The Sinister Spinster Read Online Free Page B

the Gentlemen, she thought, lifting out the letter and smiling at the familiar handwriting. They were every bit as reliable as the post when it came to delivering the mail, and a dashed sight faster. She set the box on the floor, taking time to reseal the sides before sitting down on her bed to read the latest missive from her papa.
    Dearest Daughter
,
          
Outrage upon outrage has been visited upon my adopted land. Only wait until I tell you of the foul crime our fine Army has committed against an innocent and unarmed populace . . .
    Elizabeth continued reading, her high spirits growing somber at what she read. From her father's last letter she'd known the war in America was going badly for the newly formed nation, but now it seemed matters were even more desperate than she'd believed. The letter listed a litany of atrocities and horrors committed by the British troops, and from the scratchy quality of the handwriting Elizabeth could tell her father was shaking with fury. He concluded the missive with the request Elizabeth had been expecting since he had announced his decision to move to America.
          
I know it was your mother's dying wish that you return to England, and I would never want you to act in a manner not in accordance with your conscience. But I must ask, Elizabeth, nay, I must insist that you leave a country which possesses so little in the way of honor, and join me here in Virginia. I am settled quite comfortably in Richmond, and cannow afford to keep you in some comfort and style. Join me, Elizabeth, but before you do, there is something I would ask of you . . .
    "Miss Mattingale? Miss Mattingale?"
    The timid knock on her door had Elizabeth biting back a shriek of alarm. She folded the letter quickly, tucking it underneath her spread before hurrying over to open the door. One of the maids stood there, her plain face breaking into a smile of relief when she saw Elizabeth.
    "Oh, good, miss, you're here. Her ladyship is calling for you. She's in a rare taking and asks that you come at once."
    "Very good, Ceila, thank you," Elizabeth managed a weak smile. "Only give me a moment to retrieve her lady-ship's bonnet, and I shall be right with you."
    "Not o'nother one!" the young maid exclaimed with a pert roll of her eyes. "Is it ugly as all the rest?"
    "Heavens no!" Elizabeth, equally pert, assured her. "It's even worse."
    Elizabeth found her employer in the front hallway, barking out a final set of orders and consulting her lists.
    "No, no, no, we cannot move the viscountess to the Red Room, Jerrell," she said to the unflappable individual who acted as her majordomo. "The woman has a dreadful fear of flowers, and the suite overlooks my rose gardens. We shall have to put her in the Chinese Suite, and hope to heavens she doesn't break something."
    She glanced up at Elizabeth's approach, her imperious features settling in a scowl.
    "And where have you been?" she demanded in impatient tones. "I have been calling for you for above an hour!"
    "My apologies, my lady, but I have only just returned from the village," Elizabeth said, swallowing her temper along with a considerable portion of her pride. "Is there some problem?"
    "I should say there is!" the countess exclaimed, herannoyance with Elizabeth giving way to a childlike excitement. "A messenger from London has brought word that we shall be expected to receive a member of the Russian nobility. One of the princes attending the Czar learned of our house party and has taken it into his head to join us. Can you imagine?" she added, preening with self-importance. "A Russian prince, in
our
home! I shall be the envy of all our friends when we return to London for the festivities."
    Elizabeth refrained from commenting on the other woman's unbecoming toadying. "Do you recall the prince's name?" she asked, frowning thoughtfully.
    "Something unpronounceable," her ladyship replied with an indifferent shrug. "Why do you ask?"
    "I was wondering if perhaps I