Read Online The Counterfeit Heiress by TASHA ALEXANDER - Free Book Online Page A

will not soon be forgot.”
    “I must admit to being pleased,” she said, smoothing her skirts and sitting. “My husband is of no use in planning such things, you know. I have always said he would choose a pig over a party any day of the week, but at least he has the sense not to hold me back.” Lady Louisa Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire, had earned the reputation as one of—if not the—best hostesses in society, a rank that could prove as much of a burden as an honor, as one continually felt the need to top one’s previous accomplishments. She had been married once before, to the Duke of Manchester, who died two years before she decided, at the age of sixty, to wed again. Rumor had it the second duke to earn her affections had been in love with her for years, but she had remained faithful to Manchester until his death. “There was a duel, did you know?”
    “I missed that entirely,” I said. “Do tell.”
    “Gentlemen coming to blows in the garden over a lady. Fortunately their weapons were limited by their costumes, so there was no question of firearms at twenty paces. The crusader’s sword easily beat his opponent’s rapier. Louis XV’s courtiers weren’t meant for combat, and I am afraid his silk stockings suffered violently.”
    “Oh dear.” I laughed. “I am almost sorry not to have seen it.”
    “You are here, I presume, not simply to discuss the pleasures of the evening—I am glad, though, that you enjoyed yourself.”
    “I did, very much so, thank you,” I said. “You are correct that I must address another subject, one far less pleasant. We have identified the woman murdered after she left here. I am certain she was not among those who received an invitation, at least not in her legal name.”
    “No, I had never heard of Mary Darby until your husband sent her name over today. Furthermore, I did not invite Estella Lamar to the ball. It never would have occurred to me to have done so as she is rarely in London. When she appeared without an invitation, I thought that the Jubilee and its festivities must have tempted her to come to England, and I told my butler to admit her at once. It is wretchedly embarrassing to have been so taken in by a charlatan.”
    “You had no way of knowing she was not who she claimed.”
    “Unfortunately not,” she said. “Have you any notion why this other woman came in her place? I feel as if I’ve been wound up, and I can’t say I much like the joke.”
    “At the moment we’ve not the slightest idea. We are trying to reach Miss Lamar, but have as yet been unable to make contact with anyone but her solicitor. He believes her to have recently been in Siam, which suggests it would have been most difficult for her to organize the scheme, if that’s what it was.”
    “I am aware that my husband has communicated as much to your own dear spouse, but I must implore you to please keep this matter as quiet as possible. I do not want our ball in the queen’s honor to be overshadowed by scandal and death.” She snapped open a lace fan and waved it quickly in front of her face. “Do not think me callous, Lady Emily. I am most grieved that this Darby woman has been killed, but at the same time I am indecently relieved that it did not happen in the confines of my home.”
    “Of course you are. That is nothing of which to be ashamed.”
    “I’m afraid I have nothing else that could be of use to you,” she said. “I must, however, compliment you on your costume. You made a lovely Artemis.”
    “You are very kind, Lady Cavendish,” I said. “The House of Worth has never let me down. I would be nothing without them.”
    “Yes, the sons are doing an admirable job continuing the work of their father, aren’t they?”
    “Quite. They made yours as well, did they not?” The duchess had presided over her party with supreme regality, dressed as Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and had entered the ballroom on a litter carried by servants dressed as slaves, each of