The Mysterious Governess (Daughters of Sin Book 3) (9 page)

Sir Aubrey had been foolish to have married a woman who had taken her own life. Furthermore, all this talk of his being part of a Spencean club sounded very havey-cavey, and Araminta didn’t quite understand it, but if the letter was something he did or didn’t want in the public domain, then it must be Araminta who did the clever work required to hand it back to him.

Fortunately, Jane, the lady’s maid Araminta shared with Hetty, had been very forthcoming as she’d brushed Araminta’s hair this morning. Especially after Araminta had told her that Hetty had confessed to Araminta all the details concerning the letter and had asked Araminta to see Jem on her account, as she was frightened.

So now, instead of Jane accompanying Hetty to an assignation with the lowly valet, Jem, to fetch the letter, Araminta had located that creature to whom she was related and resembled mildly: Miss Hazlett. For who else could she get to accompany her for the necessary chaperonage on such a forbidden mission?

Delicious tingles of excitement curled their way through Araminta as she thought of the happy conclusion to this adventure. Sir Aubrey was more than likely to ask Araminta to do him the honor of becoming his wife on the spot. He’d already made clear his interest during a tender encounter in the corridor of Lady Knox’s townhouse, after Araminta had been returning from the mending room during the ball.

Of course, Sir Aubrey was a mere baronet at the moment, but only a sickly cousin stood in the way of Sir Aubrey becoming a viscount, and there was even a doddering earl in the wings who’d neglected to secure the family line to whom he was related. Araminta was nothing if not a betting girl.

“No need to look so downcast, Miss Hazlett, no one will take the slightest bit of interest in you, the way you’re dressed,” Araminta reassured her as they waited in a dim booth in a tavern, a place no respectable lady would be seen. It was very exciting. Araminta had dressed herself for the part in a veiled bonnet. She’d chosen a flattering gown, for she wanted people to admire her without being able to recognize her. And she was not disappointed. Men of all stations positively leered at her.

Miss Hazlett, veiled too, did not seem to be reveling in the attention nearly as much but then, she was probably uncomfortable at being shown up by Araminta’s superior manner of dress and carriage.

When Araminta demanded that she tell her why she was looking like a frightened rabbit, the girl replied, “If I’m recognized I’ll lose my position, and then what will become of me?”

“Your father will take you in.” Araminta wasn’t in the mood to pander to such lily-livered whining. It rankled that her papa chose to spend so much time with his forbidden family. For now, she realized, that was why he was absent so often from home.

Miss Hazlett fiddled with the button at the wrist of her gloves. “He won’t support me forever. I’m expected to work for my living. It’s unlikely I’ll make a match that will secure me the clothes and comforts you take for granted.”

Before Araminta could respond, Jem, the lowly valet, slid into the booth, and my goodness he was handsome. Araminta didn’t think she’d ever seen such a handsome man. His hair was the color of corn and his eyes—a hazy, dangerous gray—sparked with a speculative glint when he ran them over Araminta.

The most extraordinary spasm in the region of her lower belly kicked her into an awareness both disconcerting and incredibly exciting.

Briefly, she raised her veil to smile at him, just so he could see how truly beautiful she was. But as no one must know she was here, she lowered it again and began proceedings in a formal and businesslike manner, which Jem didn’t seem to appreciate.

With a grunt, he thrust the letter in front of her and the contents could not have pleased her more.

In black and white, Sir Aubrey’s late wife branded Lord Debenham the villain, and her Sir Aubrey the falsely accused, unfairly maligned husband.

This document was exactly what was needed to prove Sir Aubrey’s innocence, and once Araminta could get it into Sir Aubrey’s hands, her future happiness with him was assured.

Unfortunately, the greedy Jem wanted more than the half a crown she had to offer him for it and didn’t seem to trust her when she said she’d send him the rest but that she needed to take the letter with her now.

Rudely, he rose before she did, indicating their discussion was at an end.

Araminta was for the first time in her life speechless. No gentleman had ever spoken so roughly to her on any occasion she could ever remember. Her thundering heart was also not something she was used to, but she ignored that. Her needs centered on the letter—and she’d get it, one way or another.

