Beyond Rubies (Daughters of Sin Book 4) Read Free

with no future prospects other than the unremitting hard work that was already fast ruining her soft hands, for all that she slept every night with gloves on them, having lathered on a rich, ground almond oil concoction for which she’d paid a ridiculous amount at the village fair.
    But now her father was talking scandal with his cousin, Mr. Stephen Cranborne, and Kitty needed to arm herself with every bit of possible information that might give her an edge so that her future was not one of complete drudgery. She wasn’t sure exactly how she was going to achieve the lofty aims with which she’d been inspired by the gypsy fortune teller three years before. She’d not breathed a word to anyone, not even Lissa, but one thing she knew was that she was going to leave this sleepy village where everyone looked down at her, and make her name in the world.
    “At first, all suspicion centered on Sir Aubrey as the key player in the failed attempt on Lord Castlereagh’s life, but we have credible information that suggests Debenham was involved and attempted to make Sir Aubrey his scapegoat.” He cleared his throat, and Lord Partington muttered,“My own daughter has taken up with a traitor. Married him, in fact.”
    “I’m sorry, my Lord.” Stephen Cranborne sounded truly regretful. “I received the information from the Foreign Office. Debenham is being watched, together with a number of his close companions, Lord Silverton, Lord Smythe, and a lowly shoemaker known as Buzby.”
    “And how am I to receive Debenham? With suspicion or with the due regard it is only right I show my new son-in-law?” Kitty’s father clicked his tongue, and she craned her neck through the leaves in an attempt to glimpse his face. How exciting to be witnessing this moment.
    “We have no evidence so that will make your task easier,” Stephen Cranborne said. “The men deny knowing one another, but a skilful sketcher has provided irrefutable evidence of a meeting between the three several weeks ago.”
    “Indeed? And they could be recognized?”
    “The artist has rendered likenesses that are truly remarkable. I do not know who he is, but am informed he is now working for the government.” He exhaled on a sigh. “The fact Araminta is now married to Lord Debenham is a grave matter indeed.”
    Kitty heard her father groan, and peeked through the branches once more. She wanted very much to see up close the man Lissa told her was the heir apparent—in place of their own brother who’d had the misfortune to be born on the wrong side of the blanket. Cousin Stephen, she’d heard from Lissa, was very handsome. She’d heard more whispers than that, though. Kitty prided herself on being very clever at ferreting out information, even when everyone said she was too young and needed to be protected from life’s scandals. Young Stephen Cranborne was rumored to be engaged in a liaison. A very unsuitable and dangerous liaison though Kitty did not know with whom.
    Was he as dashing as Lissa had painted him? He must be if Araminta had wanted to marry him when he was heir—which was before her cousin Edgar had unexpectedly turned up on their doorstep to displace him, and then after Edgar had drowned while out boating with that aforementioned highly unsuitable houseguest, a certain Lady Julia Ledger. Sir Archie Ledger was, as could be expected, none too pleased to learn that his wife had been dragged out of a pond where she couldn’t seem to explain what she was doing with Lord Partington’s now late heir at such an hour.
    Ah yes, but the gossip of those who had too much leisure time was a constant source of interest to Kitty, who liked to transport herself to another world whenever possible since her own life was so dull and constrained.
    Leaning perilously low to catch a view of Cousin Stephen, Kitty was gratified by what she saw. He was a handsome young man. His thick, dark-blond hair framed a striking face with a strong nose and sensitive mouth. Kitty