The Earl's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page B

his bounds, but he felt honor-bound to say something to Sylvie. With a deep breath, he left the dining room and went searching for her. It took him quite a bit of time to locate her room, as the servants seemed reluctant to reveal her whereabouts to him. Finally, he knocked on her door and waited.
    When Sylvie answered, her eyes were narrowed. “A man,” she began, “should never visit a lady in her bedchamber.”
    “You did ask me to say farewell,” he reminded her.
    “Ah. Indeed.” Sylvie stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind her. “Does this mean you are leaving, then?”
    “I am.”
    “Are you going to tell me it was a pleasure to escort me?” She simultaneously raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Because if you say that, I am not going to believe you.”
    “I wasn't going say that,” Peter said with a wink.
    “You are a very honest man, Hughes. Has anyone ever told you that?”
    “They have. And because I'm honest, I should tell you something about your Robert... er... Mr. Lytton,” Peter corrected himself. “He might not be quite as devoted as you believe he is.”
    Her arms were crossed: an immediate defensive posture. “What would make you say such a thing?”
    “I don't believe Miss Overton is his cousin...” Peter spoke softly, as if hushed words would somehow soften the blow. “I believe she might be his mistress.”
    “That's preposterous!” Sylvie squealed. “And these are the words you wish to part on? Do you want to make me hate you before you leave?”
    “Of course not.”
    “You take me all the way to Nottingham... and then you try to put doubt in my head?” Tears wavered in the rims of Sylvie's eyes as she glowered at the man standing in front of her. And to think—she had actually liked him! He was not even worthy of the tiniest fond feeling. He was just a carriage driver. A working man. Far below her notice. Why did she ever feel indebted to him or drawn to him? “I am rather disgusted with you right now.”
    “I'm sorry, my lady.” Peter's eyes dropped to the floor. He wanted to tell her about his conversation with Miss Overton, but he doubted she would believe him anyway. She seemed determined to believe the best about her beau. “I suppose I should excuse myself now.”
    “Yes! Yes, you should.” Her arms stayed crossed, and her eyes looked thunderous. “Good day to you, Peter. Regardless of our poor parting, I will always reflect fondly of our journey together.”
    “Will you?” He cracked a rare smile. “You called me Peter.”
    “Did I?” Sylvie opened the door to her bedchamber and turned away from him. “Well then, Hughes , you should take your leave.”
    “Farewell...” Peter swept his raggedly brown cap from his head, took a step back, and bowed to her, “...my lady.”
    As Sylvie closed the door, she was surprised at how rapidly her heart was racing. What was the reason for her elevated heart rate, she wondered. Perhaps she felt there was some truth in Peter's words—had Robert been unfaithful to her? Or was there another reason for her drumming pulse? Was it the fact that—to her great surprise—she would actually miss Peter Hughes? When he was gone, it was quite obvious she would never see him again.
    Sylvie raced to the window and peeled back the curtain. In a moment's time, she saw Peter appear below her. It was raining again, so hard that he was soaked within seconds. He had tugged off his coat and rolled up his sleeves, and for whatever reason, there was something alluring about a man in drenched shirtsleeves. Sylvie was careful to stay behind the curtain, as she did not want him to catch her staring at him. She saw him rush into the stables, presumably to ready his carriage. Once he reappeared, he would be leaving her life forever.
    “Foolish Sylvie,” she whispered to herself. “Why do you care so much about the departure of such an... unworthy man? He's not even a gentleman. He's not even that handsome.”
    Her last sentence