The Paid Companion [antikvár]

PROLOGUE ARTHUR Arthur Lancaster, Earl of St. Merryn, was sitting in front of a crackling fire in his club, drinking a glass of excellent port and reading a newspaper, when he received word that his fiancée had eloped with another man. "I'm told young Burnley used a ladder to climb up to her window and assist Miss Juliana down to the carriage." Bennett Fleming lowered his short, sturdy frame into the chair across from Arthur and reached for the bottle of port. "They are headed north, by all accounts. No doubt making for Gretna Green. Juliana's father has just set out after them, but his coach is old and slow." A great hush fell upon the room. All talk stopped. No papers rustled; no glasses moved. It was almost midnight and the club was full. Every man in the vicinity appeared to be frozen in his chair as he strained mightily to eavesdrop on the conversation taking place in front of the fire. With a sigh, Arthur folded his newspaper, set it aside and took a swallow of his port. He looked toward the window where wind-driven rain beat furiously against the glass panes.