The Mysterious Governess (Daughters of Sin Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

ago,” Cosmo hissed to Lissa under his breath when he’d nevertheless propelled her toward the doorway that opened into the passage. “You’ve got a message to him, haven’t you? Telling him that you painted the portrait of Miss Danvers when it was really me!”
    Lissa stepped back at the vitriol in his eyes as she defended herself in a whisper, “Truly, Cosmo, I have no idea what this is about. I’ve said nothing to anyone about... You know.” She trailed off at the warning look in his eye. “It’s just that I met Mr. Tunley last night when my hackney was in an accident. He must be here to see if I’m all right.”
    Cosmo looked first mollified, then assessing. “So you met Lord Debenham’s equerry, or whatever this servant calls himself, last night, did you? Well, Miss Hazlett, you’d better be careful what you tell this gentleman.”
    Lissa squared her shoulders. “I value my position, Master Cosmo, besides which, I have nowhere else to go. Ah, Mr. Tunley, what a pleasant surprise.”
    She was relieved he was dressed like a gentleman of fashion and not a lackey, and unprepared for the lurch she felt in the region of her heart as he was invited at that moment by the maid to step into the drawing room Lissa had hoped to vacate. She certainly did not wish the family to witness her meeting—or her suddenly disordered wits, for such feelings were new to her, as was this young man’s response.
    His easy open grin and the way he tossed his unruly thatch of hair back from his face were signs of an open heart, she thought, liking him even more in the daylight. The only man apart from her brother that she’d had dealings with were Cosmo. Most other gentlemen didn’t deign to look at lowly governesses.
    Mr. Tunley inclined his head then, with a glance at the assembled company, said with all the aplomb of the consummate diplomat, “Is there somewhere Miss Hazlett and I might speak in private? I have something to communicate on behalf of my employer...in confidence.”
    After the rather bemused Lamont family had watched Lissa lead Mr. Tunley to the conservatory, Ralph thrust the parcel he carried under his arm at her and said triumphantly, “I pledged to return your gown—or your mistress’s gown—none the worse for wear.”
    “And managed to set tongues wagging in the process.”
    “Adding to your consequence. You should be grateful to me. The Lamonts will never look at you in the same way, wondering what business you have with the esteemed MP, Lord Debenham.”
    “I just pray I never see him again,” Lissa murmured, stroking the fronds of a large potted palm before smiling up at him, “for he was the only man I danced with at Lady Stanley’s ball, and no one must ever know I left the house and did such a thing.”
    Mr. Tunley cocked his head and looked at her with renewed interest. “You danced with my employer? One of London’s most... dangerous bachelors?” The gleam in his eye faded and he sighed. “I hope you didn’t prefer him over me. That would not be wise, and I’m not saying that only because I’d prefer you favored me. The fact is, I would caution any young lady against falling in love with my employer, even at the risk of my job.”
    Lissa stared at him against the backdrop of exotic greenery and London’s gray London skies through the window in the background. She’d sensed something she hadn’t liked when dancing in Lord Debenham’s arms, chaste though the contact had been.
    “Dangerous? Pray, why is he dangerous?”
    “So you know nothing of Lord Debenham? Of his vendetta against his late cousin’s husband, Sir Aubrey, whom he accuses of being the ringleader in the plot to assassinate Lord Castlereagh?”
    “Good heavens!” Lissa cried, shaking her head. “But surely it’s Sir Aubrey who is the man to beware? At least, that’s what Lord Debenham told me .” She narrowed her eyes. “And why work for a man you clearly do not admire?”
    Mr. Tunley looked abashed for the