Karla Darcy - [Sweet Deception Regency 04] by The Scandalous Ward Page A

the woman's hysterical cries had echoed down the hall some time in the late morning. There followed a series of door slammings, high-pitched screaming and the bumping of trunks along the corridors as the ladies Cleavon stormed to their carriage. Although Jacko had not commented, his smug expression told Leslie that he too had not cared much for the Lady Cecily or her mother.
    Leslie dozed in exhaustion, waking at eight, refreshed as Jacko placed a tray of strong tea and sandwiches on the window seat. The two conspirators fortified themselves as they discussed the plans for their escape.
    "It's set for when the Duke is at dinner," Jacko announced.
    The sensation of falling, struck Leslie in the pit of her stomach, and her fingers clenched around the handle of the porcelain cup. Her face expressionless, she placed the cup on the tray, pressing her shoulder blades against the wall of the embrasure to stiffen her resolve.
    "I'm packed." She nodded toward the wardrobe.
    "We'll have to travel light," Jacko warned.
    "It's just one bag."
    "I'll take it when I go down. And your greatcoat. If you're seen in the halls, we want nothing to give your intentions away." The old man sipped sourly at the tea wishing it were good strong ale. At his age, he did not relish the idea of a ride through the night to an unknown destination. Something of his thoughts must have shown on his face for Leslie reached over in concern.
    "You do not need to come with me, Jacko. I would be fine." At the old man's scandalized expression, she smiled in part relief and part humor. "I know. 'What would the Captain say?'"
    "Exactly! I may not approve of this havey-cavey business, but I'll not be left out of the adventure," Jacko scoffed. "Besides, Manji stays."
    "What! He can't. Pax will skin him alive for helping us."
    "Manji says not. The Duke be a fair man, all things considered. At any rate I think it makes good sense. Once our absence is discovered, Manji thinks the Duke will come after us. Neither of us would excite much attention so we might slip through. But nobody would forget seeing Manji."
    Leslie's eyes filled with tears. The three of them had always been together. It augured ill for any army to split forces, and she felt a premonition of disaster shudder down her spine. Sniffing damply, she acknowledged the sense of the decision. Forlorn blue eyes met the concerned silvery ones, and Leslie nodded her acceptance.
    "Did you tell him---" she began.
    "He'll be joining us soon, Leslie. Never fear."
    They agreed on a time and a place to meet and then Jacko left, taking her belongings. Time crept by slowly as she waited for the dinner bells. So lost in thought was she that Leslie did not hear the scratching at the door and jumped as a voice broke through her consciousness.
    "May I come in?"
    "O---of course," Leslie stammered as Lady Titwiliver teetered on dainty red heels across the carpeting.
    Even in her agitation the girl was able to smile at the bizarre costume of the old lady. A caftan, violently patterned with figures of ungainly birds and one rather cross-eyed monkey, billowed out around the plump little figure. Her head was swathed in a top-heavy turban of bright red satin, surmounted by a single red feather, writhing like an angry cobra. Sparkling brown eyes took in the girl's awed expression, and Lady Titwiliver twirled for effect before, with a swoosh of silk, she sank down on the window seat.
    "My gratefully departed husband only approved of dun colored habits. I wear these in hopes that, wherever he is, he can see how much I'm enjoying myself." Nell patted the cushions beside her. "Come sit. I trust you're not angry with me."
    "No, milady," Leslie answered honestly. "It had to be done."
    "I knew your father quite well. His men held him in the highest esteem. He was a natural leader." The old woman thoughtfully watched the young girl's face brighten with pride. "That would not necessarily make him the perfect father for a girl."
    "Some might think