Page 22 of Rakes & Reticules
Siobhan conceded that with his wavy chestnut hair, bottle-green eyes, and tall, lithe build, her employer wasn’t an eyesore.
“Naturally, Fletcher requires discretion, as do I.” The beauty laughed, a tinkling, well-practiced chime. “My husband wouldn’t approve. You would be doing me a tremendous favor, child.”
Lady Huxley had bent over, purposely exposing more bosom than was seemly. Her cloying perfume had sent Siobhan into a sneezing fit.
Siobhan held a very different view of adultery than her ladyship. To her, marriage was a sacred institution. However, amongst theton, infidelity was as common and overlooked as beggars on the street.
Besides, who was she to judge her employer, who she had gleaned in the short time she’d been atDe la Chance, had quite a reputation as a rake? Half the women attending the social club sent him coy smiles and blinked their eyelashes like the harlot Jezebel herself in blatant invitation.
“Naturally, I trust you won’t read the contents.” Lady Huxley curved her rouged mouth into a siren’s smile. “Such intimacies are not meant to be shared. But I don’t suppose you can read, so there’s no need for concern.”
Siobhan had procured a bland smile at the unintended insult.
She could read and write.
However, if the love note had only been to arrange an assignation, why had Mr. Westbrook posted extra security this morning? And why had Mrs. Dough tisked and tutted at the market earlier about strange happenings?
What have I done?
“I cannot lose this position,” Siobhan whispered, unwrapping the scarf around her neck to allow blessedly cool air to caress her hot skin. Since last night, her throat had become scratchier, and swallowing pained her. “I cannot,must not, become ill, either.”
She feared it might be too late for the latter, but she mustn’t go home.
Lost work meant lost wages.
Despite what she’d told Mr. Westbrook earlier, Kimber might well need a physician.
How much treatment and medicines would a pound cover?
Siobhan could save money by allowing Mr. Westbrook to examine Kimber. However, she couldn’t trust her siblings not to reveal the truth about her accidentally.
That must never happen.
It was one thing for a duke’s handsome, wealthy adopted son to show kindness and munificence toward Siobhan but another entirely for him to forgive her for betraying him.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Halfway to the kitchen, she stopped and dropped her chin to her chest.
She must tell Mr. Westbrook about the note and her part in delivering the scrap of paper.
It was the right thing to do, no matter the consequences.
Her conscience demanded it.
She wasn’t, however, revealing her gender. There remained the tiniest chance Mr. Westbrook wouldn’t sack her because she’d done the right thing.
And if wishes were whisky, everyone would dance jigs, as Da used to say.
After wrapping the scratchy scarf around her neck again, Siobhan pressed a hand to her waffy stomach.
“God save me. Greed brought me to this point.” Not so much greed but concern about Kimber.Eejit. “It’s no more than I deserve.”
Regardless, it wasn’t what Kimber and Paddy deserved.
Heaving a sigh, Siobhan changed directions and forced her feet to move forward. With each step, her head became foggier and her stomach more nauseous.
Outside Mr. Westbrook’s door, she closed her eyes to regain her equanimity while reaching into her pocket and extracting the pound note. She might never touch this much money again.
