Page 8 of Kiss a Rake at Midnight

Givenher thinness, it appeared she’d done that herself many times.

Toensure her siblings had food the next day while she worked?

Nowonder she had succumbed to the illness.

WhenFletcher summoned two female employees, asking them to bring a nightgown, he’d expected raised eyebrows and questions. The looks on Suzannah’s and Theresa’s faces, after he’d revealed Sean was a female and they needed to assist her in donning the nightgown, might’ve been comical if he weren’t so infuriated.

Aknock rattled the door, and Fletcher opened it three inches.

Chandleroffered a sympathetic upward sweep of his mouth.

Heunderstood Fletcher’s untenable position.

“MissKenney’s brother and sister have been shown to a chamber to share. They are frightened and are asking about her. The little girl is quite ill. I left Mrs. Dough with them.” Another partial smile kicked his mouth up on one side. “She’s quite in her element, tending the ragamuffins. She’s sent to the kitchen for hot chocolate and biscuits. I’ve ordered them baths.”

“Very good.” Fletcher nodded before glancing over his shoulder.

MissKenney remained perfectly still upon the bed as the doctor snapped his satchel closed.

“I want to wait here until she awakens,” Fletcher told Chandler. “She is gravely ill, but I still intend to know her name and, if possible, what her intentions were.”

Notthat he intended to play nursemaid as she recuperated, for he did not.

Hehad three businesses to oversee, and now this nefarious situation with Huxley to deal with.

Fletcherwould, however, post a guard outside MissKenney’s door.

Ifshe lied about her gender, what else had she lied about?

Hertrue reasons for wanting employment at De la Chance?

Wasthis the first time she’d acted on behalf of a Huxley?

No, he didn’t trust Miss whatever her first name Kenney was any farther than he could throw her.

“Very good, sir.” Chandler looked up and down the corridor. “I also spoke with your cousin about Huxley. He says he’ll look into the matter and call upon you tomorrow.”

ThankGod for Torrian.

“Excellent.” Fletcher pushed the door wide. “Dr. Philbourne, may I impose upon you to examine MissKenney’s siblings? Her sister is also unwell.”

“Certainly.” The stout physician paced into the hallway.

“I’ll show you the way, Doctor,” Chandler offered with an easy smile.

Asthey strode away, Fletcher berated himself mentally for his gullibility.

“I can feel your rage from here.” MissKenney’s croaky thread of a voice scarcely carried across the room.

Fletcherspun around.

Nomore than thirty seconds ago, she appeared fast asleep.

Hadshe been feigning?

Nothingabout her would surprise him.

“It’s radiating off you in scorching waves.” She regarded him warily but with admirable courage too.

Fletcherwinced inwardly as her voice cracked and faded with each painfully articulated word. He’d not let her see he felt sorry for her. In truth, he was furious with himself for feeling anything but disdain and ire.

Compassionand empathy had no place here—had no business tempering his anger.

Hekicked the door shut with a sharp bang, and she flinched.

Armscrossed and one leg raised with his heel planted on the wood, he leaned against the panel.

“I think I have reason to be angry, MissKenney. Or is it missus? IsKenney even your real surname?”