Undesirable Liaison Read Online Free PDF

significance of this, Florence
refrained from probing this intriguing statement further. Her
imagination, trained by circumstance, was well able to work upon
these few words to form a picture of the unknown lady’s way of
life. She changed tack.
    ‘I did wonder
whether the greatcoat dress had been made in Paris. Perhaps you may
be able to enlighten me, Miss Pinxton.’
    A sour smile
crimped the woman’s mouth. ‘And it weren’t the only piece of
extravagance she indulged.’ She shrugged. ‘Not that he couldn’t
afford it—then. If she’d had any sense, she’d have persuaded him to
keep out of France altogether. He could have had his money sent,
instead of going back for it. Near as nothing lost his head for his
pains, and got no money neither. I told her not to trust no
Frenchman, but would she listen? If you ask me, she’d have been
better off sticking with the captain.’ A heavy sigh escaped the
woman, who had apparently forgotten she was in the company of
strangers. ‘Not that it makes any odds. She’s gone, and it’s all
done with. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes.’ The note of melancholy
gave way to anguish. ‘She gave it all up! From my lady Langriville
to a pauper’s coffin! And for what?’
    The creature’s
hands were over her face, and she was shaking. Horrified by the
tragic tale hinted at, and dreading having to explain the
implications to her naïve younger sister—whose face was alive with
curiosity, though she thankfully kept her tongue for the
present—Florence wavered between marching straight out of the place
and remaining to comfort Miss Pinxton.
    There was
little more to be gained here in any event. It was plain that the
maid, distressed as she was, had chosen, or perhaps been forced by
need, to make use of her mistress’s garments for her livelihood.
She plainly knew nothing of the concealed jewel, and Flo could not
in conscience reveal what the lady had not wished her maid to know.
Which led to a further question.
    ‘Is there no
one to whom the lady’s belongings should rightfully be passed?’
    The woman
pokered up at once. ‘You’re saying I’ve no right to them.’
    Flo held the
black gaze. ‘That is a matter for your conscience, Miss
Pinxton.’
    A resentful
silence followed.
    Florence tried
again. ‘You mentioned the name of Langriville, I think?’
    Miss Pinxton’s
features depicted dismay. ‘I didn’t. I never said any such
thing!’
    ‘Yes, you did,’
chimed in Belinda unexpectedly. ‘I heard you distinctly. You said
she was Lady Langriville.’
    The maid shot
the child a glance of acute dislike, and returned her gaze to Flo.
‘You wanted to know if my lady wished to dispose of the gown,
didn’t you? That’s what you came for. Well, you’ve got your
answer.’
    ‘I also said I
wished to know the identity of the owner,’ Flo pointed out.
    Miss Pinxton
was once more upon her feet. ‘I’ve got nothing more to say, ma’am.
You’d best go. You can keep the gown and welcome.’
    It was useless
to argue further. Florence folded the greatcoat dress yet again and
tucked it back into the basket. Then she rose from the daybed.
    ‘Come along,
Belinda.’
    She crossed to
the door, her sister in tow. A shrill warning came from behind.
    ‘And if you’ve
any thought of informing on me, ma’am, let me tell you—’
    Turning,
Florence cut her off.
    ‘My dear Miss
Pinxton, you may rest easy. I will say nothing. If you choose to
reward yourself for serving your mistress, it is no concern of
mine. I dare say you have earned it.’
    Once outside
the house again, Florence discovered she was shaking. Whether with
distress or anger she had no notion. Vaguely she was aware of
Belinda’s voice, of footsteps beside her as she hastened down the
street, as if it were imperative to put space between herself and
the unseen spectre of the forlorn female who had worn the gown
carried in the basket.
    The pale rose
ruby, reposing in the inner pocket of her jacket, unfelt and hidden
as