Treacherous Temptations(5)

“What? What?” He blinked at her stupidly.

“How soon, Sir Richard?” she asked.

His bushy brows furrowed.

Barbara hid her annoyance. “The girl, Miss Edwardes. How soon does she arrive?”

“Why I imagine as soon as a coach can be sent to collect her.”

“Then I shall send mine at once. Better yet,” she decided, “I shall go to Leicester and collect her myself.” Her mind was already abuzz. Sir Richard’s predicament with his ward had provided the very opportunity she sought. Her incipient plan, beautiful in its sheer simplicity had taken root. If she played her cards right, she would once again have the means to live out her life according to her true station.

“I’d call that a capital idea, madam! Simply capital. I’ll send word. Shall I accompany you?”

Barbara suppressed a shudder. “How gallant, Sir Richard, but I would never dream of asking. A gentleman of your standing surely has more pressing business. Besides, ‘tis but two days to Leicester with a coach-and-six. If you would simply engage some extra footmen and outriders, and place a second carriage at my disposal for baggage and servants, I am certain to manage very well.”

“All will be done as you wish, my pet.” He smiled benignly.

She toyed with his cravat, her gently arched brows pulling together in a slight frown. “Darling, I fear I must trespass once more upon your munificence regarding her expenses.”

“Expenses?” His expression darkened.

“Indeed, Sir Richard! If she is truly as gauche as you say, I wouldn’t dare bring her to town until she is presentable. That will require a complete wardrobe, as well as the services of a proper abigail and dancing master. You say she is an heiress; has she any jewels of her own? If not, these must be procured as well.” She ran a manicured finger over his fleshy lips. “You do wish her to make the best possible impression, do you not? If you truly wish me to take her under my wing, you must understand there will be considerable costs involved.”

His scowl deepened. “And I suppose you expect me to provide you a blank check?”

“How else is it to be done?” she asked. “Or do you intend to just spring your hoyden upon the ton?

“If I must, then I bloody well must.” He gave a resigned groan, adding. “Just remember, Barbara, that I always expect a return on an investment.”

Barbara flashed her most effulgent smile. “But of course, darling.”

It was more than she could have wished for. Unwittingly, the man who held her captive to his prurient desires had just provided her the very means to break free. Once the heiress was in her grasp, she would debase herself no longer by servicing this fat, flatulent, fool.

Inspired with new hope of independence, she cast a sidelong glance to the ticking grandfather clock. He had been twenty minutes already and she had so very much to do. “Shall I ring now for tea, Sir Richard?” she asked sweetly, rising in a swish of silk and tugging the bell pull before he could answer.

First, would be a summons to Hadley. It would take weeks to reach him in Rome, but he was vital to her plan. If carried out with proper skill and circumspection, their prospects would be incontrovertibly altered, and their future secured after these miserable years apart. She and he were in a like position, each a whore to the same master; she as Sir Richard’s mistress and Hadley as his spy on the Pretender.

She thought of him now with mixed feelings of yearning and resentment. He had once panted after her as devoted and adoring as a lapdog, but the years and distance had changed him, had hardened him. His once frequent letters had become both rare and terse, and although she had secured his very means of livelihood, he had shown little appreciation for her efforts. Yet, given his antipathy for his present circumstances, she doubted persuasion would prove very difficult.

Barbara’s heart surged with renewed confidence that with an heiress in her grasp she would have the means to bring Hadley to heel once more.





Chapter Four


Welham Grove, Leicestershire—May 1727

“Miss Molly! Miss Molly! You have never seen such a thing!” the breathless maid charged into Mary’s sanctuary. “’Tis the most splendid sight ye ever seen. Almost like a parade it is. Three fine coaches coming up the drive! Three, mind you! With outriders! And Jacobs the groom says the first one be pulled by the prettiest team o’ six he ever laid eyes on.”

“What on earth?” Mary tossed her book aside and jumped to her feet. Trotting to the window that faced out upon the circular drive, she peeled back the heavy draperies to steal a look at the procession.

“You see, Miss? Isn’t it grand?” Jenny squealed.

Mary’s squinting effort defined the escutcheon of a boar and shield on the red-lacquered traveling coach, identifying her approaching guest as a person of great consequence. She wondered who had come and why. No guest at Welham Grove had ever arrived with such pomp and circumstance. Sir Richard was the closest she had ever been to nobility and he was only a Knight of the Shire.

Mary turned to her maid, with her pulse racing. “Notify cook that she must prepare a formal tea at once. With only the best silver and china, mind you. You must then hurry back to my chamber to help me to dress. Make haste, Jenny!”

“Aye, miss!” The maid lifted her skirts and darted out the door.