Summerset Abbey by T. J. Brown Read Free Book Online

and Lady Summerset’s shoulders twitched with displeasure. Really, Hortense ought to be more grateful .
    “I will make sure your nieces’ maid has the right qualifications, do not worry,” Hortense put in quickly as if sensing her lady’s displeasure.
    Lady Summerset’s good humor was restored. “What a dear you are. Thank you, Hortense. I wouldn’t want the poor girl to think she wasn’t welcome here, but a new addition to staff always stirs up such trouble and she is rather unique.”
    Hortense caught her eye in the mirror. “How do you mean, my lady?”
    “She wasn’t brought up in service. I’m sure the poor girl would find some other kind of work outside Summerset more fulfilling. Perhaps you could get the others to watch her, too?”
    “Of course, my lady.”
    She watched as her maid expertly buttoned up the side of her underskirt, and sat back down to watch Hortense’s nimble fingers work their French magic with her hair. From the knowing look in Hortense’s eyes, Lady Summerset knew she had made herself quite clear without having to spell it out—make trouble for the newcomer.
    What she didn’t tell Hortense was that the future of their entire family rested on getting rid of this girl, posthaste. And if her husband couldn’t do it, then she would have to.
    *   *   *
    As Victoria ingested the medicine that would help her breathe again, she couldn’t help but think about how much she hated, no, detested the sickness that rendered her helpless when she most needed to act. When she had tried to defend Prudence in her moment of need, a fit had overtaken her, leaving her as helpless as a child. How could she ever hope to be an adult when she couldn’t right a simple wrong?
    When at last she could breathe again, she handed the nebulizer to Rowena.
    “Very well played, girls.”
    Victoria’s head jerked up at her uncle’s caustic tone.
    “But I’ve already been manipulated into bringing the girl here,” he continued. “Don’t be fooled into thinking I can always be so easily swayed. Victoria, you should go to your room and rest before dinner. Rowena, please make sure the trunks are sent to the proper rooms.”
    With his jaw tight, he turned on his heel and strode away without affording them another glance.
    “Why didn’t you stop him?” Victoria asked, once she could speak.
    Rowena stood and straightened the skirt of her black traveling suit. “You don’t understand. He has complete control of our estate until I am twenty-five.”
    “You mean we have no money until then?” She frowned.
    “Oh, we have plenty of money.” Rowena gave her a grim smile. “We just have no control over it, and we’re in his home. Do you really want to defy him in his own home?”
    “If Prudence can’t stay with me, I would rather just go home,” she grumbled, taking Rowena’s proffered hand. She struggled upright, her muscles stiff from riding in the coach and her legs still trembling from the medicine.
    Rowena sighed. “Oh, Vic. I think this might be the best place for us right now,” she said softly.
    The girls stood hand in hand, staring up at the imposing front facade of the manor their father—and generations of Buxtons before him—had been raised in. The Bath stone facing had been weathered to a soft, warm honey color, which lent it the look of an Italian villa rather than an English manor. Gargoyles perched high above the front doors, guarding the entrance from interlopers. When the girls were small, their father had told them the gargoyles’ names were Gog and Magog, and made up stories of their adventures when the sun set and they were released from their guard duties.
    As she had told Prudence, most people found the home imposing, but Victoria had always loved every inch of it. “Maybe . . . but what about Prudence?”
    Before Rowena could reply, the front door opened and a modish young woman with golden brown hair appeared. She ran lightly across the gravel and gathered Victoria in