The Duke's Dark Secret (Historical Victorian Romance) by Emily Brant Read Free Book Online Page A

house.”
                  He nodded. “Happy to pay my way, Gertie. And I don’t mind the company.”
                  Louisa stood up. She thought the man brave, but was still stinging a touch from the wrong her family had done to her. “I appreciate the sentiment and your earlier gallantry, Mr. Bradford. I’ll be heading back to my rooms. Then I need to sincerely get about looking for work.”
                  Gertie set the rifle on the counter and raised a finger to her lips. “Things are pretty slow here, and I can only pay you a little bit every week until things pick up, but, I could use a serving girl. Could have you start as soon as tomorrow morning, if you like. You think you’d be up to waiting tables, Miss…”
                  “Louisa Forest.” She strolled over to the proprietress and held out her hand. “It would be my pleasure.”
    *****
                  Ann Bradford stepped out onto the back porch of the Bradford home and rang the triangle. She hoped her brother wasn’t too far out to hear; it was impossible to say. They had a fairly large ranch, with plenty or property to keep an eye out on.
     
                  As it happened, Jeb was nearby and practically ran up to the house. Ann smiled as she saw him. “Nellie finally calve?”
     
                  “Yeah, that old girl had her calf this morning. It’s a heifer, thank God.”
     
                  “That is good news!” She affirmed as the man kicked his boots clean by the steps. There was a small tub of water she had filled earlier, and he took the opportunity to wash his hands, neck, and face.
     
                  “You go into town like you said you would?”
     
                  “Sure did.” He quickly gave his sister the highlights of the confrontation with Frank Durant and his goons. She blanched at the mention of the name.
     
                  “I wish you had shot him dead, Jeb. It pains me that man is still walking around after what he did to Thomas.”
     
                  “Can’t prove it, and I’d be just as dead. Sheriff would see to that, like Frank said. I guess some little good came of it,” he added, noting that Louisa had found work. As he finished his discourse, the siblings went back into the house where lunch was waiting.
     
                  They sat at the table, where Ann had provided a generous meal. Their uncle was absent, having gone into town on his own on some business. While Frank cut into a small roast to make a sandwich, he saw that his sister wore a troubled look on her face. “What now, Ann?”
     
                  “I’ve been thinking. I can’t get that girl off my mind. Y’all didn’t do so fair by her, if you ask me.”
     
                  He shrugged. “You act like you had no part in it.”
     
                  “I didn’t! I told you that I didn’t approve of you misleading her.”
                  “But you did say Tom should marry, didn’t you?” He was finding the beef tough to cut and, frustrated, stopped and sat  back in his chair. “Aw, you’re right. When you’re right, you're right. I guess it’s my conscience bothering me.”
                  She leaned forward. “Maybe, dear brother, you’d feel a bit better if you told her your role in all this? If you’re going to keep running into her, seems you might clear the air.”
                  Jeb considered this proposal. “I can see how that would be best. Lying is a sin, and I guess my not telling the whole tale is a lie of sorts.”
                  “A lie of omission?”
                  “That’s the phrase.” He sighed. “I’ll need to drop in on Gertie again sooner than later.”
    *****
                  Jeb rode into town the next morning and was surprised