Twelfth Night Secrets Read Online Free PDF Page A

problems, you’ll discuss them with Mrs. Sutcliff or Mr. Mallow.”
    “Of course, ma’am. But I don’t anticipate any.” He bowed and hurried away.
    Harriet continued down the corridor. The door to the corner chamber was ajar, lamplight throwing a narrow beam into the corridor. She paused, her hand raised to tap upon the door, but something made her hesitate. The Earl’s figure appeared in the gap, bending over a lit candle. He held a piece of paper in his hand, his eyes upon it, then touched the edge to the candle flame. The parchment caught fire, and he held it steady until it was down to the far corner, then let the ashes fall to the table. Swiftly, he swept up the gray heap into the palm of his hand and turned to drop the ashes into the fire.
    Now, why didn’t he simply burn the paper in the fire in the first place? Harriet wondered, until it occurred to her that sometimes odd scraps drifted to the back of the hearth and could be retrieved when the grate was swept.Maybe the Earl was overcautious, but if what he had burned was for his eyes only, then he had his reasons.
    Dear heaven, she was thinking like a spy herself now—amazing how quickly one caught on. It was a sardonic reflection, and she was about to turn away, suddenly feeling uncomfortably like a voyeur, when the door was abruptly pulled wide open, and the Earl stood there, regarding her through a quizzing glass. His thick dark hair was cut in the new shorter style, brushed back from a broad, intelligent brow. His plain white cravat was tied high under his throat, a diamond pin throwing blue fire in its folds. His cut-away black wool coat and close-fitting knee britches set off his tall, slender figure to perfection. She absorbed all of this inadvertently despite her shock and embarrassment.
    His black eyes held a glimmer of knowing amusement that added to her discomfort. “Ah,” he said. “I had a feeling someone was hovering. Is there something I can do for you, Lady Harriet? Or is your visit purely coincidental?” There was a slightly mocking tone to his rich voice that made her hackles rise and deepened her sense of chagrin. She felt like a small child caught stealing cake. She managed what she hoped was a collected, noncommittal smile.
    “Neither, my lord. I merely wished to be sure that everything was in order and you were quite satisfied with Thomas.”
    “Perfectly, thank you.”
    He stepped into the corridor, closing the door firmly at his back. “Are you going downstairs? May I escort you?”
    “I have some housekeeping visits to make first,” she responded with a slight curtsy. “The Duke is in the library. I should warn you that he has my twin siblings with him. I’m sure in their grandfather’s presence, they’re well under control, but they can be a little volatile on occasion.”
    “Nothing that will surprise me, I’m certain, Lady Harriet. My sister has a large brood, so I’m quite accustomed to the company of small fry. Indeed, I enjoy it.” He bowed over her hand. “I will see you shortly.”
    She smiled her acknowledgment, and he strolled off down the corridor to the galleried landing without a backwards glance.
    Harriet pursed her lips, watching him walk away. It seemed incongruous that such a man should confess to enjoying the company of children, as out of place as his solicitude for his young dog. But then,the face of villainy had many expressions. She waited until he turned the corner to the landing, then laid her hand firmly on the door latch, lifting it slowly. She had every right to enter the guest chambers in her role as hostess, so why was her heart beating so fast as she pushed open the door onto the warmly lit room? Tess, curled up on a blanket in front of the fire, raised her head incuriously as she stepped inside.
    “It’s all right, Tess. It’s only me,” Harriet murmured, and with a breathy sigh, the dog rested her head on her paws again, but her brown eyes were alert, watching the visitor’s every