My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

husband, then does not leave the cab and instead drives off?”
    “Not at all.” Celeste paused. “Perhaps a little.” She studied the other woman. “Do you think Lord W might have been following you?”
    “Adrian?” She scoffed. “Never. To what end? Certainly, I didn’t mention going to the museum, but that could well have been entirely innocent on my part. I’ve never given him any reason to distrust me.” Although he had thought something was wrong last night. Regardless, she’d never known him to let his imagination get the best of him. “Besides, he’s not the sort of man who would follow anyone, let alone his wife.” She thought for a moment. “He would consider that sort of thing distasteful, even dishonorable.”
    “My thoughts exactly.” A firm note sounded in Celeste’s voice.
    “Why, the very idea is ridiculous,” Evelyn said under her breath and hoped she was right. “This whole situation is absurd. I am the Countess of Waterston with a very nice, proper sort of husband and a very nice, proper sort of life. I shouldn’t be involved in this kind of escapade. It’s mad, that’s what it is.”
    “It seems to me we have done things far more insane than this,” Celeste said in a mild tone.
    “Not recently.”
    “More’s the pity,” Celeste said under her breath.
    Evelyn ignored her. “I have a great deal to lose in all this.”
    “But much to gain.”
    “Yes, I suppose.” Evelyn shrugged.
    “You’ll be saving Sir from public exposure and possibly worse,” Celeste said pointedly.
    “And that is the repayment of a debt that is overdue.” Odd, she hadn’t thought of Sir at all since yesterday. But he was indeed why she was doing this. She owed him her help. Evelyn blew a resigned sigh. “You do realize there is one more problem.”
    “Just one?”
    Evelyn sighed. “I have absolutely nothing to wear.”

Chapter 5
    “T he Earl and Countess of Waterston,” the major-domo chimed at the top of the entry stairs to Lord Dunwell’s ballroom.
    “Tell me again why we are here,” Adrian said out of the corner of his mouth, a smile plastered firmly on his face.
    Evelyn resisted the urge to nudge him with her elbow. “Because it’s good for you politically to be seen here.” They started down the stairs. “Besides, I couldn’t think of a plausible excuse. And a shabby excuse would only have provided fodder for Lady Dunwell. You know she has the ear of everyone of importance and can be a dreadful gossip when it suits her purposes.”
    “I thought that was among the reasons we weren’t going to come.”
    “It was.” She squeezed his arm. “Courage, my love. We shall no doubt have a delightful time, and regardless, the evening will be at an end before you know it.”
    “Hmph.” Adrian scoffed but no one would have known his thoughts from the expression on his face. He was very good at this sort of thing. He greeted their hosts with a pleasant—and apparently genuine—smile. “Lady Dunwell, you look lovely this evening but then you always do.”
    Lady Dunwell smiled into Adrian’s eyes. Evelyn tried not to clench her teeth. Beryl Dunwell was the epitome of blond, English beauty. And with his dark hair and dark blue eyes, her husband was a very handsome man. No doubt, they would have made a stunning couple.
    “And you are as charming as ever, my lord.” Lady Dunwell practically cooed the words. “I do hope we will have a dance together later.”
    “It would be my pleasure,” Adrian said.
    Lady Dunwell turned her gaze from Adrian, reluctantly, Evelyn thought, to his wife. “And my dear Lady Waterston.” As always, her tone carried a slightly superior edge, as if Evelyn were some sort of upstart, here under false pretenses. Her gaze flicked over Evelyn’s gown. “Enchanting. French?”
    “Of course,” Evelyn said smoothly. It was indeed French although it was not new. Damn it all. If she had originally planned to come here tonight, she would have had something new