Lady Blue (31 page)

they held so dear in a very public world.

Translation: the riders were from Millswich; he wouldn’t like it when he learned who they were, but their visit was benign. He glanced at his wife, who was just beginning to learn their language. By her relaxed appearance, it seemed she had gotten the message as well.

“My love?” Anthony offered Harmony his arm. “Shall we go and greet our guests?”

Harmony actually looked forward to discovering what their “visitors” had come to say. Like her husband, she understood they were from Millswich and meant no harm. Would she find out at last what had happened to all the players in their little drama following their precipitous departure from the stage and the revelation of the characters behind the masks?

Simply walking to the salon was an exercise in enjoyment. Harmony let her gaze linger lovingly on all she saw on their journey through the massive entry toward their destination.

The cavernous foyer was a room unto itself. Much like an extremely large hotel, comfortable furnishings were centrally arranged to form several different and intimate seating areas. Numerous side tables were covered with antique collectibles and bric-a-brac from around the world, and hand-painted scenes of historical importance graced the ceiling twenty feet above them. Lambent light was cast over all from an enormous and magnificent crystal chandelier.

At the end of the foyer was a wide, red-carpeted stairway, split into two at the first landing. Along the perimeter of the grand hall were six huge arches, three on each side, leading to the music room, dining room, library, salon, ballroom, and grand salon. Bosworth, the butler, gestured to the salon then followed them into the room.

Although Harmony favored the colors in the grand salon, gold and pale blue, she appreciated the soft green tones and slightly more comfortable furniture in the salon. Her eye was drawn to a grouping in front of the carved stone fireplace and the tall, lean gentleman who rose to his feet when they entered the room. She thought the other two men who quickly followed suit looked vaguely familiar.

“My son, Anthony Allen, Lord of Bluefield, and his wife,” Lady Alice said graciously.

The tall man approached, hand outstretched.

“Anthony, my dear, may I introduce Clive Bishop, the new constable of Millswich?”

The two men shook hands.

“So,” Anthony began, coming right to the point. “You replaced Mr. Henry.”

“Indeed, I did,” Bishop promptly replied. “I took the liberty of coming here uninvited to deliver the news to you personally. I hope you will forgive me, your lordship.”

“I not only forgive you, I congratulate you, Bishop.”

“You are most kind. May I also tell you then, that Henry was not only dismissed in disgrace, but will be prosecuted?”

Harmony could not control the little hiss of breath that escaped her lips. She saw her mother-in-law smile and her husband pressed her fingers lightly.

“You have more news, I’m sure, and I would like to know who the other two gentlemen are,” Anthony said.

“Of course.” Bishop turned to gesture the men over, but they had already started on their way. Before they could reach the group, however, Harmony’s rigid composure dissolved into a bubbling fountain of giggles.

Lady Alice pressed a pale, slender hand to her lips to control her own mirth as she watched her son double over, nearly choking on his laughter. Bishop, totally perplexed, could only watch, slack jawed, until the hilarity had subsided.

“I … I’m so sorry,” Harmony was able to say once she had control of herself again. “But … but when I … when I saw the two of you limping, and I realized who you—”

Anthony erupted into fresh gales of laughter.

“Anthony, my dearest son,” his mother chided. “Won’t you and Harmony share what is apparently

your private joke?”

“It’s actually not a joke,” Harmony said at length on her husband’s behalf, sobering somewhat. “These two gentlemen were guards at the Millswich jail. When I helped Anthony escape, and in order to prevent his hanging, I … I shot them in the feet.”

Lady Alice briefly paled, but then high color tinged her cheeks. “You shot them?”

“She did, indeed,” Bishop put in. “And it is the other reason we are here.”

Harmony was instantly aware of Anthony’s tension.

“Well, what is it?” he nearly barked. “Go on, man, speak.”

“We are here to convey our deepest apologies, all of us, for the terrible, terrible troubles that were brought down upon you and your family, even and including the fact that Lady Bluefield was forced to fire on the officers. We are all fully aware that a gentleman in your position could most certainly have brought this entire affair to a legal conclusion, and—”

“Enough said,” Anthony interrupted, putting Bishop out of his misery. “There is only one thing I would like to know, if you are privy to the information.”

“Anything, my lord,” Bishop said quickly. “Anything.”

