The Virgin Huntress by Victoria Vane Read Free Book Online Page A

‘tis also God’s honest truth.”
    “You mean the little wretch endangered her own life in a fit of jealous pique?”
    “Aye, my lord.”
    “You knew this and failed to expose her fraud?”
    Pratt regarded his master with a plaintive look. “Ye should have seen the little vixen! ‘Twere some ‘o the best ridin’ I ever seen. There be few men with the bollocks to do what she done. Mayhap Cap’n Hew be one o’ the few. So ye understand, my lord, I hadn’t the heart to peach her.”
    “So you say the entire escapade was just a fit of passion because Hew was making up to the baroness?”
    “Aye. That be the way I seen it.” Pratt nervously twisted his cap while he awaited the master’s verdict. “Your pardon for the breach o’ trust, my lord?”
    “Don’t get into a lather, Pratt. I’m not about to dismiss you,” DeVere said. “Indeed, I have a more fitting punishment in mind.”
    “How’s that, my lord?” asked the worried groom.
    “Given that you’re already complicit with the scheming little baggage, I intend to put you completely at her disposal. From this moment on, Pratt, you are to answer solely to Lady Vesta. Not the baroness. Not Captain Hew. Whatever the girl’s whim is to be your command. Without question. Without hesitation. This injunction is to be superseded by no one but myself. Do you understand me, Pratt?”
    “Aye, my lord.”
    “Shameless little hussy.” DeVere chuckled under his breath as he departed his stables, his former black mood utterly forgotten.

C HAPTER S EVEN
    “Vesta!” Her godmother nearly ran to her when she entered the vestibule. “Where on earth have you been?” She clasped the girl’s shoulders with a stern reproach. “Don’t you know we were worried sick about you?”
    “But why?” Vesta asked innocently as she removed her bonnet and gloves. “I was with my godfather.”
    Diana led her into the drawing room. “But how was I to know that, Vesta? And moreover, how came you to be with him in the first place?”
    Vesta bit her lip. “Did I not say? He invited me for a drive.”
    “No! You didn’t say!” Diana retorted.
    Vesta tried to look suitably contrite. “I’m so sorry to have worried you, Aunt Di, but I was so eager to see my godfather, and he has yet to pay a call.”
    “I would strongly discourage him from doing so, Vesta.”
    “But why?”
    “Because you are in my charge and should do as I ask,” Diana replied with an evasiveness Vesta couldn’t comprehend.
    “But he has a box at the Theatre Royal for us, Aunt Di!” Vesta protested. “It’s for The Maid of The Oaks. By the by, I’ve invited Uncle Vic and Captain Hew for afternoon tea tomorrow.”
    “Tell me you did not!” Diana retorted with an expression of outraged mixed with dismay.
    “But I just told you I did! Why should I not? I am excessively fond of my godfather. This is my father’s house, after all, and Uncle Vic is his best friend. Besides, you appear to have no objection to entertaining Captain Hew.”
    Diana sniffed. “That is my own business, young lady. Besides, they may be brothers, but I assure you the two are cut from distinctly different cloth.”
    “You are unfair, Aunt Di!”
    “I have my reasons to be, Vesta. You may entertain him if you like, but I feel a megrim coming on and just may feel the need to spend tomorrow abed. I pray you will make my excuses to Lord DeVere.”
    “Of course, I shall,” said Vesta. She smiled her secret smile, thinking the hand couldn’t have played out any better.
    ***
    “Where have you been, missy?” Polly scolded Vesta with a wagging finger the moment she entered her bedchamber. “My poor lady was almost in vapors after you disappeared. They all but raised hue and cry over you.”
    “Hew? Captain Hew?” Vesta said breathlessly.
    Polly shook her head. “A hue and a cry, daft girl.”
    Vesta glared. “I had need of some air.”
    “Four hours worth?” The maid shook out Vesta’s discarded shawl with a