The Secrets of a Scoundrel by Gaelen Foley Read Free Book Online

had become so unaccustomed to kindness that he almost preferred cruelty. At least cruelty was predictable. “Anything,” he repeated in a stronger tone, clearing his throat slightly.
    “Very well.”
    Edward continued up the steps. Nick started to follow, then hesitated. “I have always been rather partial in autumn to a baked apple pudding in pastry.”
    “Ah, apple pie?” she answered with a startled smile.
    He nodded. “As it is also known. But it’s not important—”
    “I’ll see what I can do.”
    He smiled back cautiously, then they went on their way and soon disappeared as Edward showed him up to his room. As Gin stood there, pondering the presence of this hard, dangerous man in her home—and hoping she wasn’t making a big mistake by bringing him here—she got the feeling he did not quite know what to make of her gentleness with him. It was not difficult to see that his mode of life had often been unfair to him and robbed him of all ability to trust.
    Blazes, the only reason he had the connections she so desperately needed was because the Order had wanted him to walk the line between spy for the Crown and criminal. Who could be surprised that moving in that world would eventually affect him?
    Well, she thought, he ought not to place too much trust in her, either. Her expression darkened. After all, she had only told him the bare minimum about her quest.
    With that, she summoned Mrs. Hill. “Have Cook prepare an apple pie for our guest. Also to ensure that large quantities of food are available over the next couple of days. I fear the baron has been much deprived of late.”
    “Yes, my lady.”
    “Mason.” She next turned to the butler. “Send down to the village for Dr. Baldwell to come and examine my guest.”
    “Right away, my lady.” Mason hesitated with a look of concern. “Is Lord Forrester ill, ma’am? If there’s anything we can do to make him more comfortable—”
    “No, it’s all right. He’s spent too much time in unhealthful surroundings of late. I just want the physician to look him over and assure me about the state of his health before I send him into danger.”
    Her staff knew the nature of her investigations, and though they worried for her safety and rather disapproved, they were unshakably loyal.
    “Very good, ma’am.” Mason took leave of her and went to send one of the younger servants off to the village to fetch Dr. Baldwell.
    N ick shed his filthy prison clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist, then went into the bathing room, where the tub was almost full. His architecturally inclined friend Trevor would’ve been so impressed with the hot running water at Lady Burke’s estate, he thought.
    The water that came out of the pipes was ordinary well water, not the mysterious healing flows from the hot springs outside. But no matter.
    Nick shut the door, removed the towel, and stepped into the hot water, feeling like a veritable king as he lowered himself into it.
    He bathed with gusto, submerging himself under the suds, washing his hair, soaping himself all over, and getting the stink and the coldness of the dungeon off him, hopefully never to return.
    It was already starting to feel like it all had been nothing but a bad dream.
    Meanwhile, in the next room, Edward dutifully aired out the three sets of clothes that had been stored in Nick’s box of belongings during his incarceration.
    The tidy young footman pressed his shirts, coats, cravats, and trousers, then shined his boots for him in the next room. This done, he left to go and burn Nick’s prison clothes, as ordered.
    In the bathing tub, meanwhile, Nick took a razor in one hand and a mirror in the other and gave himself a careful shave. It seemed a great luxury.
    During his sentence, he had only been permitted to use his razor once a week, and he had to give it back as soon as he was finished; knowing his skill with a blade, the guards took many precautions about such things.
    He was not a vain man, but he