A Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets Book 2) by Laura Beers (well read books .txt) ๐
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- Author: Laura Beers
Read book online ยซA Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets Book 2) by Laura Beers (well read books .txt) ๐ยป. Author - Laura Beers
Emmeline smiled as she teased, โYou have been complaining since we left Hawthorne House.โ
โIโm sorry.โ
โNo need to apologize,โ Emmeline said. โI just find it humorous you hate riding in a coach as much as you do.โ
โI am used to riding on the back of the coach,โ Mary commented. โIt is much more enjoyable and not nearly as stuffy.โ She grinned. โAlthough, you do risk the chance of swallowing a bug.โ
โA bug?โ
Mary nodded. โIt isnโt as awful as it sounds.โ
โWell, I am grateful that you accompanied me to Lockhart Manor,โ Emmeline said.
โYou donโt have to keep thanking me for doing my job, milady.โ
Emmeline ran her fingers along the coral necklace around her neck. โI was saddened that Oliver was not there to see us off.โ
โDid you expect any different?โ Mary asked in a knowing tone.
โI suppose not,โ she muttered.
Mary tilted her chin. โAre you sure he even came home last night?โ
โHe did, and Jane confirmed that Baldwin informed him that I was leaving.โ
โThen he is a jackanapes,โ Mary declared.
A giggle escaped Emmelineโs lips at the unexpected remark. โThat is terrible of you to say. After all, he is still my husband.โ
โHe is the worst of husbands,โ Mary pointed out. โHe didnโt even try to stop you from leaving.โ
โI daresay that it wouldnโt have made a difference.โ
โI know, but he still should have made some sort of effort.โ
Emmeline bobbed her head. โI agree,โ she replied. โPerhaps his heart will soften while I am away.โ
โOr it will harden even more.โ
The coach turned onto a road leading them up a long, winding hill towards a modest manor situated near a cliff. As they approached, Emmeline admired the bow front, canopied balconies, and an expansive green lawn that surrounded the property.
โItโs lovely,โ Emmeline remarked.
โThat it is, milady.โ
The coach came to a stop in a circular gravel courtyard, and Emmeline waited impatiently for the footman to place the step down. Once the door opened, she accepted his hand and exited the coach.
Bright, colorful flowers lined the sides of the brick manor, and she couldnโt help but smile. The main door opened, and a portly man with slicked-down brown hair greeted her with a polite smile on his lips.
โGood evening, milady,โ he said, opening the door wide. โWe have been expecting you.โ
โYou have?โ she asked as she stepped into the entry hall.
โMr. Clarke sent a rider to inform us that you would be traveling shortly to tour the property,โ he explained. โI do apologize that we werenโt waiting out front for your arrival.โ
โYou will find that I rarely stand on ceremony.โ Her eyes scanned the entry hall and noted the ornate woodwork and ivory-papered walls. A set of narrow stairs ran along one wall to the second level.
โWelcome to Lockhart Manor,โ the butler said. โMy name is Arthur Grubbs, milady, and I have been the butler here for the past twenty years.โ
โIt is a pleasure to meet you, Grubbs.โ
The butler eyed her for a moment. โI must say that you bear an uncanny likeness to your mother.โ
โYou knew my mother?โ
He nodded. โShe would occasionally travel with the late Lord Taylor to tour the manor,โ he revealed.
โI hadnโt realized,โ she admitted. โIโm afraid I have only recently learned about Lockhart Manor.โ
โWould you care for a tour?โ he asked.
โI would, very much.โ
Before he could start the tour, an older woman with silver hair approached them with an apologetic look on her face. โI do apologize for not being here when you arrived, milady,โ she said in between breaths. โI was speaking to the cook about our supper.โ
Grubbs gestured towards the woman. โAllow me to introduce you to the housekeeper, Mrs. Winters.โ
Mrs. Winters dropped into a curtsy. โIt is a pleasure to meet you, milady.โ
Emmeline tipped her head. โLikewise, Mrs. Winters.โ
โWere you able to travel with a ladyโs maid?โ
โI was.โ
โExcellent,โ Mrs. Winters said. โI will personally ensure that she is properly settled.โ
โI would appreciate that.โ
Mrs. Winters turned her attention towards Grubbs. โI would be more than happy to take Lady Oliver on a tour of the manor.โ
Grubbs offered her a stiff bow. โThank you, Mrs. Winters.โ
As the butler walked down the hall, Mrs. Winters gave her an expectant look. โIf you are not opposed, we will start the tour in the drawing room just off the entry hall.โ
โThat sounds delightful.โ
Mrs. Winters gestured towards a door to her right and said, โAfter you, milady.โ
Emmeline stepped into the room that the housekeeper indicated and was impressed by the green-papered walls and large fireplace that dominated one wall. A shiny, black pianoforte sat in the corner and blue velvet settees were arranged in the middle of the room.
โThis room is exquisite,โ she said.
Standing in the doorway, Mrs. Winters nodded in approval. โDuring the day, the windows in this room allow plenty of light,โ she shared. โWould you care to see the dining room now?โ
โI would,โ she replied, walking towards the door.
โThe main level holds a drawing room, dining room, library, study, and a morning room,โ Mrs. Winters explained as she stepped back. โThe upper level has an additional drawing room and six bedchambers.โ
โThere is a library?โ Emmeline asked eagerly.
โYes, milady,โ Mrs. Winters replied as she led her down a narrow hall. โIt is next to the study, and I must admit that it is your uncleโs favorite room, as well.โ
โIt is?โ
Speaking over her shoulder, Mrs. Winters informed her, โHe spends most of the time in the library when he comes to visit with Lady Taylor.โ
โHow often does my uncle visit Lockhart Manor?โ
โEvery few months or so,โ Mrs. Winters replied, โbut he doesnโt always bring Lady Taylor with him.โ
Her steps faltered. โTruly?โ
Mrs. Winters looked back at her in surprise. โIs there an issue with Lord Taylor visiting Lockhart Manor?โ
โI suppose not,โ she muttered.
โFrankly, we were all rather surprised to discover that you had inherited the estate,โ Mrs. Winters shared as she came to a stop in front of an open door. โWe had just assumed Lord Taylor held ownership of the property.โ
โI only recently learned
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