Death Comes to London Read Free

years. The eldest son, Max, was a little more reticent than his sister, but perfectly amiable and more than willing to meet his new relatives.
    She’d never met her cousins before. After the death of their father, the rector and his brother had fallen out and visits between the two families had ceased. Lucy had never been given the exact details, only that it had to do with her father’s portion of the unentailed part of the estate. Communication was reestablished when the dowager countess died and Lucy insisted on writing a letter of condolence. That led to an exchange of letters resulting in the invitation for Anna to join the family and be chaperoned by the current countess.
    Eventually, Mrs. Hathaway caught Lucy’s eye and reluctantly stood up.
    “We will have to be going. We’ve left the horses standing for far too long as it is.” She turned to Anna. “Come and give me a hug, my dear.”
    Anna obliged and then made her way to Lucy. It was the first time in their lives that they would be apart.
    “Oh, Lucy . . .”
    She hugged Anna hard and then stood back with a decisive nod. “I will send you a note first thing tomorrow so that we can make plans. I’m quite certain you will be happy here.”
    Anna nodded, her eyes bright and her mouth trembling at the corners. “I wish—”
    “You will be fine.” Lucy blew her a kiss and started for the door before her sister noticed how close she was to tears herself. That would never do. Aunt Jane followed her out, tucking her hand into the crook of Lucy’s elbow.
    “We will take good care of her, I promise.”
    Lucy nodded and kept her gaze fixed on the stairs, which seemed to be blurring in front of her eyes.
    “And I meant it about you considering this your home, too.”
    “Thank you.”
    They reached the grand entranceway and Lucy followed Sophia out into the carriage and sat down, her face averted. As the horses moved off, a lace-edged handkerchief appeared under her nose. She took it gratefully and blew her nose.
    By the time they reached the far more modest street where the Hathaways had rented their town house, Lucy was able to tuck the handkerchief into her reticule and step out of the carriage with her usual air of assurance. She couldn’t forget that she’d come to London with a purpose. Now all she had to do was ensure that she was successful.

Chapter 2
    “M ajor Kurland!”
    Foley burst into Robert’s study without knocking, startling his employer, who was reading through one of the accounts books.
    “What?” Robert demanded. “This had better be important, Foley; you just made me forget the sheep tally in my head.”
    Foley proffered a silver salver on which lay a single letter with an elaborate seal. Robert picked up the letter and frowned. “Who’s it from?”
    “The Prince Regent!”
    “That’s extremely unlikely. Why would the prince be writing to a nonentity like me?” He perused the envelope, noting the Carlton House address and the scrawl of a regal signature franking the corner of the letter. Taking out his knife, he carefully slit the seal and smoothed out the single page concealed within. Eventually he raised his head to find Foley almost dancing with impatience in front of him.
    “I’ll be damned. It is from the Prince Regent—well, from his personal secretary, which is almost the same thing. Apparently the prince has heard of my heroism during the Battle of Waterloo and wishes to reward me for my service. Good Lord, I’m to be made a baronet.”
    “Oh, sir!” Foley clasped his hands together. “I’m so delighted for you. A hereditary title that can be passed down to your children!”
    “If I ever have any children.” Robert read the letter again. “I wonder if it’s possible to refuse such a thing?”
    “Major, you wouldn’t, you . . .”
    He sighed. “I don’t think it’s possible to say no. It seems as if I’m to proceed to London with all haste to meet the Prince Regent and receive his thanks in person.