Free The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Munro Page B

first chance I’ve had to leave the castle again. Besides, I have some knowledge of healing. I thought I could help.” She indicated the bag she held in her right hand.
    “What about your appointment with Lady Augusta? I thought she wished your help with entertaining the vicar.”
    “Lady Augusta is unwell and has taken to her bed. She asked me to send a footman with her regrets to the vicar and his wife and cancel their visit for today.” The woman stirred and chewed her bottom lip. He registered the gesture of nerves. When she glanced away, he continued to study her face, positive she wasn’t telling the truth.
    He scanned the surroundings, the cluster of squalid buildings and the unkempt villagers. Why would she struggle through the mud to soil her hands? She darted another look in his direction. Under his scrutiny, her expression remained guileless, but she was still chewing her lip. A sudden thought occurred. Did she know Hawk? Was that why she was acting so skittish? Although the woman hailed from Gloucestershire, it was possible they were acquainted. A sick sensation made his insides roil. Was she conspiring with the man? Or had the man gained her trust since her arrival at the castle under the guise of helping the villagers? Her soft heart was evident in her every action, from speaking kindly to the servants to rescuing that creature from the sea. Would her kindness extend to Hawk?
    His enemy.
    “Here comes Mary,” she said, turning back to him. “We intend to visit Mistress Baker. The cook told us to ask for her and gave us directions, but I fear we took a wrong turning.”
    “I will escort you,” Lucien found himself saying.
    “There’s no need.” Innocent blue eyes peered at him, soft and limpid as the Bacci fishponds.
    No, the idea of the English mouse in collusion with Hawk was ridiculous. With all that’d happened and his impatience to settle the matter, his imagination was working overtime, grasping at straws.
    “Judson, where does Mistress Baker live?”
    Judson scratched his head and sniffed. “In the street with the open drain. It’s the cottage with the good roof.”
    Lucien nodded, remembering the stench distinctly. The grain of mistrust blossomed into full-fledged suspicion when Rosalind opened her mouth again, probably to protest. Why would she refuse his offer of aid if she had nothing to hide?
    “This way.” He offered his arm. He didn’t intend to take no as an answer. “Judson, order the supplies we discussed. Tell the rest of the men we start work tomorrow.”
    “Aye, my lord.”
    Lucien nodded at Judson then turned to the woman. “Come.”
    Rosalind stood her ground. “I’m sure you are busy. Mary and I will find Mistress Baker.”
    Lucien’s first instinct was to not let her out of his sight, but she’d hardly lead him to Hawk if he hovered like a broody hen. He hesitated. Perhaps it was best to back off and watch from a distance. Give the woman enough space to incriminate herself…if she were truly guilty. Maybe it was his presence that disturbed her.
    “I will escort you to the door and return to the castle.” The look of relief on her face made him want to curse out loud. “This way.”
    She glanced at his arm and hesitated before resting her pale fingers on his coat sleeve so lightly he barely felt her touch.
    A soft gasp escaped her, a look of consternation flitting across her face before her lips tightened in an expression of pain. She refused to meet his gaze, but that shouldn’t have surprised him. Most people were uncomfortable gazing upon his ruined face.
    “What is it?” Every survival instinct he possessed jumped to full alert.
    “Nothing of import. Ah, Mary,” the woman said when her servant appeared. “Hastings knows the direction of the cottage we’re seeking.”
    Lucien intercepted the look that passed between the two women. Yes, they were both part of a deception. It made him even more determined to discover what they were hiding.
    “This