Glad of the protection of her veil so that Miss Hazlett couldn’t see how much Araminta was affected by this rude but handsome young man, Araminta said haughtily, “This is not our last meeting, Jem, I can assure you. I always get what I want.”

She thought she saw a flare of admiration in the other girl’s eyes as she rose, but now her anger was getting the better of her, and she didn’t care she was in a public place. She informed Jem over her shoulder that she reckoned a fine lady would be believed over a mere footman, and that he should consider himself lucky that he wasn’t going to swing over this, since she was now in possession of important evidence the government would wish to know.

There!
she thought with a mixture of anger and pride in her abilities to reduce him to a quivering jelly, for she was sure he was quaking while she was striding out into the street with all the power.

She was not prepared for the sudden assault as her wrist was gripped and she was whisked back into the inn and into a small antechamber, just before she reached the exit.

In the dim light, she found herself face to face with Jem, his angry eyes staring right into hers, only inches away. And she was consumed by a feeling of such fearful excitement she really could imagine she was about to swoon—properly—for the first time in her life.

“You want that letter real badly, miss, don’t you?” His eyes darted over her and his breathing was shallow and rapid. “Now you know what’s in it, how do I know you ain’t going to blab to the world that it’s me what has it? Me neck’s at risk here.”

The power she felt to see that he was frightened of what she could do was like an aphrodisiac, and the most enormous thrill of superiority, coupled with something deep, dark and wicked rose up from the depths of her being.

Before she even knew what she was doing, she’d closed the distance between them and cupped his face, murmuring against his suddenly trembling lips, “Here is my reassurance.”

She’d never kissed a man of such low birth before, but nor had she kissed one who was as extraordinarily handsome and whose proximity unleashed such madness in her. The brief kernel of rational thought that floated within her consciousness for a second was extinguished by the mad desire to show Jem who was master. The sudden raging desires of her body made her head swim when his arms went round her and he roughly kissed her back.

The scrape of his stubbled cheek upon her tender skin, coupled with his strong male smell of sweat, dirt and horses aroused even fiercer passions within her, and even though a faint caution sounded in the recesses of her brain, she was buoyed by the knowledge that the justification for her actions was pure.

“No one’s neck—or anything else—is in danger,” she whispered, “as long as I get that letter.” It was so good to feel in control and to know he was her slave.

Soon her tongue was tangling with his, her own breathing was deafening her, and the sensations he was evoking with his wandering hands were for some reason making her want to feel the heat of his naked flesh against her own.

She could barely get the words out. “You’d better give me what I want, Jem.”

He chuckled. “Indeed, I will, miss.”

It was he who finally broke them apart. His mouth curved into a sly smile and Araminta frowned as she smoothed her hair and clothing, for it was too self-satisfied for her liking. She’d like to...well, kiss that smile right off his face. Her heart was still racing and that strange, unfulfilled feeling in her lower belly was making her want to do all kinds of unheard-of and unladylike things.

Muffled shouts of laughter and the serving of drinks could be heard nearby, and when a shrill cry from a drunk patron made Araminta startle, the mood was broken. She knew it was time to leave before Larissa conducted a thorough search for her.

After a regal exit, having laid out the terms of their “arrangement”, which would have him meeting her shortly with the letter, Araminta went in search of her next quarry: Lord Debenham.

***

W
here on earth had Araminta gone?

In a panic after she was unable to locate her in or around the tavern’s environs, Lissa finally went to Lord Partington’s London townhouse. Though she was in danger of losing her place if her truancy was discovered, she loitered under the plane tree across the road until, finally, she caught the attention of the younger girl, Hetty, who had her nose pressed to the window.

Succumbing, obviously, to curiosity, Hetty came into the garden and for the first time Lissa properly made the acquaintance of her other half-sister. Immediately, she liked her. Hetty was sweet and unassuming, where Araminta was venal and calculating. It was hard to imagine they could even be related, so different were they.

Lissa was indignant on Hetty’s behalf when she learned the full story of Araminta’s deviousness in going behind Hetty’s back to get Jem to hand over the letter. She was glad to tell Hetty that Araminta hadn’t had the money on hand to secure it.

The girl’s smile at this piece of information had transformed her into a beauty. “So Jem still has the letter? Why, all is not lost then!”

