Read Online The Mysterious Governess (Daughters of Sin Book 3) by Beverley Oakley - Free Book Online
Authors: Beverley Oakley
Tags: Artist, political intrigue, governess, portraitist, Regency romantic intrigue, government plot, spoiled debutante, Regency political intrigue
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sometimes be so deadly dull, even when she was feted by admirers at every turn. And decidedly, this Miss Hazlett was going to be useful in passing on information regarding the more interesting of these admirers. Like Sir Aubrey.
“So, this sketch you clearly executed with passable results...” Araminta considered the information, thoughtfully. “You will no doubt be doing more of this sort of thing in future.” She tapped her fingers upon the top of the garden fence that separated them. It was not hard to see how desperate the girl was to sample more of what she’d tasted the previous day. Perhaps she’d already set her cap at some out-of-reach nonpareil. Well, that would be interesting to observe, though could only result in disappointment for Miss Hazlett.
Araminta took the parcel from her and leaned her head closer. “I cannot but be repulsed by who you are, but the fact remains that we can, I believe, be useful to one another.” She gave a decisive nod. “Yes! You can be my little spy in return for the means I provide that will enable you to gain entry to similar entertainments.”
The girl cut her off. “I see little chance of that happening. I’m a governess and I have two little girls to take charge of.”
Irritated as she always was when anything interfered with her plans, Araminta glowered. Then her brow cleared. “So this Master Cosmo fancies himself as a portraitist, does he? Oh, don’t look at me like that! Of course, I guessed the truth.” Araminta laughed. “And that he wishes to be one of us. His family aspires to be like us. Like me, I mean. Oh, do say he has a sister about to make her debut? Good Lord! That’s too marvelous. In order to achieve my aims, I shall work my magic so that you’re given the time off to do as I require. Never at the same entertainment as me, you understand. But there will be occasions when you will be useful.
“Meanwhile, you can help Master Cosmo see his way to becoming London’s finest portraitist. You can sketch his portraits for him and I can have you supply me with the information I’m interested in. And I thought this was going to be the dreariest second season ever!”
***
D espite concerns over the potential pitfalls of Araminta’s plans, Lissa returned home in high spirits that were quickly quashed.
One minute she’d been imagining herself the belle of the ball, dressed in her half-sister’s glorious diaphanous creations, the next minute her arm had been snatched by Cosmo, who hauled her into the gloomy cavity beneath the stairs.
His eyes were black with anger in his pasty white face as he raked his fingers through his fashionable ‘Titus’ coiffure. “Lord Debenham is highly pleased by his sketch, which I presented this morning.” He pursed his thin lips. “I told him I’d executed it from a brief study of him yesterday and now it seems half of the ton wants something similar! What am I to do?”
Lissa drew back at his agitation. She’d seen him in such moods when he completely lost control and now that she was alone with him, she was frightened. First, he paced between the stairs and the end of the corridor, then he loomed over her, clearly using his height and bulk to intimidate her. “A pretty state of affairs this is, isn’t it?”
“I thought that was what you wanted.”
This didn’t seem to be the right approach. Lissa thought quickly. Cosmo was volatile and she’d seen him smash the nearest item at hand during his temper tantrums. But now she had an answer that she was reasonably sure would placate him.
Careful that she gave no sign of being intimidated, she managed calmly, “I carried off yesterday’s charade with no one being the wiser, and, only today, I’ve ensured a regular supply of suitable gowns for any occasion, Master Cosmo. Moreover, I have befriended a viscount’s daughter, who has promised to introduce Miss Maria to any potential suitor whose interest she cares to engage. There! I hope you are as
“So, this sketch you clearly executed with passable results...” Araminta considered the information, thoughtfully. “You will no doubt be doing more of this sort of thing in future.” She tapped her fingers upon the top of the garden fence that separated them. It was not hard to see how desperate the girl was to sample more of what she’d tasted the previous day. Perhaps she’d already set her cap at some out-of-reach nonpareil. Well, that would be interesting to observe, though could only result in disappointment for Miss Hazlett.
Araminta took the parcel from her and leaned her head closer. “I cannot but be repulsed by who you are, but the fact remains that we can, I believe, be useful to one another.” She gave a decisive nod. “Yes! You can be my little spy in return for the means I provide that will enable you to gain entry to similar entertainments.”
The girl cut her off. “I see little chance of that happening. I’m a governess and I have two little girls to take charge of.”
Irritated as she always was when anything interfered with her plans, Araminta glowered. Then her brow cleared. “So this Master Cosmo fancies himself as a portraitist, does he? Oh, don’t look at me like that! Of course, I guessed the truth.” Araminta laughed. “And that he wishes to be one of us. His family aspires to be like us. Like me, I mean. Oh, do say he has a sister about to make her debut? Good Lord! That’s too marvelous. In order to achieve my aims, I shall work my magic so that you’re given the time off to do as I require. Never at the same entertainment as me, you understand. But there will be occasions when you will be useful.
“Meanwhile, you can help Master Cosmo see his way to becoming London’s finest portraitist. You can sketch his portraits for him and I can have you supply me with the information I’m interested in. And I thought this was going to be the dreariest second season ever!”
***
D espite concerns over the potential pitfalls of Araminta’s plans, Lissa returned home in high spirits that were quickly quashed.
One minute she’d been imagining herself the belle of the ball, dressed in her half-sister’s glorious diaphanous creations, the next minute her arm had been snatched by Cosmo, who hauled her into the gloomy cavity beneath the stairs.
His eyes were black with anger in his pasty white face as he raked his fingers through his fashionable ‘Titus’ coiffure. “Lord Debenham is highly pleased by his sketch, which I presented this morning.” He pursed his thin lips. “I told him I’d executed it from a brief study of him yesterday and now it seems half of the ton wants something similar! What am I to do?”
Lissa drew back at his agitation. She’d seen him in such moods when he completely lost control and now that she was alone with him, she was frightened. First, he paced between the stairs and the end of the corridor, then he loomed over her, clearly using his height and bulk to intimidate her. “A pretty state of affairs this is, isn’t it?”
“I thought that was what you wanted.”
This didn’t seem to be the right approach. Lissa thought quickly. Cosmo was volatile and she’d seen him smash the nearest item at hand during his temper tantrums. But now she had an answer that she was reasonably sure would placate him.
Careful that she gave no sign of being intimidated, she managed calmly, “I carried off yesterday’s charade with no one being the wiser, and, only today, I’ve ensured a regular supply of suitable gowns for any occasion, Master Cosmo. Moreover, I have befriended a viscount’s daughter, who has promised to introduce Miss Maria to any potential suitor whose interest she cares to engage. There! I hope you are as
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