard to be so correct, so