Series: Studies in Scandal

Read an excerpt: “There you are, my dear,” said the Earl of Forsyth with a beaming smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Maitland saw at once that Daphne favored him. Her green eyes were the same shade as his, though there were lines of dissipation bracketing the earl’s. And though his expertly cropped blond hair was shot through with silver, what remained of its original color was the same shade as hers. But whereas Daphne’s gaze was focused off to the left of whomever she conversed with, like a bird hovering just over a branch, Forsyth’s speared one with cold calculation. As he did to Daphne now. “You are looking well, Daphne,” the earl continued, stepping forward to embrace his daughter, who looked as uncomfortable with the contact as Maitland had ever seen her. “The sea air agrees with you. As I knew it would.” “The sea is very beautiful,” Daphne replied woodenly. “Why are you here, Father?” “Is that any way to greet...