“I’m only guessing, of course,” Anthony continued, “but I believe Henry was put up to my arrest on false information provided by Angus and Margaret

Donnelly. Is that a fact?”

Bishop colored, an answer in itself, then drew a heavy breath. “You are certainly correct, your lordship. And although no legal remedies were possible, it may satisfy you to know that the Donnelly name has become so tainted with the resulting scandal of the event that they have been forced to move away.”

Harmony could wait no longer. “And my sister, Agatha Simmons? Have you any news of her? She was great friends with Lady Margaret.”

Bishop glanced at his feet then cleared his throat. “As far as anyone knows, she has become a recluse. I am sorry I do not have more detailed information.”

“That is quite enough. Thank you, Mr. Bishop.”

“Is there anything else you would like to ask as long as I’m here?” Bishop offered. “I’d like to help you in any way I can.”

“Actually, I do have a question,” Anthony replied briskly. “Was the
real
jewel thief ever apprehended?

“I’m so sorry,” Bishop said, pulling at his chin with long fingers. “I should have remembered to tell you immediately. Yes, he was. And he turned out to be your typical, common criminal, roving outside of London looking for easy money. He was arrested, put on trial, and now resides in one of London’s less than desirable residences.”

Anthony was forced to chuckle.

The interview ended shortly thereafter and the trio of lawmen was escorted back to the entrance by the butler. Once they had exited, Lady Alice embraced both her son and daughter-in-law.

“Well, another mystery solved, as your father used to say.”

Anthony guffawed and Harmony giggled. “At least now I know where you get it from,” she said around the bubble of another eruption of laughter.

“I shall see you at dinner, then, children,” Lady Alice said. “Have a lovely afternoon.”

“Good day, Mother,” Anthony replied, still grinning from ear to ear. As soon as Bosworth and Patrice retreated, he scooped Harmony in his arms and headed toward the stairs.

“Ah, yes, grandchildren,” Lady Alice said in a voice that carried across the vast hall. “My dearest wish.”

She finally left with the sound of her favorite music ringing in her ears.

Laughter.

Bound by fate. Bound by love. Bound by honor …

Honneure Mansart, orphaned child of a lowly servant, never dreamed that she would one day find herself at the glittering palace of Versailles as a servant to the young and lovely Marie Antoinette, future Queen of France. Nor could she have imagined the love of her life would turn out to be her beloved foster brother Phillipe, who also served the young princess. Their lives were golden.

But the young princess, Antoinette, has a mortal enemy in Madame du Barry, the aging king’s mistress. And Honneure has a rival for Phillipe, a servant in du Barry’s entourage. Together the women scheme to destroy both Antoinette and Honneure. Then Louis the XV dies, and his grandson inherits the throne. Marie Antoinette becomes the Queen of France.

Honneure and Phillipe, their lives inextricably entwined with those of the king and queen, find a second chance together. Yet as France’s political climate overheats, sadness and tragedy stalk both couples once again … tragedy, and a terrible secret that might lead Honneure to the guillotine in the footsteps of her queen.

ISBN#978-0-97-436391-2
US $6.99 / CDN $9.99
Available Now
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A PERFECT TEN!

“In my opinion,
BY HONOR BOUND
is a must-read for any romance fiction fan, and assuredly deserves the distinction of a Perfect 10. It’s just that good!” —
Romance Reviews Today

Coming in November 2010 by Helen A Rosburg:

ISBN# 978-1-60-542088-2
Trade Paperback/Motivational
US $15.95/CDN $17.95
NOVEMBER 2010

I KILLED MY HUSBAND, A TOWN HERO, and then called the police and turned myself in. “He’s dead as a doornail,” I said to the officer and then spit on Harland Jeffers’ bloody, dead body.

With my head held high, I allowed myself to be escorted to a squad car outside my house. A house which had been more of a prison than the cell I was headed for.

Cameras flashed.

“Why did you kill Harland?”

Because he needed killing. And I, Montana Ines Parsons-Jeffers did just that.

So begins the rest of what’s left of Montana’s life. Not that she ever really had one.

Now she’s headed for prison. There’s no escaping it. It was the ultimate destination in her Flight to Freedom.

But one man might be able to help …

ISBN# 978-1-93-383637-9
Trade Paperback
US $15.95 / CDN $17.95
Available Now
www.doloresjwilson.com