Debra Mullins Read Online Free PDF Page B

not.”
    “I thought it might help,” Anna murmured. Though at the time she had meant it would help in the search for the truth about Anthony’s death, not help her to become a more polished wife for Lord Haverford.
    “Where is that wretched Lizzie?” Henrietta asked in exasperation. “We can expect callers quite early, and you are not ready.”
    “I’ll be ready, Mama. I promise.”
    Henrietta made a sound of impatience. “I will send Lizzie to you right away. And she can bring a cold compress for your eyes.”
    “Heavens, are they very red?” Anna turned to study her face in the mirror.
    “Not very.” Her mother came over and laid ahand on her shoulder, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “I miss him, too.”
    Rendered mute by the emotion that clogged her throat, Anna squeezed her mother’s hand in a rare moment of mutual understanding. Then Henrietta turned and left the room, leaving her daughter alone with her thoughts.
     
    Where the devil had Peter gotten to?
    Rome stepped out of his carriage with a curt nod to the servant holding the door open for him. He stalked up the steps to his mother’s home and rapped the door knocker, frustration sharpening his every movement.
    The harmless fencing club had changed before his eyes into something that could well prove dangerous. This morning he’d visited all Peter’s haunts and paid a call on his aunt. No one had heard from him all night. After the incident at Vauxhall, he was certain Peter had gone into hiding along with his cronies, and when Rome found him, the boy’s ears would bleed from the lecture he would receive.
    As he waited for someone to come to the door, unanswered questions nagged at Rome like harping fishwives. Who was the swordsman who’d interrupted their party the night before and what was his connection to the fencing society? Where had Peter disappeared afterward? He wanted answers, and not just about Peter’s activities.
    The fact that the alluring Rose had slipped away from him and disappeared without a trace did not improve his disposition.
    The door opened, reminding him of the reason he was not still out searching. “Ah, Mr. Devereaux.” The butler stepped aside and motioned him to enter. “Your mother and Mrs. Emberly are waiting for you in the parlor.”
    “Thank you, Hinton.” Rome stepped inside. In the few moments necessary to remove his hat and gloves and hand them to Hinton, he wrestled for control of his simmering emotions, forcing his annoyance and worry to the back of his mind. His mother was ever a fragile female, and his black temper would certainly ruin her evening.
    When he had himself under control, he entered the parlor. His sister Lavinia sprang to her feet. “Rome!” she cried, throwing her arms wide to embrace her brother.
    The last of his vexation melted away. “Have a care for my cravat, Vin.”
    “So you value your elegant neckcloth more than your sister?” Lavinia fixed him with the same infectious grin she had worn as a child, her hazel eyes sparkling.
    “Let us just say that you are both of equal value to me.” He squeezed his sister in an embrace that made her giggle.
    “Roman, really.” From the settee, Eleanor Devereaux sent them an indulgent smile that underscored the gentle scolding in her voice. “Lavinia, do remember you are a grown woman.”
    “As if I can forget, Mama.” Vin gave him another beaming smile. “Congratulations, brother. I am about to make you an uncle.”
    “What’s this?” Roman said, releasing her. “You and Emberly have finally decided to do your duty to the family line?”
    “Roman!” his mother exclaimed.
    “I’m simply shocked,” Rome said as he made his way over to kiss his mother on the cheek. “You and I know Vin has never done anything she is supposed to.”
    Lavinia made faces at him, and Eleanor swatted him away with a playful wave. “Roman, you say the most scandalous things! I am thrilled for them both.” She sent him a sidelong glance. “It’s