The Mysterious Governess (Daughters of Sin Book 3) by Beverley Oakley

this assignation between you and your sister, and where you are to meet Jem. I shall keep a watchful eye over you, if it is at all within my power, for to be truthful, the notion of what you’re about to risk fills me with dread.”

Chapter Six
    A raminta felt very pleased with herself as she made her way down a narrow cobbled road to her assignation.
    Lately, she’d been feeling more than just concerned that Hetty seemed to be increasingly well received amongst the circles that had hitherto been her domain. In the past, no one had seemed to notice her silly little peahen of a sister. Now, when Araminta observed the way some of these handsome, rich and titled gentlemen looked at Hetty, she no longer saw pity in their faces.
    No, she saw interest.
    Of course, yesterday’s carriage ride with Sir Aubrey had cemented her precedence over her sister. Sir Aubrey had positively glowered at Hetty, just as he had when the entire Partington family had met him during that terrible walk her father had proposed the day before, during which he’d told them of his dire financial straits.
    Perhaps Sir Aubrey suspected Hetty was sweet on him and was using bad temper to convey to her that he could have no interest in one so beneath his notice.
    That’s what Araminta had to believe.
    But then she’d learned about the letter, which apparently Hetty was planning to secure from Lord Debenham’s valet. Good Lord, what was the girl about? How on earth had Hetty learned such a thing but, more concerningly, why should she want to do anything about it?
    Araminta’s first impulse was to tell their Papa but when she gave the matter greater consideration she realized there were far greater potential advantages if she matched Hetty’s cunning.
    In the first instance, if such a letter existed, why did Debenham not pay his manservant what it was worth? Then Araminta got to wondering if in fact the letter was this manservant’s insurance. If that were the case, then the letter must not paint a very complimentary picture of Lord Debenham. But if that were so, it must somehow exonerate Sir Aubrey, and why would Hetty want a letter that would do that? Oh yes, Araminta had seen the occasional longing look or remark that suggested her sister had an interest in Sir Aubrey but surely she’d never truly imagined her interest could be returned? Especially, after yesterday’s carriage ride? Besides, Hetty knew Araminta had set her sights on him?
    What was more concerning was the realization that if Hetty did, in fact, discover the means to exonerate Sir Aubrey—for apparently all this nonsense about the Castlereagh affair was quite important—her little sister would have very good reason for attracting Sir Aubrey’s attention. And even though it would be due entirely to gratitude on his part for her helping him out of a sticky situation of his own making, Hetty would be the one getting all the glory.
    Sir Aubrey had been foolish to have married a woman who had taken her own life. Furthermore, all this talk of his being part of a Spencean club sounded very havey-cavey, and Araminta didn’t quite understand it, but if the letter was something he did or didn’t want in the public domain, then it must be Araminta who did the clever work required to hand it back to him.
    Fortunately, Jane, the lady’s maid Araminta shared with Hetty, had been very forthcoming as she’d brushed Araminta’s hair this morning. Especially after Araminta had told her that Hetty had confessed to Araminta all the details concerning the letter and had asked Araminta to see Jem on her account, as she was frightened.
    So now, instead of Jane accompanying Hetty to an assignation with the lowly valet, Jem, to fetch the letter, Araminta had located that creature to whom she was related and resembled mildly: Miss Hazlett. For who else could she get to accompany her for the necessary chaperonage on such a forbidden mission?
    Delicious tingles of excitement curled their way through