Read Online Seductive Lies (Secret Lives Series) by Colleen Connally - Free Book Online Page A

letter she had painstakingly written to her solicitor was returned unopened. Then Captain Waverly was due back from his voyage by the end of the week.
    Harriet shuddered at the thought. She had to leave before his return. Why her aunt had sent her to these people she hadn’t the foggiest. They were horrid people who treated her no better than a servant.
    The first couple of months at the Waverlys passed uneventfully. Harriet had welcomed the peace and quiet. It was only afterwards , when Harriet wanted to return home, that things made a turn for the worse. Why, before his last trip Captain Waverly kept her under lock and key!
    Only Mrs. Waverly’s constant demands released her from her prison. Harriet had no money, but she was running out of time. She had to get back to Beebe Manor. Rounding the bend, she paused.
    A carriage sat in front of the cottage, an elegant conveyance. It was not a common sight in Marsaport. There were no markings on its door, but without question it was the property of a nobleman.
    Upon her appearance, one of the footmen ran up the steps and through the entrance. Her heart surged with hope her family had come to retrieve her. Suddenly, a man emerged from the house.
    Harriet stood utterly still. Holding her breath, she felt the color drain from her face. For a moment, she stared incredulously at him. Finally, she whispered his name. “Arthur.”
    He wasted no time, but bounded down the steps. He walked toward her and her heart stopped for what seemed an eternity. Breathless with shock, she stood frozen in her spot , unbelieving the sight before her.
    Arthur reached out and caressed her cheek, wiping away escaping tears. She looked at him, searching his face for any signs it was all a dream.
    Smiling down at her as if he had found a lost treasure, he said, “I am real.”
    “They told me you were dead ….” She faltered. Badly shaken, the whole of her body trembled. She took deep breaths to calm herself.
    “They told me you had deserted me.”
    There were no more words. He drew her into his arms and kissed her. Surreal, she surrendered to the moment. The warmth of his mouth upon hers stirred her pulses. She felt alive again.
    Leaning down, Arthur picked her up and carried her back to the carriage. He gave her no option. She was leaving.
    The carriage door closed behind them. He wrapped his arms about her and she nestled closer. His embrace felt so safe. Slowly, her shaking subsided. Arthur had rescued her.
    As if reading her thoughts, he kissed the top of her head. “It is over, my love. No one is ever going to part us again.”
    * * * *
    By the time they stopped at the Black Swan Inn outside of Falmouth, Arthur explained the collusion to the best of his ability. There were many unanswered questions, but one fact could not be disputed—they both had been victims of a conspiracy.
    Upon reading the letter from Clarissa, he realized he had been had. Clarissa begged Bessie for help in finding Harriet. Her parents wouldn’t give her any answers. She was worried, expressing her concern to her sister.
     
    Bessie, I’m in no condition to search, for my time is near. But we both know that Harriet left only to recover from the shock of Arthur’s death. I expected her back immediately after the mistake was revealed and he returned. I have written to her continually, but my letters have been returned unopened. She is not where Mother told me. Now Mother acts as if she has no knowledge of Harriet’s whereabouts. And with this nonsense that Harriet ran off with a stranger, I am worried about her. She was heart stricken. I understand none of what is going on. Do not tell me that it is only my imagination! I will not be fended off this time...
     
    Arthur wasted no time. He hired a Bow Street Runner, Mick Layton. He had often heard the feats of these investigators, but until now he had never had a need. Calling forth his utmost patience, he understood the necessity of taking his time to unearth the whole