Free A Second Chance for Murder by Ann Lacey

wondered what Mrs. Wrightway would have to say about that. It was going to be difficult to look at Cecilia knowing of her late-night escapade.
    Thora might not have had to look at Cecilia, but she did have to face Mr. Sandler Leedworthy. He was already in the breakfast room and was about to pick up his fork to eat when he spotted the two ladies.
    "Good morning, ladies,” he said cheerfully, rising from his chair.
    “Good morning, Mr. Leedworthy,” Floris said, returning the greeting merrily while Thora shot him a cold good-morning grunt.
    Breakfast was eggs, ham, sausages, a variety of fruit, and freshly bakes scones all laid out on a sideboard along with pots of coffee and tea. Hostess she was, Thora noticed that the marmalade was missing. After informing one of the servants of the oversight, she returned just in time to see Floris reaching for a plate. Before she could take one, Leedworthy politely asked if he might assist her. Taking a plate, he held it for her while she selected some eggs and ham and a small scone.
    How easily he plays the part of gentleman, the double-faced coin! Thora steamed.
    Concentrating more on Floris and Sandler Leedworthy, she picked up a plate and mechanically began serving herself, using more force than she was aware. The silver serving utensils clanked against the fine china plate as she chucked down scoops of food.
    “You must be famished, Lady Thora,” she heard a voice say from behind her.
    Turning, she found Viscount Radley Simon-North standing beside her, a broad grin on his face. At first she gave him a puzzled look while at the same time slapping down yet another spoonful of scrambled eggs onto the mountain already on her plate, then, following his amused eyes to the dish she held in her hand, she cried out, ‘Mercy! Whatever was I thinking? There’s enough food on it to feed the Queen’s Royal Guard.”
    “Perhaps we can share,” Viscount Simon-North suggested helpfully and with a seductive undertone. Taking her food-laden plate and two empty plates, one for himself and one for Thora, he escorted her to the table and set them down. Sliding out a chair for her, he waited until she was seated before he settled himself in a seat beside her. Then he picked up a spoon and doled out a portion of food for each of them.
    “You seem distracted this morning, Lady Thora. Did you not sleep well?” he asked, turning his golden head to her as a wayward strand of hair escaped from the others to fall forward across his forehead.
    Thora inwardly sighed, wondering how many women had been unable to resist the urge to brush that unruly lock from his handsome face. She found it hard to restrain her own fingers from the temptation.
    “I must confess that I was indeed a bit restless last night, my lord,” Thora told the Viscount. “So much so that I went down to the kitchen for a glass of milk,” she continued, noticing that Leedworthy’s head had suddenly perked up. “While returning to my room, I could have sworn I heard someone up and about in the hall last night.” Her words had the scholar glaring at her through his specs. Enjoying his discomfort, she continued. “I guess you could say I was a bit distracted wondering who was unable to sleep at that hour and wasn’t paying attention when I filled my plate.”
    “I can assure you it wasn’t me,” Viscount Simon-North commented firmly. “I tend to sleep soundly, especially after a few glasses of your brother’s excellent brandy. May I get you some tea?”
    “Yes, please,” Thora replied sweetly.
    As Simon-North returned to the sideboard for the tea, Thora noticed a relieved-looking Leedworthy turn back to Floris. Undoubtedly, he thought his pillow-sharing with Cecilia had gone undetected. It would serve him right to have her blurt out what she had seen last night. She had trouble containing herself, especially when she heard Leedworthy ask Floris if she would like to take a carriage ride later that afternoon.
    Thora watched