An Unexpected Encounter ( Half Moon House, Novella 1) Read Online Free Page A

to teach Aurelia?”
    She thought a moment. “I play the pianoforte
passably well, sir. And my needlework skills are fine. I know
French and bit of German. I am well acquainted with history and
have an understanding of politics.” She straightened. “But I could
give her a thorough instruction on the running of a household. How
to oversee servants and keep accounts. How to manage a kitchen,
pantry and stillroom, set up a linen schedule, receive guests,
prepare for a party, and any number of duties a lady would need to
know when she takes over her own establishment.”
    Well. That answered a few questions—and
raised a few, too.
    He drew in a deep breath, glanced at Aurelia,
and let it out. “I’ve a house in Bedford Square. You’d have room
and board, of course, the salary that the agency agreed on, and
Sundays off. I’ll agree to give you a trial run at the position.
Should you like it?”
    He suspected it was unwise in the extreme to
hope she did.
    He glanced at Aurelia and hoped anyway.
    She stood silent a moment, then she met his
gaze in a direct fashion. “I should like it, my lord. But I must
warn you, I can only take the position on temporary status.”
    Aurelia smiled.
    Edmund worked not to.
    Miss Moreton threw her new charge a mock
glare. “I fear I hardly know what I’m getting into.”
    Edmund coughed. Those were his sentiments
exactly.
     
    Outside, Hestia Wright waited in her
carriage. From this point on Great Russell Street, between St.
George’s and the Dog and Duck, she could see the last visitors
making their way from the museum’s boxed entrance. There’d been no
sign, yet, of Miss Moreton or the young girl. She eyed the sinking
sun. Time, then, to intervene.
    But before she could signal her attendants, a
porter bowed out a last trio of visitors.
    “Now this is interesting.”
    Hestia narrowed her eyes and watched closely.
Only one of England’s noblemen sported such a magnificent physique.
Lord Cotwell, to be sure. She racked her brain for what she knew of
him. It was not much. A bit of a recluse, she recalled. Unmarried,
so the child was not likely to be his . . . unless she was a
by-blow, perhaps? She’d had the impression that he avoided females
in general, but perhaps he was just discreet.
    More fascinating by the moment.
    She studied the small group intently. No
discernible sign of fear, hostility or coercion, so she would not
interfere just yet. She rapped on the ceiling and leaned close to
address the footman who responded. “Time to go home, John, but tell
Tom Coachman to take his time.” She glanced over his shoulder and
recalled another bit of information. “And tell him I’d like to take
a slow turn about Bedford Square first.”
    Hestia leaned back in her seat so as not to
be seen, already making a mental list of those who could get her
the information she desired. She’d already put out feelers
regarding Miss Elisabeth Moreton. By morning, she would also have
discovered all there was to know regarding Lord Cotwell’s
household.
     

Chapter Three

    In any normal London townhouse, that set of
rooms would be a welcoming formal parlor, with perhaps a private
sitting room or study attached. In this house, however, the sliding
doors were kept closed. Loud clanking occasionally sounded from
within, but just now, as Lisbeth hurried Aurelia past and toward
the front door, a servant slipped out, accompanied by a blast of
heat, a billow of smoke and a great deal of urgent shouting.
    “Good heavens,” she said as they stepped out
into the wide streets of the square. Smoke was pouring from the
front window as well.
    “That’s his laboratory,” Aurelia told her.
They were heading out for a lengthy walk, with a basket of stale
rolls donated by the cook so that they could stop and feed the
ducks in the park. “The staff says when the pocket doors are
closed, you daren’t go in, or even knock. He hates to be
interrupted when he’s working.”
    “What is it he’s working on in