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it for me until tomorrow, will you? I shall probably need it again.
    Now then, tell me what quaint, rustic enter tainments Ware plans to inflict upon us today." When I went
    downstairs earlier," Emma said, the housekeeper told me that the gentlemen will attend a local race
    meeting this afternoon. The ladies are going to try their skills at archery and other games." Letty looked
    briefly wistful. I'd rather go to the races but I suppose that won't be possible." It would certainly shock
    the local gentry to see a lady placing wagers alongside the farmers and the gentlemen from Town," Emma
    agreed cheerfully. By the bye, Cook told me that breakfast will be served late again." Should hope so."
    Letty massaged her temples. Doubt if I'll be able to stir from this bed for at least another hour. Can't face
    the thought of eating until noon at the very earliest. Doubt if any of the others can, either. We were all
    thoroughly foxed by the time we dragged ourselves off to bed." I do not doubt it." Letty squinted.
    Suppose you were up bright and early, as usual?" I have always been an early riser," Emma murmured.
    I'm well aware that in your considered opinion nothing interesting ever happens in the morning, but some
    of us are stuck with mornings." There was no point explaining to Letty that she had arisen even earlier
    than usual because she had slept quite poorly. Oddly enough, it was not her concerns about Chilton
    Crane that had kept her awake.
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    Her thoughts had been consumed by her late night encounter with Edison Stokes. It made a change, she
    told herself philosophically. Usually when she was unable to sleep it was because the specter of her
    shaky financial predicament hovered over her bed. Edison Stokes was certainly a good deal more
    interesting than her own uncertain future. It occurred to her that, given her rather dangerous agreement
    with him, it would behoove her to learn as much as possible about Stokes. Letty was always an excellent
    source of information on the wealthy and the powerful. Emma cleared her throat. I had a brief chat on the
    stairs with Mister Stokes last night. He is an interesting gentleman." Hah. Money has a way of making any
    man appear interesting," Letty said with relish. And Stokes has got enough to make him down right
    fascinating." Emma probed cautiously. Investments, I suppose." Of course. Hadn't a penny to his name
    when he was a lad. Born on the wrong side of the blanket, dontcha know. The Exbridge heir was the
    father. Got some silly little governess pregnant." I see." Lady Exbridge has never forgiven her grandson,
    of course." It was hardly Mister Stokes's fault that he was born out of wedlock." Letty made a face.
    Doubt if you'll ever convince Victoria of that. Every time she sees him, she has to face the fact that her
    son, Wesley, never got himself a legitimate heir before he broke his fool neck in a riding accident. It eats
    at her, y'see." You mean, she has focused her anger at her son onto her grandson?" I suppose. It wasn't
    just that Wesley got himself killed before he did his duty by the title. He also managed to lose the estates
    in a series of card games just before he died." It sounds as though this Wesley at least possessed the
    virtue of consistency." Indeed. He was a complete disgrace. In any event, young Stokes returned from
    abroad with a fortune about that time. He saved the lot from the creditors and restored the Exbridge
    finances. Saved Victoria from bankruptcy. Naturally, she cannot forgive him for that, either."
    Emma raised her brows. I'll wager it did not stop her from taking the money, however." Of course not.
    No one ever called Victoria stupid. Haven't actually seen much of her in years. We were never close
    friends but we had a nodding acquaintance. After Wesley died she shut herself away in that mansion of
    hers. Never accepts invitations. I believe she attends the theater