Page 3 of Keeper of Secrets

The other comfort had been the great kindness of her father’s third cousin, Lady Mildred Wayland.A woman who’d not even known Chloe prior to the solicitor dropping Chloe on Mildred’s door.Mildred had been a wonderful comfort and friend over the past year.

The woman’s soft laugh filled the carriage now.“Impressive, isn’t it?”

Chloe straightened away from the window, smoothing her skirts.She was showing her country upbringing by being so obviously beguiled.People from the city were rarely interested in anything as far as she could tell, and they certainly weren’t awed by the city in which they lived.

She tried to emulate that bored disdain now.“It does smell rather boorish.”

Mildred smiled, still visible in the growing darkness of the carriage.“It does.It’s one of the many reasons I’ve always preferred Berkshire.Fresh, clean air.”

Mildred drew in a deep breath, as though she were back in the country, smelling the crisp pine scent that permeated the air this time of year.Mildred never appeared bored or disdainful.The woman was constantly on the move, filled with sunshine and purpose.

“How often do you come to London then?”

“Quite often.”Mildred leaned closer to give Chloe a conspiratorial whisper as though they weren’t alone.“My nephew needs a great deal of guidance.”

Chloe gave an involuntary shiver at the mention of the duke.Mildred’s nephew, the Duke of Helmsworth, was Chloe’s new guardian.

Even in Mildred’s home, rumors swirled about the man.Dark, dangerous, a rake, a debaucher, a gambler, he was called wild, and that was the nice word…

According to Mildred, he was an untamed man with a good heart.Chloe had no idea how true that statement was.During her brief stay with Mildred, Chloe had learned that Mildred tended to see the best in life and in people.Not that Mildred was a pushover, as far as Chloe could tell, the other woman ran her house and her affairs with exceptional competence.She just did so with a smile and a kind word.

A fact that Chloe greatly appreciated.Except for when it came to Helmsworth… she didn’t wish to see the man for what he might someday be, she needed a decent guardian now.One who could help her find the right future.And by future, Chloe meant husband.

At the age of nineteen, she was more than ready to marry.And it didn’t need to be for love.She was adrift at sea, and marriage would most certainly be the port she required.

She was through her mourning period, and with a bit of luck, the right connections, and a little money, she could make a decent match.

But her new guardian would need to dress her for the season, perhaps fill in some parts of her education, and provide a modest dowry that her father hadn’t given her.

Vicar Fairchild had been good at many things but managing finances had not been one of them.

Chloe sighed, her thoughts returning to the duke.Financial backing was a big ask for anyone.But she suspected the favor would be enormous for the duke, who’d yet to find the heart in his chest.

Though she wasn’t without assets in the hunt for a husband.She’d been told she was very pretty.And she had a natural understanding of people, but particularly of men, and how to illicit her desired reaction from them.

She smoothed down the simple skirts of her wool gown, a traveling gift from Mildred, and tried to calm her racing thoughts.She’d have no idea how to win the duke’s support until she met him.It was silly to worry about the topic now.“Will your nephew be in attendance when we arrive?”

“Difficult to say…” Mildred’s lips pursed as she sat back in her seat.“He’s a man who is used to the freedom that comes with his position.He comes and goes as he pleases.”

These were not words that filled Chloe with even a bit of confidence.“You’re certain he wants me here?”

“Want, dear?”Mildred’s hesitation was gone, an easy smile touching her lips now.“It’s not a matter of want but duty, and he understands that very well.”

Chloe didn’t answer, returning her gaze back out the window.She had Mildred.That was enough.She didn’t need the duke to like her or want her just… help her.A little.

The carriage slowed as the large metal gates swung open.Chloe tried not to stare.She’d never seen the likes of this home with its vast stone front and sweeping manicured lawns.Were they not still in London?

She drew in a tremulous breath as the front door opened and she saw an army of staff coming down the massive stone steps to meet them.

Mildred exited first, her tall, graceful figure looking completely at home in the grand landscape.“Is my nephew home?”

Chloe took the hand of a footman, exiting as well.“No mum,” one of the servants answered.“Away on business for a few days at least.”

Mildred nodded and then looked back at Chloe with a wink.“Perfect.We’ll fill our time preparing for the season while we wait for his return.”

Chloe didn’t answer as she followed Mildred inside.“I’ll write a note to my dear friend, the Countess of Milford.She’ll know which events we should attend.We’ll have tea with her tomorrow, I think, after we’ve gone shopping.”

“Of course,” Chloe’s stomach filled with nervous butterflies.She’d guess even afternoon tea was different here.

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