The Sweetest Secret Read online

  He patted his mid-section. “I didn’t think I was that sick either, until I dressed fully this morning and realized my clothes didn’t quite fit. Perhaps I should get sick like this more often.” He ran his hands up and down his middle. “I believe I can feel my ribs.”

  “Oh, Mr. Woodland.” Miss Talbot blushed. “You are just horrible! Feeling your ribs is not a good thing. You need to come to the house soon so that I can fatten you up with some of my food.”

  “I thank you, Miss Talbot. Mrs. Smythe. Taking in a meal with you does sound welcoming. Now, don’t let me keep you from your walk. I was just heading to the church.”

  “Have a pleasant time.” Miss Talbot’s blush deepened as her gaze skipped around him, not meeting his eyes.

  Nic held in a laugh. The first time since he’d met Miss Talbot, he could tell she had deep feelings for Frederick. For some reason, his cousin had never seen it. Or was it perhaps that Miss Talbot hadn’t shown his cousin the proper signs that she was truly interested.

  Women were so fickle...so unpredictable. Perhaps Frederick was wise to keep his distance. Females could certainly make a man lose his mind. Being a rogue, Nic had seen all types of ladies. One minute they were shooting daggers with their heated eyes, and the next minute they melted in his arms, participating fully in a passionate kiss, only to change and once again become a chameleon that spouted hateful words. Was it any wonder he avoided marriage like the plague?

  Suddenly, a face reappeared in his head—one that he still thought about from time to time.

  Tabitha Paget.

  When he first met her, he was captivated by her beauty. Her enchanting eyes lured him to her side. There was a mystery surrounding her, and heaven help him, Nic couldn’t stop probing into her life until he discovered why she intrigued him so.

  It was his own fault he couldn’t stop thinking about her. As hard as he’d tried to forget her, he couldn’t. Some nights he’d dream of her, and although they’d ended their association with her in a terrible way, she was always on his mind. It bothered him that he was never able to apologize for accusing her of murder.

  Taking in a deep breath, he tried to clear his head as he strolled toward the church and up the walkway. The closer he came, he slowed his steps and looked upward. God wouldn’t strike him down for entering the church dressed like a clergyman, would he?

  Gulping, Nic reached for the front door. The steel from the knob was cold against his palm, but the energy running rapid through his body would turn the handle warm very quickly, he was sure.

  God forgive me, for I have sinned… Yet, in this case of switching identities, he needed to help his cousin. God would forgive him. He hoped.

  * * * *

  Tabitha Paget nearly hugged the side of the coach as she watched out of the window as the driver brought the conveyance into the small township in North Devon. She had arrived earlier than planned. Eagerness built inside her, ready to burst her chest at any moment. She would finally get to see her great aunt, Clara Burls, after all these years. The last time she had seen her mother’s aunt, Tabitha had been seven years old. She knew she couldn’t let another year go by without seeing the old woman. After all, the lady was eighty-years-old today. She wasn’t getting any younger.

  Aunt Clara had married well, and she was left a large sum of money when her husband died. Aunt Clara hired a companion—a widow woman she’d become friends with over the years whose husband hadn’t had much money. Clara also took on a couple of servants to help around the house. Mainly, the elderly woman didn’t overspend, and she tried not to act like she was one of the wealthiest women in the township.

  Clara knew Tabitha was coming today. However, her relative didn’t know of the latest events in Tabitha’s life. She had met her brothers and confessed to being their father’s illegitimate child. That was one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do, and although she’d expected it to end terribly, it hadn’t. In fact, her brothers welcomed her into their family with opened arms.

  She wasn’t ready to be part of their family. She’d been a servant most of her life—a life that hadn’t been very kind to her. Once the truth had come out, she’d asked her brothers not to say anything, which she was certain they hadn’t. However, being seen with them regularly, and becoming close friends with their wives, made the gossipmongers talk. Apparently, Tabitha looked a lot like two of her brothers, Trevor and Trey. She was certain that the ton could recognize the similarities as well.

