Free The Toplofty Lord Thorpe by Kasey Michaels

later,” the earl observed tightly, his light gray eyes warning her to hold her tongue.
    The occupants of the coach lapsed into silence then, each thinking his own thoughts, and Lucy was free to give Parker Rutherford a further inspection than the quick, dismissing survey she had given him upon first entering the coach in Portman Square. No more than a year or two older than Dexter, he had all the starch of a Cambridge dean, and only half thepersonality. Dex had told her earlier that he considered his distant cousin to be a dull dog, too prosy by half, and Lucy had no reason to doubt that assessment.
    Look at him sitting there, she thought to herself—acting like he’s been appointed my chaperon or something. It’s not as if I’m unescorted, even if Aunt Rachel is riding in our own coach with Deirdre.
    Deirdre. Lucy chuckled a bit to herself as she remembered what her maid—actually shared between her and her aunt—had said when that volatile Irish lass had first spied out Dexter on his hot-blooded stallion earlier that morning. “He’ll come to a stick end, that one,” Deirdre had commented, giving her carroty curls a flip.
    â€œDexter?” Lucy had questioned, looking at the man and seeing a smaller, paler, but still attractive replica of her beloved Julian. “I think he’s very handsome.
    â€œHummph,” the maid had sniffed. “Handsome is as handsome does, I say, and that one looks prime for trouble.”
    Lucy, who had great faith in Deirdre’s “feelings,” now wondered if her maid could be right. Although, as his immediate heir, Dexter was a prime suspect in any plot to discredit and imprison the earl, Lucy found it hard to believe Dexter capable of such deceit. Nevertheless, he would have to be watched, and she must be careful not to confide overmuch in him.
    That left Parker, whom Dexter did not dislike for any reason more reasonable than the fact that the manwas a dead bore. Lucy already knew from Lord Thorpe that he felt his cousin to be an exemplary employee: loyal, honest, endlessly supportive, and uncomplaining. Lucy, who was used to complete love and loyalty from all her servants, who were also her friends, could see no reason for applause in that statement. Of course the man was loyal—Lord Thorpe was his cousin, wasn’t he?
    Two suspects. Two, because—other than to think that Lord Thorpe had incriminated himself—there were only two people even in the running for the dubious honor of being Julian Rutherford’s adversary. Well, she thought resignedly, this line of thought will just have to wait until we get to Hillcrest and can examine any clues or evidence that may be waiting for us there. It is pointless to waste time looking for a bogeyman masquerading as either a witless heir or a lackluster personal secretary.
    It was just that it was so important that she be able to help Lord Thorpe—and the good Lord knew the man needed help. Just look at him, she told herself, sitting over there like a child whose candy has been taken away. Power and position have been his all, and he does not know how to behave now that he has been brought down to the level of his fellow mortals. How dare he insinuate that I behave like a child—why, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him putting his thumb in his mouth, just like a disappointed toddler. If Lady Cynthia could see him now she’d jilt him all over again.
    â€œLord Thorpe,” she said, breaking the silence,“you mustn’t look so downpin. Anyone would think you don’t believe we will soon have this whole scheme exposed and your good name restored.”
    His lordship’s upper lip curled into a sneer. “Why, Miss Gladwin, whatever do you mean? Do you really think I have no confidence in your ability to sleuth out the person or persons who have perpetrated this malicious bit of gossip? Oh, Miss Faint Heart, how could you imagine any such