Crane frowned. Could have sworn there was a maid in that closet. Nice, full-bosomed gel. I remember thinking she would be well suited to a quick toss. I wonder if she" Edison paused, his hand on the doorknob. Good God, sir, are you about to tell me that one of the chambermaids refused your advances? How very amusing. I can only imagine what the others will say when you recount the events over port this evening." Crane flushed a dull, unsightly red. That's not what I meant. It's just that I was certain there was someone about" I can assure you that there was no evidence of anyone else around when I found you, Crane. I saw only the trunk on the floor. Shall I summon your valet for you?" Bloody hell," Crane muttered. Yes, please, by all means get Hodges in here. He will know what to do for my poor head. Devil take it, what an evil day this has been. I lost a hundred pounds at that race meeting and now this." I rather think," Edison said very softly, that you should be grateful you did not break your neck when you tripped and fell." Edison made his way back to Emma's bed chamber, careful not to allow himself to be seen on the spiral stairs. He knocked softly. The door was opened at once. For heaven's sake, get in here before someone comes along, sir." Amused by her sharp tone, Edison obeyed. Once inside, he turned to watch her lean out into the corridor to check the hall. When she was satisfied that no one had spotted him, she hastily shut the door and spun around to face him. Well, Mister Stokes? Did Crane believe your tale? Is he convinced that he tripped over a trunk?" Edison studied the chamber, absently inhaling the scent of herbal soap. It was the same fragrance he had savored last night in the close confines of the wardrobe. He was acutely conscious of the bed in the alcove.
He forced his attention back to the matter at hand. Whether or not Crane is convinced by the details I gave him, I cannot say. But he has no wish to admit t hat a lowly chambermaid might have rejected his advances or that she might have overpowered him in an attempt to escape. Regardless of what he believes, he will not contradict my version of events." Emma's brows arched above her gold spectacles. Very clever, sir. Polly and I shall both be eternally grateful." You were the heroine of the day, Miss Greyson, not me. I do not like to think of what would surely have occurred in that chamber if you had not intervened with the bed warmer." Emma shuddered. I am not the least bit sorry that I struck him so hard, you know. I cannot abide that man." I assure you that Crane will eventually pay for his actions." She looked startled. He will?" Edison inclined his head. I shall see to it. But these things take time to carry out properly." I don't understand." Have you not heard that revenge is a dish that is best served cold?" Her eyes widened. I do believe you mean that, sir." You may depend upon it." He crossed the small distance that separated them and came to a halt directly in front of her. I only wish, Miss Greyson, that I had been close at hand when you encountered Crane in that linen closet in Ralston Manor. My vengeance would have been very swift, indeed." I used a chamber pot on his head on that occasion." She grimaced. I did not succeed in striking him unconscious, only in dazing him. I must say, The Bastard has an extremely thick skull." He smiled. Are you saying that you, ah, managed to save yourself from Crane when he assaulted you at Ralston Manor?" He did not succeed in forcing himself on me, if that is what you are asking." She rubbed her arms briskly. But he did cause me to lose my position. When my employer opened the door of the linen closet, we were both still on the floor. It was an awkward scene, to say the least. Lady Ralston naturally blamed me." I see." He inclined his head. Allow me to tell you that you are an
extraordinary woman, Miss Greyson." Emma stopped rubbing her arms. She dropped her hands to her sides and gave him a
He forced his attention back to the matter at hand. Whether or not Crane is convinced by the details I gave him, I cannot say. But he has no wish to admit t hat a lowly chambermaid might have rejected his advances or that she might have overpowered him in an attempt to escape. Regardless of what he believes, he will not contradict my version of events." Emma's brows arched above her gold spectacles. Very clever, sir. Polly and I shall both be eternally grateful." You were the heroine of the day, Miss Greyson, not me. I do not like to think of what would surely have occurred in that chamber if you had not intervened with the bed warmer." Emma shuddered. I am not the least bit sorry that I struck him so hard, you know. I cannot abide that man." I assure you that Crane will eventually pay for his actions." She looked startled. He will?" Edison inclined his head. I shall see to it. But these things take time to carry out properly." I don't understand." Have you not heard that revenge is a dish that is best served cold?" Her eyes widened. I do believe you mean that, sir." You may depend upon it." He crossed the small distance that separated them and came to a halt directly in front of her. I only wish, Miss Greyson, that I had been close at hand when you encountered Crane in that linen closet in Ralston Manor. My vengeance would have been very swift, indeed." I used a chamber pot on his head on that occasion." She grimaced. I did not succeed in striking him unconscious, only in dazing him. I must say, The Bastard has an extremely thick skull." He smiled. Are you saying that you, ah, managed to save yourself from Crane when he assaulted you at Ralston Manor?" He did not succeed in forcing himself on me, if that is what you are asking." She rubbed her arms briskly. But he did cause me to lose my position. When my employer opened the door of the linen closet, we were both still on the floor. It was an awkward scene, to say the least. Lady Ralston naturally blamed me." I see." He inclined his head. Allow me to tell you that you are an
extraordinary woman, Miss Greyson." Emma stopped rubbing her arms. She dropped her hands to her sides and gave him a
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