  The Worthington men were the kindest people she’d ever met. They had insisted on giving her an allowance. Because of their generosity, she didn’t have to live like a servant. In fact, now she had her own maid. It was still a little difficult to comprehend and get accustomed to. But with her living in that kind of lifestyle around the ton, she worried that people might get suspicious. She couldn’t have that.

  A few weeks ago, she realized she needed to get away from it all. She needed to be somewhere that nobody knew her, or her scandalous father. Thankfully, she and Aunt Clara had kept in touch over the years, so when Tabitha had received a letter from her aunt, she’d known immediately that this was where she could relax and let the gossip die down.

  The coach stopped and the driver and guard had opened the door to help the passengers out. She clutched her traveling dress with gloved hands and carefully stepped out of the coach. The wind blew against her face, feeling as if it had swept from right off the ocean and pushed the current right against her. Shivering, she bundled her fur cloak closer to her neck as she glanced at the nearby buildings.

  From behind her, she heard her maid conversing with the driver, instructing him of which trunk to collect for Tabitha. She turned toward the coach and watched as the two men carefully handed down her trunk.

  Tabitha stepped beside it, bent, and clutched a handle. Her maid grasped the other side. “Well, Sally? Are you ready to embark on our new adventure here in North Devon?”

  Sally grinned and nodded. “I’m very excited to be here. I’ve never really traveled.”

  “Neither have I. Indeed it will be enjoyable to be away from the busy social life that my brothers live.”

  “I agree.” Sally stuffed a loose blonde curl back in her bonnet. “I just hope it’s not windy like this every day.”

  Chuckling, Tabitha nodded. “I hope not, too. Although I’m certain it won’t take us long to get used to this weather.” Tabitha moved her gaze toward the rolling green hills, then across to the ocean. “It’s so beautiful, don’t you think?”

  “It is. I would enjoy it very much if we walked every day down toward the beach.”

  “I was thinking the same thing.” Tabitha smiled. “Well, let’s be on our way. My great aunt is expecting us, even if we did arrive earlier than expected.”

  Thankfully, the trunk wasn’t very heavy. Then again, she was used to hard labor. Both Tabitha and Sally were since they had been maids to one of the most abusive lords in the realm. It seemed like years ago, but it wasn’t that long ago when her friend Diana Hollingsworth—now Diana Worthington—had helped Tabitha and Sally escape their hellish torture. There wasn’t a finer woman in England than Diana. Tabitha hadn’t known anybody with a bigger heart.

  There weren’t many shops in this small township, which surprised Tabitha. For some reason, she’d thought it would be larger. It probably was,she just hadn’t seen everything. There were a few dress shops and a general store, and even some blacksmith shops. And up on a hillside sat a beautiful church with a cross on the steeple.

  It didn’t take her long before she spotted her great aunt’s cottage on the edge of town. Aunt Clara had described where she lived in her last letter, and Tabitha realized her aunt had described everything so perfectly, right down to the last tree and rosebush.

  The two story white house was trimmed in a dark brown color. Two large trees stood in the front yard, shading the house. A white-picket fence outlined the grass and walkway. Truly, this was a modest house, considering Tabitha knew her aun
t could afford a much bigger place.

  She quickened her step, as did Sally, until they stood in front of the door. Tabitha knocked as her heart pounded with excitement. The door was opened, and a middle-aged woman greeted them with a smile.

  “Good day,” Tabitha said. “I’m Miss Paget, Clara Burls’ great niece. She is expecting me.”

  The woman’s face lit up with a bright smile, making the freckles pop out on her thin face more. “Oh, it’s so good to meet you. I’m Mrs. Burls’ companion, Mrs. Stiles. Please come in.”

  The older woman ushered Tabitha and Sally inside. She waved her hands excitedly as her eyes sparked with gladness.

  “Clara has been talking nonstop about her great niece. She is going to be so relieved you are here. But she is resting, and I don’t dare disturb her.”

  “Oh, no.” Tabitha touched Mrs. Stiles’ arm. “Let her rest. She’ll have a grand evening tonight, and she needs her strength for that.”

