Page 23 of Rakes & Reticules
Muted voices echoed from within.
Summoning every morsel of courage she possessed, she knocked.
“Come.” Mr. Westbrook’s melodic baritone bid her enter.
She pushed the handle and stepped inside.
He sat behind his big desk, seemingly relaxed, though he exchanged a speaking glance with Mr. Chandler.
“Yes, Sean?”
It came out in a rush.
“Last night, Lady Huxley gave me a pound to deliver a letter to you with arrangements for an assignation.” Flames licked Siobhan’s cheeks, although whether from embarrassment or fever, Siobhan did not know.
At this juncture, she didn’t care.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
It was all she could do to remain upright.
“I should have refused and come straight to you, Mr. Westbrook, or you, Mr. Chandler.” She flicked the stern-faced head of security a short glance. His mien remained unchanged. “The truth is, sir, I honestly didn’t know if ladies regularly made arrangements to—ah—meet with you, and I only meant to be helpful.”
Was there a more delicate way to say arranged for a clandestine dalliance?
Mr. Chandler’s mouth twitched before he schooled his features into neutrality again.
She marched forward and laid the money on Mr. Westbrook’s desk.
Pray Kimber was strong enough to fight whatever ailed her.
“So you didn’t read the letter?” Mr. Westbrook leaned forward, steepling his fingers and veeing his sable brows together. “Do you know how to read?”
“I do know how.” Siobhan drew herself up, her pride stinging despite being at fault. “But I did not read the letter. It was sealed.”
As if that explanation clarified everything.
Besides, Mr. Westbrook could easily tell she hadn’t disturbed the wax.
“I made a stupid decision because my sisterissick and needs a doctor. But I am not dishonest.”
Well, shewasdishonest—even now, Siobhan pretended to be a boy, but only because she had no choice. She would not prostitute herself, and neither could she watch her siblings starve.
However, she did possess honor and integrity.
“That is why I am here.” She lowered her gaze partly from humiliation and partly because he might guess how ill she was. “I’m truly sorry. I know I betrayed your trust.”
Swallowing, she swayed and put a hand to her forehead, pushing her hat back.
Her head swam dizzily, and it felt like the very flames of hell licked her body.
“Sean?” Mr. Westbrook’s voice came from far away.
Had he stood?
This wasn’t good.
Not good at all.
