9781618858467ASinfulEducationPimentel by Layna Pimentel Read Free Book Online Page B

kind he was, nor how warm he felt when he shielded her from the duke.
“Thank you, sir.”
    About
to turn down the next hall, Emily found her mother.
    “There
you are, my dear. Where are you going?”
    “Home.
I am unwell and very tired. I am sure all I need is some rest.”
    “Why,
of course, dear, let me get my things, and I will go with you.”
    “Oh,
Mama, stay and enjoy the gathering. T’would be a
perfect opportunity to mingle with some of the men in the duke’s circles.
Perhaps you will find yourself a randy and wealthy gentleman to take care of
you as well.” And keep you from meddling
in my life.
    “That
sounds like a lovely idea, dear. Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
    “Yes,
Mama. Go.”
    Giving
her a wary glance, her mother turned and left her alone. Perfect. Now
she could stop at home and pick up a few things on the way to Nathaniel’s. This
time, I will have to find a way to stay even longer.
     
    * * * *
     
    “You
know…right when I think I finally have peace in my house, you show up at my
door and drag me to Wycliffe’s. What in bloody hell is keeping Wycliffe,
Avonlea?” Nathaniel asked, drumming his fingers on the wooden arm of the chair.
    The earl
continued to pace by the fireplace when the bloke decided to make an appearance,
completely disheveled and clothed only in his breeches.
    “What
on earth are the both of you doing here? It is after midnight.”
    “I
am not quite sure either, Wycliffe, but he will explain.” Nathanial scoffed,
pointing at Charles.
    Why do these two always make me out to be the villain? “Wycliffe,
once you tell us the information we seek, we will be out of your sight. I want
you tell us what you know of what transpired before the duchess’s exile into
the country, and any other useful information you may have.”
    The
drunkard stumbled into the seat behind his desk and propped his feet up. His
long, dark hair covered the dark circles around his eyes and hid the fact that he
had not shaved in days. “If you gents neglected to notice, I drink to forget
about her . The last thing I want to do is remember how vile and
despicable the duke is, let alone think of the duchess’s time spent with that
clod.”
    “Why
do you say he’s vile?” Avonlea asked.
    “Go
on,” Nathaniel added.
    “He’s
a dirty bastard, you know. He knew all those things about Brimley were wrong,
but he led the haute ton to believe Brimley was fucking her. Then, there was
the fact he threatened to ship her to the continent and leave her in some institution.
Though, I have my doubts about where he was planning on sending her. Bah!”
Wycliffe slammed his fist down. “Enough of this interrogation. Get out of my
house now. Both of you. I want m’sleep ,” the Earl
slurred as he rose.
    “Fine,
we will leave, but I will be back in a few days to check on you. Wycliffe, this
isn’t right. You need help. I can take you into the country for a few days for
some hunting, if you wish.”
    Once
upon a time, the earl would not have considered offering such assistance. Yet,
considering the man still grieved for a woman he held dear, t’was a position Charles
knew well. Wycliffe required time to heal, but he still needed to move forward,
and mayhap a hunting trip might bring the man to his senses.
    “The
answer is no. Now, leave me be. I trust you’ll find your way out.”
    Wycliffe
left him and Nathaniel staring at each other. “Well, you heard the man. Off we
go.”
    They
had not made any progress in obtaining the information Avonlea had hoped for,
but Wycliffe’s feelings and character assessment assured him that they were
correct in their suspicions. Downsbury was the last man on God’s earth who could
be trusted.
    Climbing
onto their horses, he grunted and muttered an oath. “Nathaniel, your sister is
not safe with him. I can feel it in my blood.”
    “Avonlea,
I simply cannot stop anyone based on a hunch. I need proof. If Emily is in any danger,
I need something solid and