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As the past two correspondences have returned to me as having an invalid address, I only write this letter to inform you that I fully intend to notify the authorities. I believe something nefarious is afoot—perhaps even something criminal.

I presume the information regarding the child you brought to us six months ago is little more than a fairytale and is as fabricated as your name.

I intend to fully cooperate with the authorities and pray that any way I may have inadvertently contributed to your deceit is rectified when the truth is revealed.

~Mrs. Hester Shepherd, in a stern letter to John W. Smith

(Not his real name.)

Dovetonwick Court

Lady Edyth Kellinggrave’s bedchamber

Half past eight the next morning

Am I a prisoner?

Don’t be absurd.

Of course, Faith wasn’t. Prisoners didn’t stay in luxurious rooms and eat succulent meals. Still, she’d basically been forbidden to leave this bedchamber.

Why?

Standing before the window, she admired the intricate gardens below. Had she been permitted her freedom, she’d have spent the morning exploring the lush blossoms and intricate pathways.

Well, if her employer hadn’t required her services.

She stifled a sigh and forbid the scowl trying to form.

Surely someone would explain what was going on soon—why she had been asked not to leave Lady Edyth’s bedchamber.

Wouldn’t they?

Every instinct Faith possessed had urged her to refuse to accompany Lord Constantine.

And lose her position?

No. Faith had worked too hard and sacrificed too much to attain her dream.

“I’m certain you won’t have to remain tucked away here much longer, Miss Roth. I’ll try to determine the delay at breakfast this morning.”

Bestowing a bright smile, Lady Edyth skipped across the pink, yellow, and green floral Axminster carpet. She gave Faith’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

She really was a delight. As sweet and kind as she was pretty and unaffected.

A rare thing amongst the ton, particularly for a cosseted youngest daughter of a duke.

“I’ve enjoyed your company, Faith. I hope you will permit me to call you Faith, and of course, you must call me Edyth or Edie. Charlotte is so much older than I. You and I are closer in age. I am ever so curious to learn how you became Constantine’s scribe. I don’t mind sharing a chamber with you in the least.”

She produced another radiant smile.

The girl possessed a sunny disposition in addition to her chatty nature.

“I appreciate your benevolence, my lady.”

What else could Faith say?

She’d been shown to the girl’s private chamber and had remained here ever since. Faith had to admit it had been wise of Lady Edyth to ignore her brother’s suggestion that Faith use his bedchamber.