morning with two men. They never identified the men. Ursula was discovered a few hours later, and the authorities released Leo.”
Jocelyn found herself shaking her head. No, she couldn’t believe Leo was a murderer. “And the other murder?”
“I’m afraid the disappearance of the maid who worked at Castle Hartscombe is a mystery. No one knows what happened to her, but there is no doubt she was found at Merrivale. The village is awash with speculation.”
Not good. No wonder Leo was so insistent on her taking a footman with her during every outing. “Everyone suspects Leo.”
Mrs. Allenby patted her hand again. “I’m afraid so. Those of us who know Leo understand the accusations are nonsense, but unfortunately this doesn’t stop gossip. The best thing you can do is stand at his side, your head held high and smile.”
“I can do that.” After all, she’d had lots of practice at pretending everything was right in her world.
Once home, Leo and Jocelyn hurried inside to escape the chill of the evening air. Leo’s hand sat warmly on her hip, his arm curved around her waist as he escorted her up the stairs. At her chamber doorway, he paused, his arm slipping away. She missed his touch immediately.
“Why don’t you join me once you’re ready for bed?” His eyes glowed with banked lust, firing an answering call in her. Her breasts developed a sensual heaviness and desire tugged low in her quim.
Her tongue flicked out to moisten her lower lip as she stared up at him. “I’ll do that.”
“Good.” His fingers stroked across her cheek for an instant before he turned away. “I’ll see you soon.”
The firm click of a door closing broke the spell he’d cast with a few words and a mere touch. She blinked then reached for the door of her room with a flash of anticipation. How could anyone suspect this man was a murderer? She knew his cousin and trusted him implicitly. Leo had shown such kindness to her mother. No, she’d never believe the vicious gossip circulating the village.
She found Susan asleep in a chair, waiting for her return, and chagrin filled her. She hadn’t thought to tell her maid not to wait up for her.
“Susan.” She shook the girl gently, not wanting to scare her.
Two candles flickered on the dresser, highlighting the lack of cherubs. Although the room wasn’t yet to her taste, the removal of knickknacks and the pink curtains was a vast improvement. Mrs. Green had ordered the airing of some of the stored bed linens and promised they’d be ready the next day. Jocelyn nodded with approval, enjoying putting her stamp on the manor.
The girl was in a deep sleep, and she hated to wake her. “Susan.” Jocelyn spoke louder this time.
The maid’s eyes flew open. A sharp squeak escaped her before she came fully to her senses. “Mrs. Sherbourne? I’m so sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”
“Susan, you shouldn’t have waited up for me.”
“It’s my job, Mrs. Sherbourne.” Susan’s broad accent wrapped around her stiff, affronted words as she stood. “Would you like me to remove your gown and brush out your hair?”
“Yes, please,” Jocelyn said. Her maid acted as if she’d insulted her when all she’d wanted was to save her work. She stood still while Susan unfastened her garments and removed layers of silk. Jocelyn presented her back and Susan worked on her stays. Finally, Jocelyn stood in only her stockings and chemise.
“Take a seat, Mrs. Sherbourne.”
Meekly, Jocelyn sat and half an hour later, Susan finished with her hair.
“Would you like me to help you with your stockings?”
“No, thank you, Susan. That will be all for tonight. Good night.”
“Goodnight, Mrs. Sherbourne.”
When the door closed behind her maid, Jocelyn allowed herself a wry smile. Susan took her position seriously and was determined to do a good job. Jocelyn would need to quell her independent ways and become used to letting her maid do everything for her.
“Jocelyn?” Leo
Jocelyn found herself shaking her head. No, she couldn’t believe Leo was a murderer. “And the other murder?”
“I’m afraid the disappearance of the maid who worked at Castle Hartscombe is a mystery. No one knows what happened to her, but there is no doubt she was found at Merrivale. The village is awash with speculation.”
Not good. No wonder Leo was so insistent on her taking a footman with her during every outing. “Everyone suspects Leo.”
Mrs. Allenby patted her hand again. “I’m afraid so. Those of us who know Leo understand the accusations are nonsense, but unfortunately this doesn’t stop gossip. The best thing you can do is stand at his side, your head held high and smile.”
“I can do that.” After all, she’d had lots of practice at pretending everything was right in her world.
Once home, Leo and Jocelyn hurried inside to escape the chill of the evening air. Leo’s hand sat warmly on her hip, his arm curved around her waist as he escorted her up the stairs. At her chamber doorway, he paused, his arm slipping away. She missed his touch immediately.
“Why don’t you join me once you’re ready for bed?” His eyes glowed with banked lust, firing an answering call in her. Her breasts developed a sensual heaviness and desire tugged low in her quim.
Her tongue flicked out to moisten her lower lip as she stared up at him. “I’ll do that.”
“Good.” His fingers stroked across her cheek for an instant before he turned away. “I’ll see you soon.”
The firm click of a door closing broke the spell he’d cast with a few words and a mere touch. She blinked then reached for the door of her room with a flash of anticipation. How could anyone suspect this man was a murderer? She knew his cousin and trusted him implicitly. Leo had shown such kindness to her mother. No, she’d never believe the vicious gossip circulating the village.
She found Susan asleep in a chair, waiting for her return, and chagrin filled her. She hadn’t thought to tell her maid not to wait up for her.
“Susan.” She shook the girl gently, not wanting to scare her.
Two candles flickered on the dresser, highlighting the lack of cherubs. Although the room wasn’t yet to her taste, the removal of knickknacks and the pink curtains was a vast improvement. Mrs. Green had ordered the airing of some of the stored bed linens and promised they’d be ready the next day. Jocelyn nodded with approval, enjoying putting her stamp on the manor.
The girl was in a deep sleep, and she hated to wake her. “Susan.” Jocelyn spoke louder this time.
The maid’s eyes flew open. A sharp squeak escaped her before she came fully to her senses. “Mrs. Sherbourne? I’m so sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”
“Susan, you shouldn’t have waited up for me.”
“It’s my job, Mrs. Sherbourne.” Susan’s broad accent wrapped around her stiff, affronted words as she stood. “Would you like me to remove your gown and brush out your hair?”
“Yes, please,” Jocelyn said. Her maid acted as if she’d insulted her when all she’d wanted was to save her work. She stood still while Susan unfastened her garments and removed layers of silk. Jocelyn presented her back and Susan worked on her stays. Finally, Jocelyn stood in only her stockings and chemise.
“Take a seat, Mrs. Sherbourne.”
Meekly, Jocelyn sat and half an hour later, Susan finished with her hair.
“Would you like me to help you with your stockings?”
“No, thank you, Susan. That will be all for tonight. Good night.”
“Goodnight, Mrs. Sherbourne.”
When the door closed behind her maid, Jocelyn allowed herself a wry smile. Susan took her position seriously and was determined to do a good job. Jocelyn would need to quell her independent ways and become used to letting her maid do everything for her.
“Jocelyn?” Leo
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