Tremble in the Dark: A Gwen Farris Novel by P. S. Power Read Free Book Online Page B

when Bethany moved to the front, her face firm.
    "We're
required, due to a matter of honor, not to speak of why we're here. It's imperative that we see Miss Wendell, right now. The visit to see Duke Aubry is a polite
fiction, to give us a reason to be here, without leading to embarrassment for
others. Gwen is his former fiancé, and is seeking to remain friends, so perhaps
a word could be put in?" She gave the fellow a cool look that should have made him freeze, but the man bowed slightly instead.
    "I
understand. I'll see to that. Your name ma'am?" He indicated her by
looking at her directly, still seeming rather slow moving and polite. Hopefully
Lisa would be as well. It would be a horrible time for her to hurry.
    "Gwen
Farris." She nearly asked the man to please hurry, but he turned and
walked away at a good speed, clearly getting the idea. It wasn't a sprint, but
a few minutes later he was back, with several guards. One of them looked at
Bethany, and then nodded.
    "This
is one of the Westmorlands. I recognize her from the funeral and when they were
detailed here a few months back. This other is Katherine Vernor. You know that
story."
    The
butler nodded.
    "Very
well then. Gentlemen, this has been given to me as a matter of honor, so please
escort Miss Westmorland to see Miss Wendell. She should be in her office at
this hour."
    Beth
shook her head.
    "She's
in her chambers. She might have... Taken ill, due to unknown causes. That or
she's about to. I believe I can prevent that."
    There
was no indication that they understood, but they all moved off at a walk that
was even faster than what the butler, whatever his name was, had used. That
meant a lot then. Somewhere in what Beth had said, she'd told them what was up,
without ever saying the words.
    It
meant that she was left standing there, not even really certain if Christophe
would ever want to see her again at all. She was dressed nicely enough, but
hadn't come to visit really, and it was nearing dinner time. If it saved a life
though, she could stand there all night for all she cared. Her feet would hurt,
and she'd get tired and bored, but that was a small price to pay, if it got
Beth into the right room in time to stop something wretched.
    She
smiled, looking at the man in front of her, not trying to impose at all. To her
surprise he bowed again and gestured toward the inner hallway with his right
hand. It was a big thing, and looked practiced, but a bit too theatrical
really. Like he was in a show as an extra, playing the part of a butler, and
was really trying to sell the whole thing with every move, hoping to be
noticed.
    Walking
into the place wasn't exactly new to her, since she'd been there a few times, and
it didn't seem to have changed a lot in the last few months. Not here in the
front foyer. No place else at all either, as far as she could tell. Places like
this probably didn't. Why mess with what had already worked for six
generations, right?
    They
ended at a sitting room, but it was an empty thing, near the far left side of
the building. The colors of the space were all dark green and beige carpet, and
while it was clearly tasteful, it had the feeling of a place where business was
done. Along one wall there were three desks, and a Telestator was on a large
table in the right corner. This wasn't a sitting room at all, but a home
office. She was probably supposed to be insulted or something, not being
treated as a guest, but the butler had made a good point. You didn't just walk
in and expect a Duke to receive you because you knocked on his door.
    So,
when Christophe walked in, looking just as young and cute as ever, being only
nineteen, or possibly twenty now, but more somber than she remembered him being,
she was startled. Less lost looking too, which was good to see. She stood
looking at him for a moment, and he did the same, but recovered first.
    So,
point to him? Was that a thing here? Social points like that? Well, if not, she
could start it.
    "Gwen?
I