Notorious Deception by Adrienne Basso Read Free Book Online

mine.”
    With that said, Caroline took another tentative step into the room and, without warning, collapsed into a heap on the rug.

Chapter Four
    Diana jumped up from her chair and raced across the room.
    â€œCaroline!” she exclaimed breathlessly, kneeling down next to the fallen woman. Gently Diana turned her onto her back, trying to determine if she had been injured by her fall. “Caroline, can you hear me?”
    When she received no response, Diana rose quickly and ran into the hall, calling for help. Immediately a footman appeared, followed by a maid.
    â€œSummon Mrs. Roget at once,” Diana instructed the footman. “And bring me some fresh, cold water,” she said to the maid. The servants quickly scurried off to do her bidding.
    After what seemed like an eternity, Mrs. Roget arrived, followed by the butler, Sutton.
    â€œI am not quite sure what happened,” Diana said to the worried servants. “One moment she was speaking to me and the next she fell to the floor.”
    â€œShall I have Lord Tristan summoned?” Sutton asked.
    Mrs. Roget leaned closely over Caroline’s prostrate form, examining her mistress. “I don’t believe that will be necessary, Mr. Sutton,” the housekeeper concluded. She looked over at the young footman speculatively.
    â€œDo you think you can carry madam up to her bedchamber?” Mrs. Roget asked the footman, who nodded.
    Following the housekeeper’s instructions, the footman carefully lifted Caroline into his arms and carried her up the long, winding staircase. Diana automatically fell in step with Mrs. Roget and they kept pace directly behind the servant. In the entrance foyer, they met the maid, who was coming from the back of house, lugging a pitcher of water. Mrs. Roget instructed the maid to take the water upstairs.
    After Caroline had been placed on her bed, the housekeeper dismissed the footman and maid and poured out a fresh glass of water.
    â€œIs she all right?” Diana asked, her eyes never leaving Caroline’s pale features.
    â€œShe will be fine,” Mrs. Roget insisted.
    The housekeeper propped Caroline up in a reclining position and brought the glass of water to her lips, but was unable to get her to drink. Mrs. Roget put the glass down and walked over to Caroline’s dressing table, searching among the bottles of makeup and scent.
    â€œHere it is,” the housekeeper declared in relief, holding up a small, half-empty brown bottle. “I know that when the mistress is very uncomfortable, she occasionally needs to take this medicine. She must have taken a bit too much today.”
    When she is uncomfortable? Diana thought with distress. “Do you think I might be the cause of this discomfort, Mrs. Roget?” Diana asked candidly.
    â€œGood heavens, no,” Mrs. Roget replied with astonishment. “The medicine is for the cramps she gets with her monthly courses.”
    â€œOh,” Diana said, flushing at discussing such an intimate matter, even with another woman. “Are you sure she will be all right? She is very pale.”
    Diana and the housekeeper turned to stare at Caroline, and the housekeeper said, “Well, perhaps it would be best if someone stays with her. I’d summon her maid, but today is Lucy’s afternoon off and she has gone walking in the park with her young man. Would you mind sitting with her?”
    â€œOf course not,” Diana answered, hoping Caroline would not awaken and be too distraught at seeing Diana in her bedchamber. Diana doubted that Caroline, drugged or not, would want to be reminded of Diana’s presence in the house.
    â€œVery good,” the housekeeper replied, obviously relieved. “I’ll make sure his lordship is informed of madam’s condition the moment he arrives home.”
    After the housekeeper left, Diana took up a position in the far corner of the bedchamber. It afforded her an unobstructed view of