Page 39 of Unmasking the Diamond
Mary shook her head. “No, Miss. I merely wanted to speak to you about what I overheard at the market this morning.”
Charlotte leaned forward, curiosity sharpening her focus. “Please continue.”
With a nervous glance over her shoulder, Mary stepped closer. “Lord Matthew is getting rather familiar with his daughter’s governess.”
Charlotte’s brows lifted. “That is rather bold. What of his wife?”
“Lady Matthew departed the townhouse a little over two weeks ago, and no one has heard from her,” Mary whispered. “The servants speculate that she went to the countryside.”
“No one knows for certain where she went?”
“It appears not. Worse still, the maid I spoke with said the master doesn’t appear concerned in the least. He is openly affectionate with the governess now.”
Charlotte drew in a sharp breath. Boldness, or sheer arrogance? Either way, it was shameful. She reached into the folds of her gown and withdrew a gold coin, pressing it discreetly into Mary’s hand. “Thank you for the information.”
The maid’s eyes widened as she clutched it. “Thank you, Miss.”
“How is your family?”
“They are mostly well, but my mother still suffers from her cough,” Mary revealed. “This coin will allow me to buy her medicine at the apothecary.”
“Do you require more money?” Charlotte asked at once, her heart tugging.
Mary lifted a hand. “No, you have already been far too generous. This is more than enough.”
“I wish I could do more.”
“You compensate us for the information we bring,” Mary said. “It is most advantageous for us.”
Charlotte nodded, though unease lingered. “If you hear anything more about Lord Matthew—or anything else of note—let me know immediately.”
“I will, Miss.” Mary curtsied and slipped away.
Charlotte sat back, her mind racing. Rumors of discord between Lord and Lady Matthew had been whispered for months, but now? For a wife to vanish and the husband to flaunt an affair with a servant—it was beyond scandalous. Where had Lady Matthew gone? She would have to dig deeper.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Malone stepped into the room. “Lord Luca has arrived, Miss. He is waiting in the drawing room.”
But even before the butler’s words had faded, Lord Luca appeared in the doorway, leaning with his usual insouciance. “I decided I did not want to wait there.”
Charlotte arched a brow, annoyance rising. “Do you have any decorum, my lord?”
He smirked. “I suppose I left it at the door.”
Pushing back her chair, she rose. “Fortunately for you, I am finished with breakfast.”
His eyes flicked to her plate. “You did not eat much. I can wait, if you would prefer.”
“I find I am not particularly hungry this morning.”
He studied her, his curiosity far too keen for her comfort. “Is everything all right?”
“It is,” she replied quickly. She didn’t need—or want—his show of concern. “Shall we depart for the carriage ride?”
He tsked. “Are you that eager to be alone with me?”
Charlotte exhaled a sigh of pure exasperation. “You are making me regret agreeing to this carriage ride.”
“If I recall,” he teased, “you practically forced my hand. Not that I blame you. I am quite the eligible bachelor.”
