Lavender Lies (Historical Romance) Read Online Free Page B
Author: Constance O'Banyon
Tags: Fiction, adventure, Romance, Historical, Adult, Action, Mission, Temptation, 18th Century, enchanted, american revolution, Embrace, Deceased, englishman, Colonies, Patriotic, LAVENDER LIES, Jail Cell, Brother's Disgrace, Colonial Wench, Female Spy, Rendezvous, American Agent, Code Name, Swallow
Wilson's family was of English aristocracy.
"Do you have any notion why His Grace wanted to see us? And why in such secrecy? A man of his standing would not have come to the Colonies unless it was a matter of extreme importance. I will wager it has to do with his younger brother, Lord William Westfield. 1 know that the young man was an aide to General Clinton, and was sent back to England in disgrace, but 1 never quite understood why."
"It is not surprising that you have not heard all the details. The matter was hushed up at the highest level." Cleave Wilson took a sip of mulled wine and frowned at its poor quality. He set the tankard down and eyed his companion before continuing. "I mean the very highest level, if you know to whom I'm referring Are you aware that the Westfield family are second or third cousins of the royal family?"
"I had heard that."
"I was told that the king was most displeased about the whole affair and had young William Westfield drummed out of the guard. I believe he was banished to one of the duke's numerous country estates."
"As you know, I have but newly come to this godforsaken country and know little of what has occurred before my arrival. Are you privy to any of the particulars about young Westfield?" Colonel Grimsley asked with interest.
Wilson nodded his head and stared at the colonel, his eyes secretive. "Yes, somewhat. His trouble had something to do with the Swallow!"
Grimsley's face reddened, and he shook his head in disbelief. "You don't mean to tell me that His Grace's brother came up against that spy?"
Wilson looked uncomfortable for a moment, as if discussing the duke's brother disturbed him. "I have been sworn to secrecy, but I can tell you this much: young Westfield allowed secret documents that had been entrusted to him to fall into the hands of the Swallow."
"Good Lord, that would explain why His Grace wants to see us. We are both involved with trying to capture the Swallow. You have been asked by Parliament to look into the situation, while I have been assigned to investigate the matter on a military level. But if that is the case, what does His Grace hope to gain by talking to us? We have found out very little."
Wilson lit his clay pipe and watched the smoke circle his head. "I believe I can guess why he's here. Are you aware that the duke's brother killed himself?"
Colonel Grimsley stared at his companion in amazement. "I had heard that he was dead, but I wasn't told that he died by his own hand."
"Apparently he could not live with the disgrace he had brought upon the family name. I suppose the Duke of Mannington is here to find out all the details leading up to his brother's ignominy."
Colonel Grimsley nodded in agreement. "It galls me to know that the Swallow is making fools out of our men. I hope His Grace will put his energies and influence to work on this matter. Perhaps he will be instrumental in capturing this woman . . . if indeed she is a woman at all."
Cleave Wilson sipped his wine and then toyed with the glass. "Let's assume it is a woman. Who else but a woman could charm so many of our men and make buffoons of them? It is believed that the Swallow's list of conquests is far larger than we know. We suspect some of her victims are too ashamed to come forward and admit they have been tricked by her."
"Perhaps the duke will put an end to her tricks."
"Perhaps. I have met Julian Westfield at court on several occasions. He is arrogant as hell, but highly intelligent and respected. 1 can tell you one thing, I would not like to be on the receiving end of his anger. I have heard him referred to as the Meticulous Duke. He never makes allowances for unfinished business, especially when it pertains to his family's honor. It must be extremely distasteful for him, knowing a mere woman brought about his brother's downfall. He must have trouble accepting the fact that some will-o'-the-wisp outsmarted a Westfield."
"Tell me more about the duke, Cleave. What's he really
"Do you have any notion why His Grace wanted to see us? And why in such secrecy? A man of his standing would not have come to the Colonies unless it was a matter of extreme importance. I will wager it has to do with his younger brother, Lord William Westfield. 1 know that the young man was an aide to General Clinton, and was sent back to England in disgrace, but 1 never quite understood why."
"It is not surprising that you have not heard all the details. The matter was hushed up at the highest level." Cleave Wilson took a sip of mulled wine and frowned at its poor quality. He set the tankard down and eyed his companion before continuing. "I mean the very highest level, if you know to whom I'm referring Are you aware that the Westfield family are second or third cousins of the royal family?"
"I had heard that."
"I was told that the king was most displeased about the whole affair and had young William Westfield drummed out of the guard. I believe he was banished to one of the duke's numerous country estates."
"As you know, I have but newly come to this godforsaken country and know little of what has occurred before my arrival. Are you privy to any of the particulars about young Westfield?" Colonel Grimsley asked with interest.
Wilson nodded his head and stared at the colonel, his eyes secretive. "Yes, somewhat. His trouble had something to do with the Swallow!"
Grimsley's face reddened, and he shook his head in disbelief. "You don't mean to tell me that His Grace's brother came up against that spy?"
Wilson looked uncomfortable for a moment, as if discussing the duke's brother disturbed him. "I have been sworn to secrecy, but I can tell you this much: young Westfield allowed secret documents that had been entrusted to him to fall into the hands of the Swallow."
"Good Lord, that would explain why His Grace wants to see us. We are both involved with trying to capture the Swallow. You have been asked by Parliament to look into the situation, while I have been assigned to investigate the matter on a military level. But if that is the case, what does His Grace hope to gain by talking to us? We have found out very little."
Wilson lit his clay pipe and watched the smoke circle his head. "I believe I can guess why he's here. Are you aware that the duke's brother killed himself?"
Colonel Grimsley stared at his companion in amazement. "I had heard that he was dead, but I wasn't told that he died by his own hand."
"Apparently he could not live with the disgrace he had brought upon the family name. I suppose the Duke of Mannington is here to find out all the details leading up to his brother's ignominy."
Colonel Grimsley nodded in agreement. "It galls me to know that the Swallow is making fools out of our men. I hope His Grace will put his energies and influence to work on this matter. Perhaps he will be instrumental in capturing this woman . . . if indeed she is a woman at all."
Cleave Wilson sipped his wine and then toyed with the glass. "Let's assume it is a woman. Who else but a woman could charm so many of our men and make buffoons of them? It is believed that the Swallow's list of conquests is far larger than we know. We suspect some of her victims are too ashamed to come forward and admit they have been tricked by her."
"Perhaps the duke will put an end to her tricks."
"Perhaps. I have met Julian Westfield at court on several occasions. He is arrogant as hell, but highly intelligent and respected. 1 can tell you one thing, I would not like to be on the receiving end of his anger. I have heard him referred to as the Meticulous Duke. He never makes allowances for unfinished business, especially when it pertains to his family's honor. It must be extremely distasteful for him, knowing a mere woman brought about his brother's downfall. He must have trouble accepting the fact that some will-o'-the-wisp outsmarted a Westfield."
"Tell me more about the duke, Cleave. What's he really
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