Page 37 of Forsaken Secrets

"You, Miss Maderoth. Wait. Please?" Lord Ellingsworth's deep voice interrupted my steps, and I twisted to face him. He cast a look behind me towards the dress shop and his pale blue eyes looked sad as Aunt Grace went inside.

There was something between him and Aunt Grace, but anytime I asked, she just said it was ancient history.

"I heard that my wife saw you yesterday?"

Swallowing hard, I nodded. What had she told him? His eyes crinkled at the edges, and he smiled softly at me.

"Well, this should stay between the two of us, but if you wanted to warn your aunt that my lovely wife will be by for a visit tomorrow, it would not be amiss."

I gaped.

"And tell her … I'm sorry. I wish I could do more, but … well, she knows how it is."

I nodded. "The estate or the shop?"

His lips twisted in distaste as he looked back at the shop. "The estate."

Of course he chose the estate. The shop was just another reminder that he'd abandoned us after Uncle Calix died and we'd been forced to take up commerce as a result. Gasp … the horror.

I dipped into a curtsey, though. "Certainly. We'll prepare."

He nodded and strode off, casting one last look at the shop.

I stared after him, dread like lead in my belly.

Aunt Grace would not be happy.

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