But all seemed lost for Lissa, and any possibility of a future with Ralph Tunley, she reflected dolefully after she’d traipsed home.

Mrs. Lamont was shouting for her and the nursery maid, whom she had begged to cover for her, was in tears.

“Oh miss, where have you bin? I’ve told ever so many lies about you being took sick of a sudden and going to visit your aunt for some remedy.” Clara had the youngest child on her lap while the elder was demanding that her governess do drawing with her. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lamont’s heavy footsteps were pounding up the stairs, and soon both she and Master Cosmo were in the room, their fearsome expressions suggesting what it must feel like to be confronted by an enemy battalion.

Oh, but she hated life here.

An image of domestic felicity with Ralph floated up before her but was dissolved by Mrs. Lamont’s fierce, “Perhaps I shall dismiss you on the spot, Miss Hazlett.” Her multiple chins wobbled and her ringlets bobbed as her son glared malevolently at Lissa from behind his mother’s shoulder. “Leaving the house with not a word! Why, Nellie was beside herself when you were not there for her usual drawing lesson. What possessed you to show such blatant disregard for the kindness this family has shown you?”

The knowledge that for the past six months very little regard had been shown to her by this family welled up in Lissa’s breast, and for once banished all common sense.

“Very well, I shall go then!” she declared angrily, brushing past the gathered group and intending to go to her tiny attic bedchamber. At least her mother could use her help during her advantaged stages of pregnancy. She’d not cost much to keep.

“Pray, have a thought for the girls who need you.” Cosmo’s fingers were digging into Lissa’s shoulder, and when he turned her to face him, his expression was both angry and frightened. Mama...”

He turned to his mother, who was trembling with an excess of emotion and who seemed unable to articulate the tumultuous state of her thoughts.

“Miss Hazlett has taken grave advantage, it is true. However, her imminent departure will cause far more disruption than is warranted, and although she is an ungrateful creature, she should be offered one final chance.” He lowered his voice and there was a clear subtext in his expression as he added, “So that she might see there are...
benefits
to realizing the error of her ways.” He put his lips close to Lissa’s ear. “We will discuss this further when we are alone.”

The idea of being alone with Cosmo was repugnant so Lissa ensured she was with Nellie and Harriet for the rest of the day.

Inevitably, though, he came, indicating for her to leave the girls to their drawing so he could speak to her in private as he led her to the window alcove.

“I have spoken to Mama, and you don’t have to go, Miss Hazlett. I have two commissions and you’re to have them all completed by Friday,” he said without preamble.

Lissa waited for some kind of conciliatory addendum, or at least an indication that he was grateful and recognized his rising reputation was purely due to her.

Finally, she asked boldly, “How much will that earn me?”

Fury clouded his brow. “I ensured you kept your job. How dare you ask me now for money? If you wish to remain under this roof and enjoy my family’s hospitality, you will need to show a little respect.”

His cold, angry eyes were suddenly right in front of her nose. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, Miss Hazlett. You have a young man, don’t you? Well...” He looked gloating. “I have a good deal more influence than the specimen you clearly favor, so if you want him to continue to enjoy his fruitful employment, I suggest there be no more talk of something so unsavory as payment for doing only what you owe this family.”

Lissa raised her chin with a fury to match his and was about to hiss a suitable response when suddenly she turned, nursing her right hand as if it gave her great pain.

“Ah, but I knew it would come to this, Master Cosmo,” she whimpered, massaging the limb and pretending great sorrow. “As an honest and virtuous servant of this household, I feel I must go and confess all to your mother. I have deceived her, and both my conscience and the hand I use for sketching, are smiting me.”

He looked confused. “Miss Hazlett, really, I don’t think...”

“No, you really
don’t
think, Master Cosmo, do you? Otherwise you’d not bite the hand that feeds you,” Lissa flung back at him. “Are you so pudding-headed that you can’t imagine I would happily tell the world of our little arrangement before going elsewhere? You think the lack of a good character from your mama might hamper my employment chances? I’m confident I have the proof to back up my testimony that I am the artist, not you. The only reason I remain is because I need you to secure the commissions. So why not reconsider the merits of honoring your pledge to pay me as agreed? Then we can put this unfortunate episode behind us.”