  “Indeed, she does.” Mrs. Stiles grasped one end of the trunk. “Let me help you with this.”

  “No, don’t even think of it.” Tabitha stopped her. “Sally and I can handle carrying it.”

  “Fine.” Mrs. Stiles stood then blew the lock of black hair away from her face. “Then follow me and I’ll show you to your room. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the party we have planned for tonight’s event,” the older woman chattered on as she led the way.

  Slowly, a smile tugged on Tabitha’s mouth and she couldn’t help but chuckle to herself. Mrs. Stiles acted like she hadn’t had anyone to talk with for ages. Tabitha sincerely hoped her great aunt wasn’t so old that she couldn’t keep her companion entertained.

  They entered a room and she set the trunk on the floor.

  Mrs. Stiles swept her hand around the spacious room. “I hope this suits you.”

  “It’s perfect, thank you.” Tabitha nodded.

  Indeed, the room was perfect. As a maid, she’d always been used to small rooms, until her brothers moved her to a townhouse all of her own. Although this particular room wasn’t quite as large as the one in her townhouse, it was certainly decorated better. The colors were lighter; pinks and lavender colors blended with daffodil yellow. The window was large with a white curtain pulled back, bringing in the sunshine.

  For certain, this room would cheer her up immensely.

  “I pray you and your maid will stay here for a while,” Mrs. Stiles continued. “Clara is very happy to talk to you again. She can’t wait to introduce you to all of her friends at the party tonight.” The older woman stepped closer to Tabitha, and grinned as she wagged her eyebrows. “And don’t be surprised if your aunt tries to find you a man. You know, that’s what women do when we get older. We want to see you lovely young ladies find a good man to marry.”

  Immediately, Tabitha’s excitement dropped. She’d honestly hoped her aunt wouldn’t do something as foolish as finding a husband for her. Tabitha wasn’t ready for a relationship. Too much had happened in her life lately that made her fearful of men. She couldn’t trust them. It had taken her a while to trust her brothers. But they were different. They were extraordinary. She highly doubted there would be any other man as kind and forgiving.

  Somehow, some way, she must convince Aunt Clara to give up the notion of finding Tabitha a husband. Plain and simple, there just weren’t any men out there with the qualities she wanted and needed to heal her shattered life.

  Chapter Two

  The day couldn’t have been better.

  Dominic added a little of the white powder to his hair, doing the finishing touches on his disguise for Mrs. Burls’ party tonight. Once he finished, he took a step back from the full-length mirror and smiled in satisfaction. Everyone who he’d come in contact with today had thought he was Frederick. Most of them were surprised to see he’d been ill enough to lose some weight, but no one seemed suspicious. That was exactly what Frederick had wanted to happen.

  A couple hours ago while Nic was at the church, Frederick had snuck into the office and they privately discussed the inventory still inside the house of the Lord. It relieved Nic that God hadn’t struck him down when he entered the holy church, so he got busy and made a list of all that was in the storage room. From his cousin’s calculations, nothing had been taken since the thief had struck two weeks ago—just before Nic and Frederick decided to switch identities. This time, the thief came during the middle of the night, stealing a statue of the Mother Mary, and some gold candlesticks.

  Frederick, a kind and forgiving man of God, didn’t believe anyone in his parish would steal from the church. Then again, Nic’s cousin had really only known these people for about a year. After Nic had gone into hiding while growing a beard, he made a list of some of the men he suspected could have done the deed. When Nic presented the names to his cousin, Frederick laughed and explained why these men would not steal. Nevertheless, Nic wouldn’t take them off his list of suspects yet.

  A knock came upon the bedroom door. Nic pulled away from the full length mirror and turned toward the door. “Enter.”

  Frederick walked in, holding a small box that had been wrapped. “Give this to Mrs. Burls. It’s my gift to her.”

  Nic took the package and nodded. “What did you get her?”

  “I purchased a musical jewelry box for her a few months past while we were visiting Devonshire. The song playing in the box is her favorite. I know she’ll be very happy with this.”

