Eliza Lloyd by One Last Night Read Free Book Online

she’d fainted? Had she misread the note?
    She had never understood how other woman had such liaisons
and thought nothing of the embarrassment, as if they were proud of their
notoriety. Yes, she would admit she had too much pride to endure public
vilification.
    Her thoughts churned.
    “Your Grace? Are you sure you are well? You have not said a
word for four hours and we are coming upon the first stop.”
    “A stop already?” She glanced through the window and saw the
familiar coaching inn. She hadn’t slept and felt the strong need to do so.
Another day and a half before she was on familiar territory once again—this
strange uncertainty would eat at her until she felt safe in her own home.
    The coach came to a stop, lurching with the suddenness. Lucy
grabbed the leather strap before she was toppled to the floor. Mr. Darrow
jumped from the carriage and reached a hand toward her.
    Fresh air and a quiet stroll would be most beneficial. The
commotion from the other carriages was a welcome distraction. Mr. Allen and
Vincent descended quickly from their perch and her son ran to her, everything
pertaining to cravat-wearing forgiven and forgotten.
    “I’ll arrange for food and the necessaries,” Mr. Darrow
said, bowing before he hurried through the crowds already milling at the inn.
    Lucy nodded and smiled down at her son as he proceeded to
describe every scene betwixt and between.
    “Walk with me, Vincent.” She took his hand, probably
clutching it a bit too tightly, but her anxious desperation needed an outlet
and her son was the closest thing to stability at the moment. “There is a small
stream this way,” she said.
    Once they arrived, Vincent ran toward the water’s edge and
for once, Lucy didn’t fuss about the dangers of falling in headfirst. How could
she when she was drowning herself?
    A rounded rock provided a stable resting spot and she leaned
against it as she finally released her grip on the crumpled paper. Counting to
ten, she calmed herself before unfolding and flattening the missive.
    Tess, I have thought of nothing but you. Yes, I know who
you are and have known you for many years. I have warred with my feelings for
you and whether I should reveal myself. It feels selfish even as I write it. I
would ask your forgiveness, except I have never known happier moments than when
I am with you.
    Would you meet with me if I promise no further intrusion
upon your life? John.
    Serenity wasn’t what she felt, but she folded the note and
tucked it away as if she hadn’t a care in the world. The threat of disclosure
had diminished to be replaced by a stranger one—the man she had bedded knew
her. She had given herself brazenly and completely to an acquaintance, a
friend, a peer? The vintner, the coachman, the—
    “Your Grace, Mr. Darrow sent me. All is ready and I thought
I would take Vincent in.”
    “Of course, Mr. Allen. As you wish.”
    “Will you be accompanying us?”
    “No. I’ll be along in a few minutes.”
    Vincent insisted on showing Mr. Allen a pool containing
several fish instead of returning to the inn. Lucy pushed to her feet and
walked away. Food had no appeal so she found the privy instead.
    She did not reread the note. It was a futile attempt to keep
her thoughts at bay but by slow degrees, she became numb to the idea of
discovery and embarrassment. She could not change what had happened. Now she
must find a way to rectify her mistake with as little theater as possible.
    Thus the arrival at Aversham Park was a relief. Within a
day, Lord and Lady Birmingham had arrived along with Lord Birmingham’s younger
brother. It seemed all of London had migrated to the country and the Duchess of
Wallingford was to greet them with open arms.
    Two days later, the remaining household staff from London
arrived with Mr. Rhodes.
    Fond memories and acute sexual desire did not change the
fact she felt exposed—and maybe even a little betrayed. Her days were filled
but she went through them knowing an axe