Veiled in Blue Read Online Free PDF

Roses in the first flush of summer nodded their heads. The carefully tended bushes beyond surrounded a quaint bower with a seat made for courting.
    A murky painting with a carved oak frame hung above the fireplace, depicting a country scene not too far removed from the one he recalled from his journey yesterday. The picture must once have been fresh and bright, but it was now smudged with soot and general household dirt, the thick impasto ingrained. Several vaguely repulsive china figures adorned the mantel itself, and the corner of the room boasted a set of shelves with yet more ornaments. Shepherds and harlequins were the least egregious of the figures.
    Julius bowed, careful not to make it too elaborate.
    Miss Merton’s beauty struck him anew. Cleaned and neatly dressed, she was a star fallen amongst hogs—and he included himself in that description. Julius did not miss the warmth in her eyes before she lowered her gaze.
    “Mama, this was the gentleman who was kind enough to help me yesterday,” she said.
    “Oh, sir!” The older lady flicked her fan open. The sticks were worn, but she flourished it well. “I am so grateful to you. My foolish daughter might have lain on the road all night were it not for you!”
    What had Miss Merton said? What he had actually done was not something many mothers would approve of. He should probably have let her mount the horse and then walked by its side, but to hell with that.
    Mrs. Merton introduced the other people present. Sir Henry Fulworth was the larger man, and Mr. King smaller and more fashionably dressed. The two gentlemen on the sofa had to move up to give Julius room. He perched on the edge and refused the delicate dish of tea offered to him by the older lady.
    The gentleman next to him, who barely made concessions to admit Julius, and to be truthful, needed the space more than most, nodded civilly. “You are a stranger to Somerset, sir?”
    Julius considered his answer. “Not entirely. It is such a lovely country, though I wonder why I haven’t remained here longer.” He gave Sir Henry his sweetest smile. “I’m a man of business from London to visit Lord Ripley. Considering his wife’s confinement, I judged it best to come here instead of allowing matters to wait.”
    Sir Henry visibly relaxed. “I see. Then do you stay long?”
    “As long as his lordship needs me.”
    The man on the other end of the sofa, Mr. King, was watching the exchange carefully but taking no part in the conversation.
    “And you, sir?” Julius asked him.
    “Like you, I am not a native of Somerset, but I moved here last year. It suits me. I have a mind to stay for a while.”
    That told Julius precisely nothing. The hair on the back of his neck prickled in undefined warning. “You are from London?”
    “No, sir. I am from the north, originally. I am recently returned from Rome.”
    Julius’s thoughts came to a screaming halt. Rome meant far more than a distant city. It was where Maria Rubio had given birth to her children. But no, it could not be. Many people visited Rome. Nevertheless, he would write a letter to London as soon as he returned to the inn and set enquiries in train.
    Julius heaved a great sigh. “Rome is an enviable destination.”
    “It is above all things lovely. But I confess I am pleased to be home again.”
    While the men discussed local politics, Julius had a moment to address Miss Merton. “Have you fully recovered from your ordeal, ma’am?”
    She met his gaze directly, her rich brown eyes revealing warmth. “Indeed I have, sir. As I told you, I had merely wrenched my ankle. If I had thought to rest by the side of the road, I probably would have recovered, but I was anxious to get home.”
    “Quite rightly. You should not be roaming abroad after dark.”
    “Indeed, sir, we have a great deal to thank you for,” her mother put in. “I dread to think what might have happened to her had you not come along!”
    The sharp gaze of Mr. King flicked from Sir