A Most Novel Revenge by Ashley Weaver Read Free Book Online Page A

enthusiasm. “Is it true? Was there really a lot of shouting and threatening at dinner?”
    I never ceased to be amazed at the rate at which news traveled through the domestic staff. Winnelda, in particular, seemed to be an absolute magnet for gossip. She must have made fast friends with some of the maids.
    â€œThere was a bit of unpleasantness,” I admitted. “I’m afraid the people here are not the greatest of friends.”
    â€œI do hope you’ll tell me all about it,” she said, as she moved to unfasten my dress.
    â€œIt’s rather a long story.”
    â€œI don’t mind, madam.” Winnelda never minded long stories. She was drawn to scandal like a bee to honey.
    I stepped out of my gown and pulled on a nightdress as Winnelda moved to hang the dress in the wardrobe. I didn’t particularly want to go over it all again, but I knew that she would never rest easy until I had given her the details.
    â€œIt all goes back to something that happened here several years ago. There was a death, and Miss Van Allen wrote a book about it.”
    â€œYes, The Dead of Winter .” Winnelda said over her shoulder.
    I turned to her, surprised. “You know it?”
    â€œOh, yes, madam. It’s one of my favorites. I was quite young when it was published, and I remember all the sensation it caused. My mother told me I shouldn’t read such things, and so naturally I was all the more eager to read it. My friends and I all bought copies. Let me tell you, it set me to blushing more than once.”
    â€œIf only I had thought to find a copy of it,” I mused. “It might have proven very useful.”
    â€œOh, you can read mine, madam,” Winnelda said.
    I looked up. “You have a copy with you?”
    â€œYes. Right here.” She went to where she had been sitting and picked up the book I had seen her reading when I came in.
    â€œYour resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me, Winnelda.”
    â€œWell, when I found out we were coming here to Lyonsgate, I made sure to bring it along. I thought perhaps I could recognize some of the settings. I think, though I’m not entirely sure, that this very bedroom was the inspiration for the scene where…”
    â€œYes, thank you, Winnelda,” I said.
    She dropped a curtsey. “I’m ever so glad to be of help to you, and I do think that you’ll enjoy it. There is a scandalous scene where…”
    I was spared the details as Milo came into my room from the hall.
    â€œWill you be needing anything else tonight, madam?” Winnelda asked, setting the book on the table.
    â€œNo. Thank you, Winnelda. And thank you for the book.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. Goodnight, madam. Mr. Ames.”
    She left and closed the door behind her, and I turned to my husband. “I’ve been waiting to be alone with you all evening,” I said.
    â€œWords I live for, my love,” he said, pulling me to him.
    â€œThat’s not what I meant.”
    â€œIn any event, I’ve already told Parks I won’t be needing him tonight, and now that you’ve rid yourself of Winnelda…”
    â€œWhat did you make of what happened at dinner?”
    â€œYour skin is like ice, darling,” he said, his warm hands moving up and down my arms.
    â€œYes, it’s very cold in this house,” I said absently. “What do you suppose Miss Van Allen means to write about?”
    Milo sighed, releasing me. “I haven’t the faintest idea. Nor do I care.”
    â€œThere must be something Reggie doesn’t want people to know. I thought for a moment things might come to blows.”
    â€œAnd you enjoyed it immensely,” he said, removing his necktie and cuff links. “I could practically feel the glee coming off of you from the other side of the room.”
    â€œWhat a vulgar thing to say. I was terribly uncomfortable.”
    He smiled. “But you found it