Cloaked in Danger Read Online Free PDF Page B

The onslaught of emotions when Lord Merewood had mentioned her father had sent her running from the room before she did something truly ghastly.
    Like cry on his shoulder.
    True, she’d had to return the key, but it was a costly mistake. She hadn’t discovered a blessed thing about Merewood other than he had a healthy distrust of his future brother-in-law. That was gossip fodder, but hardly helpful.
    “What about the others on the list?”
    “I never saw them.” A sense of helplessness washed over her. “I hate this. I am going to parties when I should be doing something! People think I am bloody title hunting, for God’s sake.”
    “Then stop. Your father left you with me to ensure you had—”
    “Proper training on how to be a lady. I know. And so we’re clear, when my father returns, I plan to leave with him.”
    “You’ve made that abundantly clear. And what of Mr. Wade?”
    “How does this concern him?” He was a friend, a companion, and yes he would be upset by her actions, which was why she hadn’t told him anything. His feelings didn’t take priority over finding her father.
    “The man has the patience of a saint to court you,” Emily muttered. “He has waited, without a sign of frustration, for Gideon to return. You know he intends to ask for your hand, even though you act as if you don’t, and you plan to leave posthaste.”
    “He has not professed any intentions regarding marriage.” At least not overt ones. “In any case, that doesn’t matter right now.”
    “It matters if you ruin yourself. I hate it, but we have to prepare for the possibility that Gideon may not return and—”
    “He will.”
    “And if he doesn’t? What then? You need to think about this. If you ruin yourself beyond repair, Mr. Wade’s affection for you won’t matter. And has it occurred to you—” Emily’s hand fell to her extended belly, “—that if you ruin yourself, you also damage this family?”
    Her father would return, so Emily’s concerns were well-intentioned but pointless. She glanced toward the corridor, placing her hand over her mouth to cover a yawn. “How is Uncle John?”
    Emily paused, then let out a sigh. “He woke for a few moments.”
    “And you didn’t tell me the moment I walked in?” Aria tried not to snap, but the ridiculousness of her evening had worn her patience. “Was he lucid this time?”
    “He talked for a few minutes, but he’s exhausted. He was in so much pain that I did not want to push him.”
    “Emily, he was there .” Aria strode into the parlor off the left of the entryway.
    Emily followed. “Now? You wish to interrogate him in the middle of the night? He needs his rest.”
    “He’s been here a month, and this is the first time he has been able to answer anything. We need to know what he remembers.” She continued up the staircase.
    The shuffle of Emily’s footsteps followed her up the stairs, into the corridor and to the set of doors on the left. Aria stopped in front of one and offered a gentle knock. No answer.
    “He’s sleeping,” Emily reminded. “Good heavens, it is morning. We all need some rest.”
    “Go to bed, Emily. You must take care of yourself and the babe.” She placed a hand on the doorknob.
    With a shake of her head, Emily waddled down the corridor.
    Aria turned the doorknob and gently pushed the door open. Darkness filled the room inside, so she stood a moment to adjust. Once the shadows of furniture grew clearer, she ventured toward the bed, her steps hesitant, her lungs struggling to catch hold of a breath of stale air.
    She didn’t need light to know what she’d find, and she steeled her shaky limbs against the visage that lived in her mind like a violent crime witnessed and never forgotten.
    John Dobson, her father’s business partner and dearest friend, the man she called Uncle John, lay still. His prone body was thin and fragile now, a stark contrast to the robust, strong man she had worked beside.
    The dim light cast