Secrets of an Accidental Duchess by Jennifer Haymore Read Free Book Online

Stratford’s, it was in perfect repair, with freshly painted gables and fronted by a perfectly manicured sweeping lawn.
    As they approached, a heavy feeling settled through Max, and he looked at Olivia. She’d gone even paler than usual, and her plump lips had pressed into a thin, straight line. He wanted to reassure her, to tell her that Fenwicke’s wife was a very different person from the man himself. That she could befriend her neighbor without worrying about what Fenwicke had tried with her, becauseFenwicke was very rarely in Sussex, and when he was, it was usually for short periods of time—certainly not enough time to mingle with the neighbors.
    Watching her from the corner of his eye, Max wondered exactly what had passed between Olivia and Fenwicke. The two were like oil and water. It seemed obvious that Fenwicke’s greasy charm wouldn’t have worked on her.
    Ahead, Jessica and the countess had slowed to allow Olivia and Max to catch up. When they did, Jessica gestured at the house. “Quiet, isn’t it?”
    “I wonder if she’s home,” Olivia murmured.
    “I’m sure she is,” Lady Stratford said. “I’ve heard she rarely goes out.”
    They approached Brockton Hall, the sisters clustering closer together and casting wary glances toward the house. They reached the graveled drive and stepped up into the entryway. Lady Stratford lifted the immense bronze door knocker, and the four of them listened as the sound resonated within the house.
    For a moment, Max thought that no one would come to the door, but then an aged servant answered it. When Lady Stratford explained to the frowning man who they were and the reason for their visit, all he said was “Just a minute, if you please,” before shutting the massive door in their faces.
    The sisters looked at one another and then at Max, who shrugged. “Let’s wait and see what happens.”
    They waited several minutes. Max was losing patience, and Jessica was pacing back and forth across the front landing when the door opened again.
    The old man didn’t meet any of their eyes. “LadyFenwicke will see you now.” Turning, he made room for them to enter. They walked into a spacious entry hall, and the man closed the door behind them, then shuffled into a dimly lit corridor. “This way, please.”
    He led them in to an elegantly decorated drawing room with elaborate, expensive Oriental furnishings and heavy, dark-colored velvet draperies. A young woman stood beside the richly carved and spotless white marble fireplace.
    If he hadn’t known this was Lady Fenwicke, Max wouldn’t have recognized her. She’d gained a good two stone, her vivacious dark eyes had gone flat along with her complexion, and even her dark hair seemed to have lost all the richness it had held just two years ago.
    She smiled at them, but the smile didn’t bring any light to her eyes.
    A heaviness settled over Max. He knew that some would say that this was the result of any marriage, but one only had to look at the Countess of Stratford’s glow to disprove that. No, this was the result of being married to one Leonard Reece, the Marquis of Fenwicke.
    Lady Stratford seemed to have taken on the role of their speaker, but Max didn’t mind. He was content to stand behind the ladies and allow them to do the talking.
    “Good afternoon, my lady. I’m your neighbor, Lady Stratford. These are my sisters, Miss Olivia Donovan and Miss Jessica Donovan. And this is our guest, Lord Hasley.”
    She didn’t seem to remember him. No recognition flickered in her eyes as her gaze passed over him. He’d only met her a few times before, but people usually did remember him, due to his position in society if nothing else.
    “Welcome,” she said. “I’m so glad you came. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I am Beatrice Reece.”
    She invited them to sit and called for tea. Lady Stratford gave her the lemon tarts, which she appropriately gushed over. Everything was all politeness and propriety, but