The Unmapped Sea by Maryrose Wood Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ve got to do everything I can for Constance, and for the child.” He paused to gaze out the window, then let the curtains fall. “The girl may have married me for my money, and perhaps she does like me a bit, too, heaven knows why. I think I’m a bit of a bore, personally. But I’ll tell you one thing: When she wed me, she didn’t sign up to raise a barking baby Ashton. And if you don’t come up with a cure before the first of May, a barking baby Ashton is just what she’s going to have.”
    â€œThe first of May!” she exclaimed. Now she realized what Madame Ionesco must have meant when she had said “time is running out.” Edward Ashton had once told her that the curse could not be ended in his generation, but in his son’s—meaning Fredrick’s. Once the baby was born, would it be too late?
    Worn out at last, Lord Fredrick crumpled into his chair. “Yes, the first of May, more or less. What alegacy to pass on to my son.”
    â€œBut what if it is a girl?” Penelope blurted.
    â€œIt won’t be. There have been no girls born in the family since . . . well, I don’t know when.” Lord Fredrick put down the cigar, and his hands grew still. “My only concern right now is for my wife, and my son. Poor lad! Come his first full moon, he’ll howl those little mewling howls, like a newborn pup, and then what am I supposed to tell his mother? I know she’s suspicious. ‘Where are you off to this time, Freddy? Why must you go to your gentlemen’s club again? Why are you so itchy? Why do you make those dreadful noises?’ My pretending to get rashes and whooping cough is not fooling her anymore. Enough, I say. It’s time to get to the bottom of it. The truth is, Miss Lumley, I’ve no one else to turn to.”
    He looked so forlorn sitting there that Penelope could almost—but not quite—forgive him for all the taxidermy. “I shall do my best, my lord. But I too have a request.” She took a deep breath. “A trip to Brighton offers a cornucopia of educational opportunities—”
    Lord Fredrick jumped up from his seat. “Right! That’s the other thing. You’re coming to Brighton. The Incorrigibles, too. No protests, please! I’m sick of hearing people complain about the weather. Put on a hat,for heaven’s sake. You’d think we were going to the South Pole, the way the servants carry on.”
    All that Penelope was prepared to say regarding tides, seashells, and the life cycle of the hermit crab melted like candy floss in her mouth. “We shall be delighted to join you and Lady Ashton on holiday, sir,” she answered meekly.
    He squinted in her direction, as if trying to get a better view of her. “Well, good. Good! You’re not a whiner, Miss Lumley. I like that about you. My wife and I leave later today, at one o’clock. Old Timothy will drive us in the carriage; I’ll trust no one else to do it. The servants will go tomorrow by train, with the luggage. You can travel with them.” He paused. “According to the almanac, the full moon’s next Tuesday. Perhaps the wolf children can keep me company. Don’t worry, I’ll be no danger to them. But a bit of companionship would be a nice change.”
    â€œVery well, my lord,” she said, keeping her voice steady.
    His blurred gaze softened. “It’s an extraordinary thing not to be judged, Miss Lumley. At least the Incorrigibles have one another. I’ve suffered alone, all these years.” Abruptly he turned and pounded his fist on the desk, so hard the ashtrays rattled. “No child of minewill go through it! I swear it!” Wincing, he flexed his fingers, gave the hand a shake, and shoved it into his pocket. “That’s all,” he said gruffly. “You may go.”
    Penelope rose to obey, but she had scarcely made it to the door before Lord Fredrick