9781618859594HerDeviantLordPimentel Read Free

come to say my piece, and then we will be on
our way.”
    Missus Miller
waved her arms with impatience as Cordelia climbed down the rickety steps of
the carriage and walked the gravel path to the main house. Today was the first
time she would witness the grandeur of Stoughton Hall.
    About to use the
knocker, the door opened before the iron clasp even touched the door. “Can I
help you?” the grey haired, brown-eyed butler asked.
    “I was hoping to
speak with the dowager duchess…err…I mean, Lady Thompson. That is, if she will
see me.”
    “May I tell her
who is calling?”
    “My name is, Mrs.
Wey…Cordelia Waite, the Duchess of Downsbury.”
    He glared at her
with suspicion. “Just a moment. Please wait here inside—there’s a seat just by
the alcove—while I see if she is taking visitors.”
    The marchioness’
voice carried into the foyer as she moved closer, “You must have it wrong,
Lewis. Cordelia has been dead for some time now. There must be a mistake…”
    The marchioness
stopped talking the moment she saw Cordelia. Her face paled, and she quickly
raised her hands to muffle a cry before swooning into the arms of the butler. A
maid walking by the front entrance screamed. Suddenly, all of the house
appeared.
    When Lord Thompson
came to his wife’s aid, he glanced at Cordelia and then back to his wife. About
to take the marchioness into his embrace, he looked at her again, only this
time, he registered who she was. “Your Grace, what are you doing here?”
    “I have come to
clear my—” Boom. The sound of thunder
crashed above them. Off behind her, she heard her son wailing as lightening
rippled through the sky. She looked back at the wagon as rain pelted it
mercilessly. “I have to go now, I cannot stay.”
    “Your Grace,
please, come in. Your servants are welcome as well. Just have the driver take
the coach over to the stable.”
    Cordelia waved to
Missus Miller. The old woman transferred the crying baby to Cordelia’s arms
before she ran off to tell Davy where to bring the cart around.
    The marquess ordered the butler and the maid to take his wife
to their room, stating he would be along shortly. Then, he addressed Cordelia.
“Your Grace, if you will follow me, you can warm up by the fire. Can we provide
the baby a dry blanket?”
    “You are most
kind, my lord.”
    He waved to
another maid, who left, only to reappear with a fresh gown and blanket. “Allow
me,” the young woman offered to take the now calm babe.
    “No, just leave
the items here, and I will tend to my son. Thank you.”
    The maid curtsied
and took her leave.
    As she undressed
Matthew and wrapped him in the dry clothing, she looked up at the marquess and frowned. “I truly meant no harm in my stopping
here, Lord Thompson. I know not of what horrid gossip has been spread, or what
my husband has been told. All I want is to let your wife know that I had no
relations with Henry, nor did I have any designs on him.”
    Cordelia rocked
her son to sleep while she continued, “The fact of the matter is, I have no
intentions of ever returning to Richard, but I am in need of your assistance. I
need to see Bastian right away. He is the only reason why I have travelled this
distance. The earl and I have much to discuss.”
    Lord Thompson
looked at the child and then back to her. “You should know that I do not blame
you in any way, however, I am not sure Isabel will say the same. Her life was
nearly ruined, and my sisters as well, by your husband. How do you think London
will react to learn that you are still alive?”
    “I care not for
what they think, because they will never learn of my return. Let me assure you,
Lord Thompson, once my business with Bastian is finished, I will happily return
to my humble life in the country with my son. The accident was providence’s way
of giving me a second chance at life. And while I had hoped it would have ended
differently, I have learned much these last few months.”
    The marquess frowned.