The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies) by Michaels, Maddison (short books to read TXT) 📕

Not to mention the three men Sebastian had tasked with following her were hiding in the shadows somewhere near the entrance. If there were trouble, they’d hear it in this silence, and hopefully come running.

The weight of the pistol nestled in the pocket of the skirts of her gown was a welcome relief. She’d at least come with some form of protection, and though she didn’t think Mary meant her, or rather Lady Chilton, any harm, it was always best to be prepared for the unexpected.

Why had Mary arranged to meet in such a place, and at midnight, too? Yes, obviously they could talk without fear of being overheard, as the place was completely deserted, because who in their right mind would frequent a cemetery at this hour? Unless, of course, the location had been specifically chosen to terrify Lady Chilton. A distinct possibility.

The path curved to the left and, as Livie followed it around, the towering wings of the angel headstone glinted ahead. But there wasn’t anyone else in the vicinity, at least not that she could see.

Glancing down at the small watch brooch she’d pinned to the lapel of her jacket, Livie was happy to see it hadn’t yet reached midnight, which meant she was early and wouldn’t miss the girl.

Although she hadn’t really factored into the equation that coming early meant she’d be surrounding herself in the dark night in a desolate cemetery while she waited for Mary to show up. Placing the lantern on the waist-height base of the statue, Livie switched her cane into her left hand, freeing her right arm in case she needed to grab her pistol.

She’d written in her note to Sebastian the time and meeting place, and that if he did plan on attending, to stay out of sight. However, it didn’t seem he’d arrived yet, but then again she was early.

The wind howled particularly loudly right at that moment, sounding like a banshee screeching into the night. Lovely. Just lovely. The exact company she didn’t want while waiting. But answers were needed, and Livie got the sense that Mary would have them, or at least some of them. So, wait she would.

“I’m ’ere,” a girl’s voice sounded from behind the headstone. “And I ’ope you got the money you offered for the journal with you, Lady Chilton.”

Livie’s whole body clenched in surprise at suddenly not being alone. She shoved her hand into her pocket and grasped the handle of the pistol, watching as a girl stepped out from behind the angel to walk cautiously over to where she was standing. It appeared as if the girl hadn’t had a proper feed in weeks, the black service garment she wore hanging limply from her frame, her brown hair tied haphazardly behind her head and deep shadows under her eyes marring her pale, almost translucent skin. “Mary?”

The girl nodded, her gaze narrowing in suspicion.

“Now, please don’t be worried or upset,” Livie said, releasing her grip on the pistol still nestled in her pocket and drawing her hand up to the veil covering her face. She pushed it above her head, revealing herself to the girl. “My name is Lady Olivia Haliford.”

The girl froze, and for a moment Livie didn’t know whether she would flee or not, such was the fear on her gaunt face.

“Wh-what are you doing ’ere?” she stammered, annoyance starting to replace her fear. “I was meant to meet with Lady Chilton.”

“I offered to come in her place,” Livie explained. “For I must speak with you about Alice.”

At the mention of Alice’s name, the girl’s eyes filled with tears. “She’s dead. What’s there to say?”

“I must get justice for her.” Livie stepped over to the girl and picked up her ice-cold hands in her own. “My goodness, you’re freezing!” Quickly, Livie stripped off her own gloves and pushed them into Mary’s hands. “Here, put these on. And take this too.” Deftly she swung off her cloak and held it out to the girl.

“I can’t be takin no charity from you!” Mary’s whole body was braced in affront, though Livie could see the desperation warring with pride in her eyes. Odd, considering she apparently stole some of Alice’s jewels upon fleeing.

“It’s not charity, I assure you. I need to know about the man who seduced and then abandoned Alice, and if you freeze to death, you’ll be of little help to me.” She pushed the cloak into the girl’s arms. “Now take it. The material of my dress and petticoats is far warmer than what you’ve got on.”

With some reluctance, the girl put on the gloves and then wrapped the cloak over her shoulders. Livie could almost see her body soak up the warmth.

“Now tell me please, who was the man who seduced Alice?” Livie asked, trying to keep the desperation from her voice. “I must know. He must pay for seducing and then abandoning her.”

“Don’t ya mean murderin’ ’er?”

“You believe she was murdered, too?” Livie felt her pulse quicken.

Mary shrugged. “I don’t know if you know ’bout her condition or not.”

“I know she was with child,” Livie replied.

“Aye. And the bastard who seduced her didn’t want nothin’ to do with her or the child. He refused to marry her, even Lord Chilton tried to make him, especially as she was pregnant.”

“Lord Chilton knew she was with child?” Lady Chilton had led Livie to believe she was the only one to know of Alice’s secret.

“He did,” Mary confirmed. “Poor Miss Alice. She was desperate at first. Her sister was gonna send her to the country during her confinement, then have the child given to an orphanage when it was born, with Miss Alice returning to London and none would be the wiser. But Miss Alice refused. She came up with her own plan, to move to America and pretend she was a pregnant widow.”

It was what Alice had written to Livie of her plans. Well, except the part about being with child. “She said