The Lady Forfeits Read Online Free PDF

misunderstand me,’ she added hastily as Gabriel raised his brows. ‘Caroline and Elizabeth were both dutiful daughters. Accepted the reasons for our father’s decision not to give any of us a London Season, or indeed his wish to not introduce us into London society at all—’
    ‘Am I right in thinking your father made that decision based on your mother’s behaviour ten years ago?’ he interrupted gently.
    Blond lashes lowered over those sky-blue eyes. ‘Our father certainly blamed the…excesses of London society for my mother having left us, yes.’
    Circumstances meant that Gabriel himself had not been part of that society for a number of years, but nevertheless he could understand Copeland’s concern for his three no doubt impressionable daughters. ‘He did not fear that keeping you and your sisters shut away in Hampshire might result in the opposite of what he intended? That one or all of you might be tempted into doing exactly as your mother had done and run away to London?’
    ‘Certainly not!’ Her reply was both quick and indignant. ‘As I have said, Caroline and Elizabeth found life in the country somewhat restricting, but they would never have hurt our father by openly disobeying him.’
    ‘They obviously did not feel the same reluctance where I am concerned,’ Gabriel pointed out with a rueful grimace. ‘Your presence here would seem to imply that you believe your sisters to have finally come to London now.’
    In truth, Diana had no idea where her sisters had gone after they’d left Shoreley Park. But having searched extensively locally, with no joy, London, with all its temptations and excitement, had seemed the next logical choice. Except Diana had not realised until she arrived here quite how large and busy a city London was. Or how difficult it would be to locate two particular young ladies amongst its sprawling population.
    ‘I believed it to be a possibility I might find at leastone of them here. My sisters did not leave together, you see,’ she explained as Gabriel once again raised arrogantly questioning brows. ‘Caroline disappeared first, with Elizabeth following two days later. Caroline has always been the more impulsive of the two.’ She gave an affectionate if exasperated sigh.
    Gabriel’s face darkened ominously. ‘They had the good sense to bring their maids with them, I hope?’
    Diana winced. ‘I believe they both thought that a maid might try to hinder their departure—’
    ‘You are telling me that they are both likely somewhere here in London completely unprotected?’ The earl looked scandalised at the prospect.
    Diana was no less alarmed now that she had actually arrived in London and become aware of some of the dangers facing a young woman alone here—over-familiarity and robbery being the least of them. ‘I am hoping that is not the case, and that the two of them had made some sort of pact to meet up once they were here.’ Rather a large hope, considering Elizabeth had seemed as surprised as Diana—and resentful—by Caroline’s sudden disappearance. ‘In any case, I am sure they will have come to no harm. That we may even one day all come to laugh about this adventure.’
    Gabriel was not fooled for a moment by Diana’s words of optimism and could clearly see the lines of worry creasing her creamy brow. It was a worry he, knowing only too well of the seedy underbelly of London, now shared. ‘I trust you did not also come to London unchaperoned?’
    ‘Oh, no,’ she assured him hurriedly. ‘My Aunt Humphries and both our maids accompanied me here.’
    ‘Your Aunt Humphries?’
    ‘My father’s younger sister. She was married to a naval man, but unfortunately he was killed during the Battle of Trafalgar.’
    ‘And am I right in thinking that she now resides with you in Hampshire?’
    ‘Since her husband’s death, yes.’
    Good Lord, it seemed he did not have just three young, unruly wards to plague him, but an elderly widow he was also responsible