Karen Harbaugh by A Special License Read Free Book Online

latest on-dit —if one’s eyes were sharp and on the lookout. The innkeeper might be close-mouthed, but his wife was not so reticent, and if information could not be had from her, why, the chambermaids were more forthcoming still, especially if there were a few shillings to be earned.
    A loud snort interrupted the snores emanating from the young gentleman who sat across from Sophia. His sleepy gaze wandered about the carriage until it lighted upon his sister’s fair visage. A discontented look settled upon his face. “Well, are we near London yet?” he asked abruptly.
    “Dear Richard, do you not remember?” Sophia said gently. “We are to stay at the Lion’s Stone Inn.”
    All sleepiness fled from the Honorable Richard Amberley. “No, I don’t remember! There is nothing to remember! We were to go directly to Aunt Agatha’s house from the last inn we were at.”
    “But dear brother, you know how I hate to be creased and travel-stained when I come into town.”
    Richard looked at her fresh complexion with disfavor. He fished for his fob and opened his watch. Disfavor turned to disgust. “It wouldn’t matter if you came to Aunt Agatha’s covered with mud. It wants but an hour and a half of travel to London and but an hour to darkness. You could put on a veil. No one would see you but myself and the servants.”
    Sophia pouted. “But I do not like veils. And everyone stays at the Lion’s Stone.”
    Her brother shut his watch with a snap. “What the devil does it matter if everyone—” He stopped, a look of dawning horror creeping across his face. “No! By God, Sophie, if you are up to your gossiping tricks again—”
    “Please, Richard! Sophia. Sophie sounds so much like some article of furniture....”
    Richard ignored her. “Look, my girl. You may wrap our parents around your little finger, but you can’t do that with me! If you think we are going to stay at some rubbishing inn just so you can pull me into some nasty little escapade with your damnable blackmailing ways, think again.”
    There was silence except for a few sniffs coming from his sister. “And don’t come maudlin over me, either,” said Richard, very certain her eyes were as clear of moisture as a summer’s day.
    Sophia opened her reticule. “You have always been so very cruel to me, Richard.”
    “Ha!” He leaned back onto the carriage seat again, ready to catch a few more winks of sleep.
    His sister pulled out a handkerchief, and a paper fell onto her lap. “Why, what is this?”
    Richard closed his eyes, determined at least to look as if he were asleep.
    “Oh, my, Richard, it looks like a tradesman’s bill! What a silly thing I am to have it in my purse. I must have picked it up when I was looking for my notepaper.”
    A tendril of uneasiness unfurled within Richard’s breast. He opened his eyes and a wary look crossed his face. “No doubt it is for one of your dresses again. I wish you would not bother me about such trifles.” He turned a shoulder.
    “But no, Richard, it is not one of mine! Why, I know I have never ordered a sapphire necklace and eardrops.” Sophia’s voice was the epitome of sweet concern.
    Richard’s uneasiness unfurled to open dread. “Perhaps it is one of Mama’s, then,” he said gamely. “If you will give it to me, then I will make sure to return it to her.”
    Sophia perused the bill further. “No... no, I fear you are mistaken, dear brother. It seems to be—why, it’s yours! Now I wonder why you would be billed for a sapphire necklace?”
    Her dear brother made a lunge for the paper and missed, but a second try caught her wrist. He tore the paper from her hand. “What the devil—it’s blank!”
    Sophia smiled kindly. “My little joke. It was such a large bill, you see, I did not want to carry it in such an unsafe place as my reticule. I put it away, oh, somewhere.” She waved her hand vaguely toward the top of the coach where their luggage was tied.
    “I don’t believe you have