Yield Not To Misfortune (The Underwood Mysteries Book 5) Read Free Page B

Woodforde of any possible consequences, but in the end one can only protect people to a certain degree – after that they have to take their chances.  The fact is, the girl is here and whilst I would not have advised Mrs Woodforde to go looking for her, she does deserve to know the truth – what she does with the knowledge is entirely in her own hands.”
    He was right, of course, thought Sir George, damn it, he usually is! 
    Lydia had to be investigated for the sake of all who were embroiled in the tale.  He could not allow a fraud to be perpetrated now that he knew all the circumstances.  If the girl was an impostor she fully deserved to be exposed.  Should she be the real Lydia, but in thrall to a wicked, selfish man, then that also needed to be exposed.  Woodforde was obviously a contemptible wretch who would stoop to any depth to finance his appalling lifestyle.  Had he really faked his own death and made his child complicit in the lie merely to claim an inheritance to which he had no right?  If so, it lay with Sir George and Underwood to make sure that he never achieved his aims.
    Verity appeared at the door, “I’m ready for you, Sir George, if you and Underwood are done.”
    “We are, Madam, I shall be there directly.”
    Verity cocked an enquiring eyebrow at Underwood as Sir George passed her to leave the room. He shrugged elegantly, “You have your wish, my love. Lydia Woodforde shall be investigated and hopefully restored to her loving Mama’s arms.”
    She smiled delightedly, “I can always rely upon you, my sweet, to do the right thing.”
    When she had gone Underwood pondered her words. The right thing? He was still unsure if this was ‘the right thing’. He had the feeling that he might very well come to regret ever allowing himself to meet Mrs Woodforde and her ‘daughter’. There was something about the whole matter which troubled him and it was more than the money involved. He was sure, now that he had voiced the possibility, that Mr Woodforde was very much alive and was using his daughter and estranged wife for his own nefarious ends. Why he had such a conviction he had no idea, but as he thought about the circumstances of the prodigal’s return and the convenience of its timing, the more aware he was that he could be plunging himself into very deep and murky waters indeed.
     
    *

CHAPTER THREE
     
    “Vinculum Matrimonii” – The bond of matrimony
     
     
    Mrs Woodforde wore her years of sorrow on her face, with deep grooves across her forehead and by her mouth and her hair prematurely grey. Her eyes were pouched and held a depth of sadness which quite tore at Verity’s heart. The very obvious distress in which she had lived for so long made the younger woman determined to do all she could to alleviate it.
    They met for the first time in Hanbury Spa and Underwood was not present, having elected to stay at home and try and teach Horatia her letters whilst her mama took a well earned break from domesticity.
    The ladies sipped the waters and listened to the string quartet, playing softly as a background to the incessant chatter of the patrons, grateful that there was something to fill any awkward silences. Mrs Woodforde and Verity had never met before and the knowledge the younger woman had of her companion’s background made it almost impossible for her to speak naturally on any subject other than the sudden reappearance of a lost daughter.
    Fortunately Lady Hartley-Wells had no such inhibitions and chatted easily to both ladies in turn until they both began to relax.
    “Tell me about your husband, Mrs Underwood,” said Mrs Woodforde, once they were at ease with each other, “Serena tells me that I can safely leave my troubles in his hands, but I should like to know how you feel about him concerning himself with this matter.”
    “He is the kindest man, the most considerate. I can assure you that he will do his utmost to help you.”
    Lady Hartley-Wells held her tongue, though