Languish by Alyxandra Harvey Read Free Book Online Page A

surprising us both. “I am happy to know that Lord Jasper is not alone in this world. That he has those who care enough for him to ask the difficult questions.”
    I drank another cup of tea to stop myself from fidgeting. I barely tasted it. Tabitha softened, just a little. “We only wanted to be sure,” she said.
    â€œI understand,” Lady Ashburnham replied. Her eyes twinkled. “Anyway, the truly delicious scandals never make the magazines.”
    Tabitha smiled, suddenly all lace flounces and girlish excitement. Lady Ashburnham looked at me. “If that’s all settled,” she said gently, “I should like my coin back.”
    I spilled the last of my tea in my haste to put the cup down. I pulled the parchment bundle out of my pocket and gave it to her, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
    â€œHow did you know it was she?” Tabitha tilted her head. “I thought you were good at this sort of thing,” she said to me.
    â€œI would never have known it was she if I didn’t alreadyknow one of Lord Jasper’s wards had unique violet eyes,” Lady Ashburnham assured us.
    Blast. There was enough coal fog in London that at a brief glance my eyes looked an unmemorable blue. I’d have to remember that.
    She unwrapped the coin reverently. Her wrinkled fingers brushed the silver tenderly, the light catching the relief of the horse. “Robbie, my boy,” she said, her voice trembling. I shifted awkwardly. Tabitha looked away. That kind of sorrow was personal, private. It wasn’t meant to be witnessed.
    â€œLord Jasper assured me you would have kept it,” she added, looking at me piercingly. “I was worried you’d have sold it.” I shook my head mutely. “It was my son’s, you see. He carried it with him always, before he died.” She curled her palm around the coin.
    Lady Jasper floated into view, right behind Lady Ashburnham. She dripped tendrils of cold air. I could see the wainscoting through her dress.
    I blinked, trying not to react.
    â€œHis father gave it to him when it became clear that Rob was mad about horses. He rode too fast, gambled on the races he hadn’t instigated himself. Everything came easily to him.” She smiled slightly, lost in her own memories.
    Lady Jasper trailed a glowing, phosphorescent hand over Lady Ashburnham’s head. The old woman shivered but kept talking. She didn’t look frightened or as if she was in any pain. Her eyes were faintly glazed, but that was all. Lady Jasper looked satisfied.
    â€œHe was the eldest, the next earl. I suppose we spoiled him too much, but he was no wilder than any other boys of the gentry. At least at first.”
    For some reason, Lady Jasper wanted me to hear this story. Was this what she had wanted all along? She didn’t look angry or vengeful, just intense, as if she could will me to understand what was happening.
    â€œAnd then he fell in love with a girl, as boys do. She was a diamond of the first water, with twelve marriage proposals in her first Season. But she loved my Rob. He wanted to marry her, straightaway. When we suggested they wait a little while, to get to know each other better, he flew into the boughs. I’ve never seen such a black mood as that. He always did have a temper.”
    Lady Jasper flared, glowing so brightly my eyes watered. I took it that she was agreeing with Lady Ashburnham. Had she met Rob when he was a boy?
    â€œThey resolved to elope. The night they were to meet, Rob got drunk and fell asleep in a pub. By the time he got to their appointed meeting spot, he was too late. Marie had disappeared. No one knew where she’d gone or what had happened to her. We still don’t know. We assume she died.” She shook her head. “Rob was never the same after that. He rode all day and all night, spending all of his time drinking or tearing across the fields on unbroken, vicious horses. Finally, one night, he was