Top Highlights

• PREFACE My very dear readers, Since we met him as Letty’s groomsman in Not Like a Lady, Anthony has been an intriguing mystery. We knew, even as he left Roseford to undertake business for Sir Michael in London, that his story was far from over. We’ve seen his silent, wise work in The Countess Invention and What a Duchess Does. He is here, there, an...
• CHAPTER 1 I know who you are. It had hit him like a bullet. But in a way, he’d always been waiting for it. I know who you are. The clopping of horses’ hooves and rattling of wheels faded away. All he saw was golden countryside, and all he heard was the cry of the birds circling above the wagon, the wagon that had carried him away from home all thos...
• It was something about the way he looked as he did it, as if he was alone, not just in London, or even Britain, but perhaps on the entire earth. That was what made David say what he did. * * * “Mr. Hastings.” After Anthony had turned to walk away. Anthony paused. Mr. Castle said, “I’d never tell your secrets to anyone.” Anthony turned. Castle looke...
• CHAPTER 2 “Mr. Castle! It has been too long.” The Duchess, clearly bored without her usual waiting ladies, set aside her knitting. “No need to make polite assurances, Your Grace, especially when I owe you an apology. I said I’d look in on you often, and it’s been weeks.” Her Grace had not been suffering from his absence, of course. Carved and gilde...
• “I hope you don’t think I can talk him out of it, ma’am. For one thing, me? He does not like. And two—” David stopped. “He isn’t going to do anything but what he promised Lady Grantley, if he promised her something.” “Oh, I quite agree.” She didn’t seem to bear a grudge, further proof of her kindness, as David knew personally that Hastings had offe...