Lord Deverill's Secret Read Online Free Page B

took a hedge. There was a ditch beyond it. It was dark. He didn’t see it.”
    Cassandra sighed.
    “He had been drinking, I suppose.”
    Peter shrugged as if to say, Young men like to drink .
    “I found a letter, when I was going through Rupert’s things,” said Cassandra, rousing herself from her thoughts.
    “A letter?”
    Peter looked up innocently.
    “Yes. In it, Rupert said he had done something terrible,” said Cassandra.
    “He did?” Peter’s voice was bland. “Do you have any idea of what he meant?”
    “No.”
    “He didn’t explain in the letter?” asked Peter.
    “Unfortunately not. He never finished it. I found it folded up in his breeches pocket. I was hoping you could tell me what he meant.”
    “It was probably nothing. A bad bet,” said Peter. “He liked to gamble on the races, but it’s a tricky business, racing. It’s easy to lose a fortune. I should know. I’ve lost a few fortunes myself.”
    He gave an uneasy laugh.
    “Yes. Lord Deverill thought it must be something of the sort.”
    “You should listen to him. He knows what he’s talking about,” said Peter.
    “Do you know Lord Deverill well?” asked Cassandra on a sudden impulse.
    Peter hesitated. “We’re…acquainted,” he said.
    “He, too, was a friend of Rupert’s.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes. Or at least they knew each other. Perhaps theirs was only an acquaintance, too.”
    “Perhaps so.”
    He was not being very helpful and she felt that she had taken up enough of his time. He was probably longing for her to go so that he could ask some young lady to dance. Either that, or retire to the card-room, where he could spend the evening gambling.
    “As long as Mr. Goddard feels it was nothing important, then I think I can set my mind at rest,” said Cassandra. “He is not in town at the moment, Lord Deverill says. Do you know when he’ll be back?”
    “Soon. He’s never away for very long. I shouldn’t wonder if he was back by the end of the week.”
    “Do you know where he lives?” she persisted.
    Peter shook his head.
    “He moves about. He doesn’t have a house here—he can’t afford it. He gambled away his inheritance, so he has to take lodgings, but you can find him at the races. He always goes, whenever he’s in Brighton. It’s one of his favourite haunts.”
    “Then I must hope to speak to him there. Thank you, it was kind of you to speak to me.”
    “A plea sure,” he said, making her a bow.
    Cassandra returned to Maria and Harry. Now that her conversation with Peter was over she felt she could enjoy the ball. She felt her spirits lift. The room was colourful and the music lively. It was a long time since she had had so much fun.
    She was just hoping that Harry would ask her to dance with him again when Captain Wade came up to her, bringing Lord Deverill with him. He was dressed in restrained style, but his coat showed the mark of the best London tailoring.
    “May I say what plea sure it gave me to see two such fine dancers enjoying themselves at the Castle?” said Captain Wade genially, as he smiled at Cassandra and Harry. “The rooms were graced by your cotillion. It is always pleasing to see people enjoying themselves in such a manner.”
    Lord Deverill smiled at Captain Wade’s flowery speech, then set his face along more sober lines as Captain Wade turned towards him.
    “Lord Deverill, might I present Miss Paxton, and her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Winter?” he asked.
    We’ve already met , Cassandra was about to say, when she realized that it had not been a formal introduction, and that such an admission might provoke awkward questions.
    “Charmed,” said Lord Deverill, inclining his head. “Miss Paxton, would you do me the honour of dancing with me?”
    Cassandra agreed, then, ignoring Maria’s wide smile, she took Lord Deverill’s arm. As she did so, she felt a frisson of awareness travel through her, but before she could wonder what it was they had taken their places on the floor and