He made his way to Chichester Hall, where he was greeted with pleasure by his mother, who was there on a prolonged visit, and more guardedly by Celia, who made precious little attempt to hide the fact that she resented Riley. He took luncheon with his family before getting the chance to have a quiet word with Henry.
‘Your lady friend is leaving Chichester now, today,’ he said without preamble.
‘What! What have you done?’ Henry puffed out his chest and his cheeks simultaneously, putting Riley in mind of a bullfrog. ‘How dare you interfere!’
‘I dare because the silly chit thought you were going to leave Celia and marry her. Did you give her reason to suppose that was the case?’
‘Well…I suppose I complained about my lot occasionally. Pillow talk, don’t you know.’ He sent Riley a scathing look. ‘You probably don’t. You and your idyllic life, never setting a foot wrong and never being tempted. For us lesser mortals, it’s a different story but I wouldn’t have disgraced the family name.’
‘Oh, Henry!’ Riley threw back his head and sighed. ‘To say that you’ve been indiscreet would be a gross understatement. Don’t you recognise the woman who called herself Felicity Hopgood from somewhere else?’
Henry looked dumbfounded. ‘Should I?’
‘She was being trained by Adelaide at Mrs Sinclair’s establishment in Maiden Lane. Her name is Ruby.’
Henry’s mouth fell open. ‘Rubbish,’ he said, recovering quickly. ‘She’s from a respectable family in Hertfordshire. She told me so herself. Anyway, I only went to Mrs Sinclair once or twice with a party of friends. I didn’t know most of the girls.’
‘As I say, you’ve been indiscreet in your liaisons. She heard you’d been complaining about your domestic situation and decided she liked the idea of becoming a marchioness. I suspect that when you failed to oblige her she would have threatened to bleat about your activities in an effort to have you purchase her silence.’
‘I don’t believe it.’ Henry shook his head. ‘She wouldn’t do such a—’
‘I think you know very well not only that she would, but she was well on the way to succeeding. I don’t know how much cash has passed from you to her and I don’t want to know. That’s your business. Just think about your daughter and try to be a bit more circumspect in future.’ Riley turned to the door. ‘I shall see you again when you return to London.’
Riley took his leave of his family and made his way back to the railway station, passing the pottery shop on his way. As he knew would be the case, the blinds were closed and the sign on the door implied that the business had been terminated.
With a sigh of relief, Riley boarded his train, looking forward to the rest of the weekend without the distraction of unresolved murders and family disputes.
The End
About the Author
Hi, I do hope you enjoyed Death of a Milliner. If so, please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon. I’d love to hear what you thought of this particular novel – what you enjoyed most about it and what you didn’t like. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Reach me at [email protected]
I’m a British author, brought up on the Isle of Wight, but now live in Andorra. I share my life with my long-suffering husband and a rescued dog of indeterminate pedigree named Jake Bentley after the hero in one of my books. Both Jakes are handsome mongrels with independent spirits and wild streaks.
I’ve had over sixty books published, ranging from Regency romance, (my first love), to contemporary women’s fiction and marine crime mysteries.
When not writing I walk miles with my dog, make half-hearted visits to the gym, read other people’s tomes…oh, and I’m on a one woman mission to keep the wine trade profitable!
Check out all of my books, and learn more about me from my website: http:www.wendysoliman.com
Or on my Amazon author page author.to/wendys
Follow me on twitter @wendyswriter or on Facebook: Wendy Soliman - Author
Also available from this Author
Historical Romance
Stand Alone Regencies
Lady Hartley’s Inheritance
Duty’s Destiny
A Reason to Rebel
Forgotten Heiress
For Want of a Reputation
Christmas at Castleray
Ava’s Passion
Lady Mysterious
Disinherited
Divided Loyalties
A Scandalous Proposition
The Perfect Impostor
Lady Impetuous
Sacrificial Bride
Dangerous Dukes Series
To Defy a Duke
The Duke’s Legacy
A Duke by Default
Of Dukes and Deceptions
Game of Dukes
Dukes and Indiscretions
Never Dare a Duke
To Desire a Duke
Mrs. Darcy Entertains Series Boxset
Miss Bingley’s Revenge / Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma / Miss Darcy’s Passion / Kitty Bennet’s Despair / Lydia Wickham’s Journal
Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 1 – 3 Boxset
Emma Bingley’s Romantic Nature / Naomi Sanford’s Compassionate Nature / Bella Darcy’s Impetuous Nature
Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 4 – 6 Boxset
Eleanor Bingley’s Rebellious Nature / Rosie Turner’s Contrary Nature / Susie Darcy’s Tenacious Nature
Simon Bingley’s Resolve
Ducal Encounters Series 1
At the Duke’s Discretion
With the Duke’s Approval
Portrait of a Duke
For the Duke’s Pleasure
In the Duke’s Estimation
Captivating the Duke
Ducal Encounters Series 2
Reunited with the Duke
Christmas with the Duke
Representing the Duke
Safeguarding the Duke
Acting for the Duke
Emulating the Duke
Ducal Encounters Series 3
Conspiring with the Duke
Dedicated to the Duke
Impugning the Duke’s Honour
By Order of the Duke
Supporting the Duke
Protecting the Duke’s Interests
Ducal Encounters Series 4
As the Duke’s Agent
Masquerading with the Duke
On the Duke’s Authority
Beyond the Duke’s Domain
Carlton House Cartel
Chance
Amara
The Forsters
Compromising the Marquess
Beguiling the Barrister
Finessing the Contessa
Romancing the Runaway
Victorian Vigilante Series Boxset
Saving Grace / Heirs and Graces / With Good Grace / Fall From Grace / Social Graces / Elegance and Grace
Riley Rochester Investigates Series
Death of a Debutante
Death of a Courtesan
Death of a Prosecutor
Death of a Scoundrel
Death of an Artist
Death of a Recluse
Death of a Matriarch
Death of a Footman
Death of a Milliner
Perceptions Series
A Sense of Belonging
A Sense of Purpose
A Sense of Misgiving
A Sense of Injustice
A Sense of Turmoil
A Sense of Destiny
A Sense of Fate
Contemporary Titles
English Contemporary Romance Boxset: Reinventing Radleigh/ Shalimar/Silver Lining
English Contemporary Romance Boxset 2: Name of the Game / Downsizing / Topspin
The Hunter Files Boxset: Unfinished Business /
Risky Business/ Lethal Business
Investigates)
Death of a Milliner: Riley Rochester Investigates Book 9 (Riley ~Rochester Investigates) Page 26