A Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets Book 2), Laura Beers [i read books TXT] 📗

long enough to use the privy and stretch our legs.”

Emmeline smiled as she teased, “You have been complaining since we left Hawthorne House.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” Emmeline said. “I just find it humorous you hate riding in a coach as much as you do.”

“I am used to riding on the back of the coach,” Mary commented. “It is much more enjoyable and not nearly as stuffy.” She grinned. “Although, you do risk the chance of swallowing a bug.”

“A bug?”

Mary nodded. “It isn’t as awful as it sounds.”

“Well, I am grateful that you accompanied me to Lockhart Manor,” Emmeline said.

“You don’t have to keep thanking me for doing my job, milady.”

Emmeline ran her fingers along the coral necklace around her neck. “I was saddened that Oliver was not there to see us off.”

“Did you expect any different?” Mary asked in a knowing tone.

“I suppose not,” she muttered.

Mary tilted her chin. “Are you sure he even came home last night?”

“He did, and Jane confirmed that Baldwin informed him that I was leaving.”

“Then he is a jackanapes,” Mary declared.

A giggle escaped Emmeline’s lips at the unexpected remark. “That is terrible of you to say. After all, he is still my husband.”

“He is the worst of husbands,” Mary pointed out. “He didn’t even try to stop you from leaving.”

“I daresay that it wouldn’t have made a difference.”

“I know, but he still should have made some sort of effort.”

Emmeline bobbed her head. “I agree,” she replied. “Perhaps his heart will soften while I am away.”

“Or it will harden even more.”

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.

“It’s lovely,” Emmeline remarked.

“That it is, milady.”

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 couldn’t 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.

“Good evening, milady,” he said, opening the door wide. “We have been expecting you.”

“You have?” she asked as she stepped into the entry hall.

“Mr. Clarke sent a rider to inform us that you would be traveling shortly to tour the property,” he explained. “I do apologize that we weren’t waiting out front for your arrival.”

“You will find that I rarely stand on ceremony.” 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.

“Welcome to Lockhart Manor,” the butler said. “My name is Arthur Grubbs, milady, and I have been the butler here for the past twenty years.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Grubbs.”

The butler eyed her for a moment. “I must say that you bear an uncanny likeness to your mother.”

“You knew my mother?”

He nodded. “She would occasionally travel with the late Lord Taylor to tour the manor,” he revealed.

“I hadn’t realized,” she admitted. “I’m afraid I have only recently learned about Lockhart Manor.”

“Would you care for a tour?” he asked.

“I would, very much.”

Before he could start the tour, an older woman with silver hair approached them with an apologetic look on her face. “I do apologize for not being here when you arrived, milady,” she said in between breaths. “I was speaking to the cook about our supper.”

Grubbs gestured towards the woman. “Allow me to introduce you to the housekeeper, Mrs. Winters.”

Mrs. Winters dropped into a curtsy. “It is a pleasure to meet you, milady.”

Emmeline tipped her head. “Likewise, Mrs. Winters.”

“Were you able to travel with a lady’s maid?”

“I was.”

“Excellent,” Mrs. Winters said. “I will personally ensure that she is properly settled.”

“I would appreciate that.”

Mrs. Winters turned her attention towards Grubbs. “I would be more than happy to take Lady Oliver on a tour of the manor.”

Grubbs offered her a stiff bow. “Thank you, Mrs. Winters.”

As the butler walked down the hall, Mrs. Winters gave her an expectant look. “If you are not opposed, we will start the tour in the drawing room just off the entry hall.”

“That sounds delightful.”

Mrs. Winters gestured towards a door to her right and said, “After you, milady.”

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.

“This room is exquisite,” she said.

Standing in the doorway, Mrs. Winters nodded in approval. “During the day, the windows in this room allow plenty of light,” she shared. “Would you care to see the dining room now?”

“I would,” she replied, walking towards the door.

“The main level holds a drawing room, dining room, library, study, and a morning room,” Mrs. Winters explained as she stepped back. “The upper level has an additional drawing room and six bedchambers.”

“There is a library?” Emmeline asked eagerly.

“Yes, milady,” Mrs. Winters replied as she led her down a narrow hall. “It is next to the study, and I must admit that it is your uncle’s favorite room, as well.”

“It is?”

Speaking over her shoulder, Mrs. Winters informed her, “He spends most of the time in the library when he comes to visit with Lady Taylor.”

“How often does my uncle visit Lockhart Manor?”

“Every few months or so,” Mrs. Winters replied, “but he doesn’t always bring Lady Taylor with him.”

Her steps faltered. “Truly?”

Mrs. Winters looked back at her in surprise. “Is there an issue with Lord Taylor visiting Lockhart Manor?”

“I suppose not,” she muttered.

“Frankly, we were all rather surprised to discover that you had inherited the estate,” Mrs. Winters shared as she came to a stop in front of an open door. “We had just assumed Lord Taylor held ownership of the property.”

“I only recently learned