Page 13 of The Truth Serum
She smiled wanly at her brother. He couldn’t possibly think that the duke would take one look at her and drop his affianced bride. Especially with her sitting in the room!
“Fletcher, this is a ladies’ tea.”
“No buts. Learn what you can about her and most especially about that potion. If she believes in that, then she can be manipulated.”
“You should talk to the duke directly. You don’t need me to—”
“If he’s going to marry you, then you must be involved! Rebecca, this is why you haven’t taken in previous Seasons. You don’t think strategically. But never fear, I shall show you the way.” He patted her knee fondly. “I fear moldering in the country has dulled your wits.”
He wasn’t the only one to think that. As much as she loved her life back home, many of her days did indeed feel dull. Certainly, she found ways to fill her time, but she often longed for more. Something that occupied her mind. Or perhapssomeone. All of her friends were wed, and many already had their first child. She’d begun to feel like a forgotten piece of clothing stuck at the back of a wardrobe. She couldn’t wait to be pulled out and worn, so to speak, so that she could finally be used as a woman was meant to be used.
She wanted a husband and children. She hoped for some activity that was more fulfilling than making sure her mama’s tea was at the right temperature. And she was desperate formore intellectual stimulation than being told that warts could be cured by washing one’s feet under the light of the full moon.
But in order to do that, she had to find a husband. And one that was not the engaged Duke of Harle!
“This is my first meeting with Miss Petrelli,” she said. “I’ll do what I can, but some women are not amenable to talking about the way they caught a fiancé.”
“Good,” Fletcher said. “And one more thing. If Ras isn’t there, I’ll endeavor to leave you women alone. Privacy should encourage intimacy. Perhaps I’ll visit Lord Nathanial. He’s staying there, recuperating from his latest drunken orgy.”
Rebecca jolted. She had years of practice learning to control her expression, but the sound of Nate’s name on Fletcher’s lips never failed to pull a cringing reaction out of her. He knew that, of course, so his gaze was steady on her face, watching her every reaction. But try as she might, she couldn’t suppress her next words.
“He’s there?” He’d be within several feet of her. So close she could speak to him if she wanted. If Fletcher didn’t interfere. And if… “Did you say drunken orgy?” She wasn’t even supposed to know what that meant, but she did. She was well-read in many things that were not typical fare for young women.
“Yes, apparently it devolved into a brawl and…” Fletcher shrugged. “Well, the details don’t matter. He’ll tell you he was accosted by thieves or some such thing. It’s a convenient lie.”
She swallowed. She didn’t want to know more about the man she’d once thought was the love of her life. Except that was a lie. She did want to know. Desperately.
“Why is he there?” To the place they were going to. Right now!
“Ras has a soft heart for old friends despite how very hideously they’ve grown up. I mean to tell him so. Associating with that roue will only destroy him.”
Rebecca frowned. “I doubt the duke has to worry about losing status.”
Her brother sighed. “Everyoneworries about losing status. And every man has a soft spot. You must be careful not to tread heavily upon it. The duke’s blindness is in his love for that cretin, so you must not speak ill of him.”
“Of Lord Nathanial?” How her throat closed up when she spoke his name. Even now, ten years later, too many emotions crowded her whenever she thought of him. She’d best keep the man firmly shoved into the back corner of her mind.
“Yes. Him.” The word was heavy with hatred. “Don’t say a word against him to the duke, but you can encourage Miss Petrelli to voice whatever objections she may have. And be sure to tell me her confidences. I’ll give Ras the information in a way that he will hear. Do you understand?”
Rebecca nodded, though she kept her lips buttoned. She understood what he wanted. He didn’t understand that she had no intention of betraying anyone’s confidences, much less the future Duchess of Harle’s.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to hold her tongue for long. Their carriage arrived at the ducal residence. Fletcher took a moment to inspect her from head to toe, nod his satisfaction at her appearance, and then smile reassuringly at her.
“This is a delicate situation with a great deal of potential,” he whispered before the door opened. “I am relying upon you.”
Rebecca descended from the carriage first, her gaze already jumping to the house. Miss Petrelli must have been watching for them because the butler had already swung open the door and the lady was just stepping out. That gave Rebecca a few moments to assess the woman as she began the walk up the path.
Brown hair, sweet smile, and a composed way of moving. That made sense, given the amount of gossip surrounding her.Rebecca knew from experience that gossip tended to dampen any person’s enthusiasm. But she also seemed genuinely warm as she held out her hands in greeting.
“Lady Rebecca, I’m so pleased you could visit.”
“It is my pleasure,” Rebecca answered. “Though, I must be honest, your invitation surprised me.”
“I shall be happy to explain…” Miss Petrelli’s voice faded as her gaze went over Rebecca’s shoulder to where Fletcher descended from the carriage. All warmth bled from her expression as her chin lifted, and her jaw tightened.
Clearly oblivious to the reaction, her brother gave an expansive greeting. “Miss Petrelli!” he exclaimed as he walked up the path. “What a pleasure to see you this day.”
“Lord Fletcher.” Miss Petrelli’s tone was icy cold. “I am surprised to see you here for a lady’s tea.”
