The Poor Relation Read Online Free PDF Page A

Chloe was more than happy to retire early.  Seldom had she encountered a more cliquish and antagonistic group of individuals.
    Depositing the baroness with Hannah, Chloe asked for Lady Caro’s leash.  But Hannah protested.  “Not again, Miss Chloe, you need to let a footman take that spoiled animal out.”
    “Perhaps, but I plan to take advantage of the fact we are in the country and can enjoy the night air.  I’ll just be a little while.” Chloe grabbed the leash, scooped up the dancing Yorky, and moments later breathed a sigh of contentment as she slowed her pace to stroll among the Court ’s rear gardens.  
    The crisp breeze ruffled the foliage, and Chloe pulled her shawl over her shoulders to ward off the chill.  With a sky full of stars, a half moon bathed the landscape in varying shades of silver.  Letting Lady Caro run loose, Chloe followed the small dog’s meandering path through the gardens toward the high hedges behind which was a small meadow before the impenetrable wall of the dark woods.  
    ~~~~~
    It took some doing, but pleading the need to retire early after his sojourn from London, Camden finally shook himself free of Judith.  The widow’s possessiveness was presenting a problem.  He’d be late for his meeting with Raikes.  
    Quickly traversing the long hallway, Camden made for the salon that made up the rear of the Court and overlooked the gardens.  Unlatching one of the French doors, he closed it softly behind him before making his way through the gardens.  As he headed for the woods, he thought again of Lady Milbanke’s young companion, Miss Chloe Woodforde.  She was pretty enough with a curvaceous figure, honey gold hair, and pert nose.
    But it was her large hazel eyes, honest and trusting, that intrigued him.  Those honest eyes he’d encountered at the Rose and Thistle.  Those trusting eyes that told him she wouldn’t tell his secret earlier tonight in the drawing room.  And he wondered why.  
    He slowed his pace as he entered the woods.  Letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, he picked his way cautiously along a narrow bridle path.  He hadn’t gone very far when he came to a small glen and halted.  His eyes scanned the perimeter, locking on a dark shape separate from a tree trunk and move d around the glen’s edge toward him. 
    Recognizing the small wiry frame, Camden took a step away from the tree he’d used for concealment and greeted his friend.  “Have you any news?”
    Raikes, with his black knit cap pulled low on his forehead, stepped out from the shadows.  “Aye, Gov.  Met up with Captain Hawker of the Royal Horse Guards.  His patrol’s been assigned to this area.  Ain’t going to make our job any easier.”
    “Perhaps, but it can’t hurt,” Camden said.  “Any word from London?”
    “Newspapers carried the story about the Duke of Cambridge’s jewel heist.  Could explain Pearson’s rush to leave Town.”
    “Maybe, but how is he to turn the jewels into cash?”
    Raikes shrugged and said, “There’s more.  Heard the Runners are hard on his heels.  Seems he owes everybody and his brother.”  
    “Hear anything about the missing diplomatic pouch?”
    “Mum’s the word, Gov.”
    “Keep your eyes peeled,” Camden said.  “The Marquis and Howard expect us to flush out our bird before he flies to the continent.”
    As Camden headed back to the Court, he contemplated the Marquis’s gamble.  Everything was in place.  Now they waited for the culprits to make the next move.  And if all went according to plan, the guests would never learn the reason behind this house party.
    At the edge of the woods, Camden halted to survey the gardens for something out of the ordinary.  Not that he expected anything to happen this early in the game.   And it was a game, a dangerous one that he’d started before he’d inherited his title.  He was also good at it and found himself unable to quit.  But he was tiring of it.  And whereas the