Frovtunes’ Kiss by Lisa Manuel Read Free Book Online Page A

tries her best—”
    Letty squeaked. Graham issued a warning glare and gestured for the housekeeper to continue.
    â€œAnd I think in time she’ll do quite nicely, my lord.”
    Graham nodded. “Good. Perhaps you might curtail her duties a bit, set her to some simpler tasks for the time being.”
    â€œYes, sir. She could fluff pillows, dust—though not the fine porcelain—and I could send her to market each day.”
    â€œAnd trust her with
money
?” Letty gave a snort.
    â€œWe purchase on credit and pay the accounts monthly, miss,” the housekeeper calmly pointed out.
    â€œThere, then, it’s settled.” And none too soon, as far as he was concerned. Just prior to this interruption, Shaun had been about to confide some newly discovered detail about the mysterious Moira Hughes.
    â€œMonteith, had you no servants at all in Egypt? Do you
not
know they’re supposed to
earn
their keep?”
    â€œMrs. Higgensworth,” he said quietly, “would you leave us, please?”
    The woman curtsied and closed the door behind her. Graham allowed his gaze to bore into his sister until the self-righteous spark faded from her eyes and a mottled blush crept into her cheeks. Then he said evenly, “Tell me, what of family members who insinuate themselves upon one’s generosity? Should they also be made to earn their keep?”
    Her brow puckered, and her bottom lip slipped uncertainly between her teeth. She might have been nine again and caught stealing sweets from the kitchen. His question clearly perplexed her, so much so a watery sheen obscured her blue eyes just before she blinked and looked away.
    â€œIt was a rhetorical question, Letty, one you might wish to ponder. That will be all.”
    With something between a grimace and a nod, she swept to the door and was quickly gone. That door had no sooner closed behind her, when the one to the library opened. Shaun sauntered in, his features pinched with concern.
    â€œI suppose you heard most of that,” Graham said.
    â€œHad my ear pressed to the door.” Shaun settled into a wing chair. “Don’t you think you were a bit hard on the girl?”
    â€œAfter that sort of impudence?”
    Shaun waved away the notion as he would a fly. “She’s growing up, becoming a young lady, and experimenting with new ideas.” He leaned forward, looking a good deal too animated for Graham’s liking. “She needs some free rein, room to explore.”
    â€œAnd what would you know of my sister, Shaun?”
    â€œNothing.” He sniffed, affecting a disinterested air.
    â€œThen why don’t you talk about Miss Hughes and leave Letty to me.”
    Shaun’s mouth curved to a sly grin. “Did some snooping around that boardinghouse of hers. Miss Hughes hasn’t been back to her rooms for the past couple of days at least.”
    â€œYou don’t say.” Graham walked to the window. Above slate rooftops, London’s constant haze presented a sickly contrast to the startling azure skies of Egypt. He stared past his own faint reflection to the carefully swept street below, again so unlike his adopted nation’s sandy, ever-changing thoroughfares. A coach and four ambled by, rumbling along the cobbles. The gilt crest on its door caught the weak sun and tossed a glint in his eye. “Moira Hughes came to London for a reason, Shaun. An important one. I’m sure of it.”
    â€œYes, but what? And why would Smythe lie about not knowing where she was staying?”
    â€œGood questions, both.”
    Down below, a woman walked past the house, her steps raising a crisp echo along the foot pavement. Graham watched her until she disappeared around the corner. Something about her graceful posture and imperious stride seemed familiar, and utterly contrary to the white linen cap, dark blue frock, and low-heeled boots that declared her a maid. With a shake of his head, he turned