  “I’m certain she will be.” Nic set the gift on the table next to the washbasin, picked up his coat and shrugged into it. “Is there anything special I need to do at this party tonight?”

  “Not really. Just mingle and mention how much God loves them.” He shrugged. “That’s what I do, anyway.”

  Nic arched an eyebrow. “So I’m assuming there won’t be any liquor at this party?”

  Frederick rolled his eyes. “Hawthorne, my good man, you are a man of the cloth now. Please remember that. Also keep in mind that drinking is something I would never do.”

  “I know, I know.” Nic set the hat on his head before grabbing his walking stick.

  “And even if there is liquor at this party,” Frederick added, “you will not take a drink. Is that clear?”

  Chuckling, Nic walked past his cousin as he headed out of the room. “Very clear. I know my character, and I’ll act accordingly.”

  Frederick followed Nic down the stairs toward the front door. “Well, you had better keep in the clergyman character. The last thing I need is for you to give an eighty-year-old woman heart palpitations because she sees a man of God becoming intoxicated.”

  “Little do you know, dear cousin,” Nic opened the door and stepped outside, “that I rarely drink enough to become foxed.” He bowed. “Have a pleasant evening as I shall try to have.”

  Although Nic couldn’t see Frederick, he knew his cousin was watching him stroll down the street toward the end of town. Knowing his cousin, Nic figured Frederick would have his arms crossed and a wary gleam in his gaze as he watched Nic head out.

  Whistling a tune, he tried to cheer himself up before reaching the old woman’s home. When Nic had arrived in North Devon, he looked forward to the peace and quiet that the country life would bring. The social scene in Mayfair and York had kept him busy, but not as busy as his friends, Trey, Trevor, and Tristan Worthington, especially when Tristan was suspected of murdering the man who had married the woman Tristan had given his heart to. Nic shook his head. What a fiasco.

  Thankfully, all of that was in the past, and each brother had found the love of their lives and was happy.

  But, now that all the problems were behind him, his life had suddenly become boring. Being here with his cousin certainly didn’t help his boredom. With any luck, they would find the thief quickly so Nic could be on his way back home. He honestly didn’t know how Frederick could stand this country life. It was nice for a little while, but now Nic was ready to return home.

  It didn’t take him long to reach Mrs. Bu
rls’ house. A few guests had already arrived, but he had chatted with most of them this morning during his walk, and didn’t know what else to say.

  For being a woman of eighty years, Mrs. Burls was still strikingly elegant. True, her face was heavily creased with wrinkles, and her hair was as white as snow, but Nic had to admit when he first met her four months ago, he could see how very generous and kind-hearted she was. She had an infectious smile, and when she laughed, the musical tilt to her voice made everyone happy.

  Mrs. Burls met his gaze from across the room and she motioned her hand for him to come closer. Keeping the grin on his face, he strolled toward her. The others around her parted for him to take her outstretched hand. “Mrs. Burls, you don’t look a day older than forty.” He winked. “I confess that seeing you so lovely tonight makes my heart skip a beat.”

  The old woman giggled as if she were in her childhood years. “Oh, you wicked man, Mr. Woodland. It is I whose has the fluttering heart because of your false flattery.”

  “False?” He placed a hand to his heart. “You wound me, Mrs. Burls. I tell only the truth, you know. If not, the good Lord would choose someone else to lead this parish.”

  She shook her head. “Then if you aren’t lying, you are stretching the truth farther than you have stretched it before.”

  The others standing around her chuckled, and he smiled. “But forgive me for intruding on your conversation.” He glanced at the three other women and two men.

  “Nonsense,” Mrs. Clarkston said. She was probably the next oldest woman in this township. “We enjoy your company, Mr. Woodland.”

  He held up Mrs. Burls’ gift as he met her stare again. “I have brought you a gift, but I shall wait for more of your guests to arrive so that everyone can see your surprise.”

  “Mrs. Stiles has a table set up in the other room, specifically for my gifts.” The old woman pointed in the general direction, toward the small corridor. “Please put it in there. I shall open my gifts in a few hours.”