Page 28 of The Counterfeit Scoundrel
Although he’d instructed her to sit in the chair near his desk, he was standing at the window, watching hercautiously as though expecting her to deliver a blow of some sort. She feared that was exactly what she was going to do.
“You have something to report?” he finally asked. He was a tall, gangly man with deep-set brown eyes that seemed to take in everything.
“I’m afraid I can now confirm that your wife is indeed having an affair with Mr. Blackwood.”
“You’ve seen them together, then?”
Telling him the truth was going to be far more difficult than she’d expected. He seemed the decent sort. And kind. “In his bedchamber last night, kissing. Will that be enough, do you think, for the courts?”
He gave her his back, looking out the window, no doubt hoping she wouldn’t see how devastated he was. “It’s enough for me. That’s all that matters. Thank you, Miss Townsend. I’ll see you paid straightaway the remainder of what I owe you.”
“I’m sorry the news couldn’t have been more cheerful.”
“As am I.”
“I’ll see myself out.” She rose—
“Does he appear to be kind to her?”
Oh, God, why didn’t he just ask her to flay his heart and hers? “He treats her well, I think.” Except for having other paramours, but she didn’t want to tell him that bit. “I have the impression she enjoys his company.”
He merely nodded. And she left him there, standing alone at the window, staring out upon a world that probably appeared somewhat different and drearier now.
Once she was on the street, she couldn’t bring herself to head straight back to Bishop’s residence. She had no reason to return at all, except she hadn’t givennotice and felt an obligation to officially end matters with Perkins, since he’d hired her. She would tell him tonight, leave on the morrow, and send Annie back to him in the afternoon. For now, however, she was in need of comfort and went to her aunt’s residence.
Daisy was in the parlor pouring herself a brandy when Aunt Charlotte strolled in.
“Bit early in the day for that.”
She turned and her aunt’s eyes widened. “My dear girl, whatever is amiss? I’ve never known you to look so forlorn.”
“I had to give my client some rather devastating news.” She dropped onto the sofa and took a sip. “It was harder than I expected it to be. I became a sleuth to help people, and right now I feel as though I destroyed a man.”
“Well that Blackguard Blackwood deserves it, carrying on as he does.” She helped herself to some port and joined Daisy on the sofa.
“Not him. He’ll survive. It’s Mr. Parker. His wife is shagging about.”
“Were you peering through the keyhole?”
“No, but I saw her and Bishop kissing.”
“Oh, posh, that doesn’t mean they’re doing the nasty. I’ve kissed gentlemen aplenty and gone no further than that.”
“In their bedchamber?”
“Well, no. That is rather a different kettle of fish.” Aunt Charlotte studied her for a minute. “Why do I have the impression Mr. Parker is not the only one personally affected and saddened by the knowledge you uncovered?”
Her eyes stinging, she got up and went to stare atthe empty hearth because she didn’t want her aunt to see any tears she might be unable to hold back. “I wanted him to be better than that.”
“Blackwood, I suppose you mean.”
She nodded. “He’s such a different person when it’s only him and me. He acts interested, asks questions, and when he looks at me, I feel as though for him no one else in the entire world matters as much as I do.”
“That’s how scoundrels are, darling. They win us over with their charm, until we’re willing to give them everything they seek, until we convince ourselves that the heartache we know is waiting on the horizon will be well worth it.”
Daisy faced her aunt. “You speak from experience?”
“I do, yes. And because I do, I can assure you that the heartache is most definitelynotworth it.”
