Sherlock Holmes meets Pride and Prejudice in this bewitching and scintillating romance between an eccentric gypsy detective and a young spinster governess.
Harriet Morgan, a shy, nurturing young woman, watches the finishing school she has seen as he...
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Harriet watched him leave in a fluid movement, not even ballerinas were as graceful with their limbs as he was. Esma came to her and lightly touched her shoulder.
"You should get some rest. I'll escort you to bed."
Harriet didn't move and stared at the jarred door where Nicu had just left. "He knows who it is, doesn't he?"
Clicking her tongue, Esma turned her attention to her husband and St. George who both wore stern faces, not knowing if they should answer. Esma sighed and spoke honestly. "Most likely."
The door called to Harriet and something dark was hovering around her. The hairs on her neck pricked and she stiffened, raising herself off the chair. "He could be wrong... he was wrong about me."
Lord Rathborne shook his head. "No, he's never wrong twice. Whoever it is, he's going to them now."
The fire's gentle purring filled the room and Harriet, feeling fatigued, decided to retire. Esma went to help her as the men stood, but Harriet waved her off gracefully. "It's fine, my lady, if you would just ring Claire... for... me."
Harriet whispered the last words and her eyes widened, knowing who exactly Nicu Rowe was talking to. Claire had been her lady's maid since she first started attending Fulton's Girl's School, but even with Claire's loyalty to her throughout the years, suspicion and revelation climbed up Harriet's back like a serpent.
Shaking her thoughts away, Harriet gave a strained smile. No one seemed to notice her tension and Esma gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll get her for you."
It made sense that it would be Claire. She was the only one with access to Harriet's letter opener. Harriet left the study and went to the west wing of the grand estate. She knew the other girls well and knew none of them were capable of such betrayal, but Claire... she didn't know much about the servant, which made Harriet chide herself.
When she entered her room Claire was already there, waiting patiently. "Miss Morgan, how are you fairing?"
It took Harriet only a moment to put on a cool façade. "My ankle hurts and I'm very tired."
The maid gave a friendly, understanding smile. Harriet found herself wishing she had Detective Rowe's ability to see through everything.
"Would yew like a bath prepared?"
Harriet shook her head. "No thank you Claire, only to get ready for bed and sleep."
Getting to work, Claire stripped Harriet's clothing off and put her in a new fresh chemise. "It's mighty nice ov 'er ladyship to lend yew girls 'er things."
"Yes, it is," Harriet responded and sat at the stool in front of the mirror as Claire unpinned her hair and let it fall down her back to her waist. "How have you been, Claire?"
"As good as one can."
"How is it getting accustomed to the way things are done here?"
Claire smiled. "It's different, but well run. I fought I'd be out and searchin' 'or a new job but 'er ladyship said I could be ov some use 'ere with yew girls and maybe even avter. Such a nice woman, almost as nice as yew miss."
