Keepsake (The Distinguished Rogues Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

have a feeling it’s not where your husband resides.”
    Daventry was far too perceptive. It was a mistake to have lingered, succumbing to curiosity and the bonds of friendship when Martin had pressed her to meet mutual acquaintances again. She sensed Martin shift closer, as if preparing to defend her from Lord Daventry’s questioning. Daventry was harmless in the scheme of things, and she had no doubts she could easily deflect his curiosity by mentioning the one thing he adored most in life. “Where I go is my business. Run back to your wife before she feels abandoned.”
    As hoped, he glanced behind him.
    “I’m here,” Lady Daventry said softly as she joined them, seeming to float on air as if she barely touched the ground. “He merely moves faster than I am able and went ahead to catch you.”
    Miranda studied the deceptively fragile girl with growing annoyance. She needed to flee, not stop and speak to every one of Taverham’s acquaintances. Daventry might have chosen love over practicality when he’d wed Lillian, but neither had had to contend with difficult connections. They would never understand the obstacles Miranda would face in the coming days. She’d need all her strength, all her patience, all the resilience she possessed to right a wrong of her own making.
    She shook herself from her worries. Carriage wheels were approaching. Her path to freedom was at hand and then she would rest. Tomorrow would be soon enough for stage two of her plan. Taverham had taught her the true meaning of commitment in the short time they’d spent together. “I simply must go.”
    Daventry stayed her flight with a light touch to her arm. “We do not mean to delay you. My wife has grown weary of the theater anyway and I unwisely loaned our carriage to another patron who was under the weather. It hasn’t returned as yet. Perhaps you might see us home?”
    Her dark carriage, borrowed from Lord Louth’s stables, stopped before the open door. Landry rushed to drop the steps and opened the door for Miranda so she could enter. Given Lillian’s fragile health, she nodded her agreement. Miranda clambered in without another word. She couldn’t delay any longer or Taverham would find her.
    Lillian took the seat opposite and Daventry chose to sit beside his wife. Miranda smiled at their closeness, a subject London loved to gossip over, as if such affection defied belief. Miranda had seen such devotion a time or two herself, and she was rather envious of how content they looked together.
    Louth remained without and shut the door firmly. The carriage rocked as Landry climbed up at the rear and called to the driver to move off.
    As they rumbled off down Drury Lane, an angry male voice, Taverham’s certainly, called out to the coachman to wait. Thankfully, the driver remembered his instructions and did not obey her husband’s shouted command but instead continued on their way into the heart of Mayfair via a circuitous route designed to avoid notice.
    Miranda was a little impressed that Taverham had troubled himself to chase after her. The ordering everyone about was always expected when one dealt with the marquess.
    Daventry cleared his throat. “Lovely evening, isn’t it?”
    Despite her desire not to reconnect with her husband’s set too closely, she smiled warmly at her unwanted companions. “Daventry, you really are droll.”
    “Among friends one can be himself.” Daventry caught his wife’s hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “Taverham will be angry.”
    “Better angry than a man twice married.” She’d thought long and hard about her decision to go to the theatre tonight and prevent Taverham from confirming to the world that there was no obstacle in marrying the widowed Lady Brighthurst. It was imperative that her life and their marriage not be set aside. Her needs must come first this time.
    “True,” Lillian said softly, her brow crinkling with worry. “I am sure he would not have cared for that