Alias Thomas Bennet Read Online Free PDF Page A

smiling.
    “The word will be out in Meryton before morning that George Darcy’s boy bested me at chess!”
    ***
    May 1792
Derbyshire
    Lord Shelton was in a very good mood. His business had kept him in Town for more than a week, but he impulsively decided to return home two days earlier than expected. Now his carriage was approaching the manor house, and he was quite excitedly anticipating the reunion with his family. This was the first time he and his wife had been apart since her confinement, and he missed her sweet comfort dearly. He planned to madly kiss his young family, and as soon as propriety allowed, retire with his wife to their chambers. He warmed with anticipation of their union.
    He was fortunate his parents had always intended him to marry Lady Olivia. Her family were close friends, and she was a spirited and intelligent child with whom he fell in love as she became a young woman. It was a perfect match, bringing a good fortune for their future children and joining two esteemed families. Shelton was not one for patience; he had been impatient to become betrothed—officially announcing it at the end of her first season—and impatient to marry, as any young man deeply in love can understand. Likewise, he was now impatient to get back to the wife he continued to love passionately.
    The manor house came into view. His spendthrift grandfather had reduced the size of the land holdings and neglected the estate, but his father brought it back to prosperity. It was now well maintained compared to many other homes of the peerage. The tenants and staff had strong loyalty to the family who were generous and kind. The young master inherited three years previously; he had been well taught by his father, and he was proving to be equally esteemed.
    The new mistress had been married to the master for more than four years. She was quite beautiful and had come from a similarly well-managed estate. Her generosity and easy manners made her a favourite with the servants and tenants alike.
    As the carriage moved down the drive, Lord Shelton noticed the butler and housekeeper were there to greet him, but he could not see his wife. He had received her last letter three days prior and hoped she had not fallen ill while he was travelling back to her. Nearing his home, he became more concerned as he saw the despair on the faces of his servants. He leapt from the carriage the instant the step was lowered and immediately asked for Lady Shelton.
    “Sir, the mistress is gravely ill and is being attended by Dr. Wilson in her chambers.” The butler’s voice broke towards the end of the news he dreaded giving. The housekeeper looked away as tears escaped her control. Lord Shelton paled.
    “What has occurred in my absence? Has she a malady? Was there an accident?”
    “Sir, she suffered a fall.”
    “Good God! What happened?” Shelton asked as he quickly passed his hat and gloves to a waiting footman.
    “Sir, Lady Shelton returned from her usual ride yesterday morn to find horses waiting at the front door instead of tended to in the stables. She asked the boy as to the circumstances, and he said there was a caller who was not intending to stay long. She went into the house, and Mrs. Scott informed her that the caller was waiting in the green drawing room. Mrs. Scott was arranging for tea when she was called away to a minor fire in the kitchens. She returned to find both the footman and the mistress badly hurt and unconscious.”
    The housekeeper let a sob escape as her husband disclosed this last bit of information. Lord Shelton’s face showed alternately fury and anguish as he clenched his fists at his side. He started moving towards the stairs as he attended to the butler’s recitation.
    “Sir, the footman regained consciousness this morning. He said that, when he attended to her ladyship’s calls of distress, the drawing room door was locked. He forced the door open and saw the mistress being most indecently attacked. When he ran