Page 25 of The Truth about the Earl
He jerked visibly in surprise, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sought to make her out. “Yes, of course.” The tray of food remained in his hand as he bowed his head. “What is it you require?”
“I require you to go inthere.” Norah gestured to the small room to her left.
“The parlor?”
Norah nodded. “If that is what it is, then yes.”
He glanced toward it, then nodded. “But of course. And what is it you require from there?”
Hesitating, Norah spread her hands. “I do not require anything from there. However, I do require you to walk into the parlor and make certain all is well.”
The confusion on the footman’s face was more than apparent but Norah did not care. It was just as well that she could not be seen particularly clearly given the lack of candles else the footman might have been able to identify her when he discussed the matter with others, as he was sure to do. It was best for Norah to remain as anonymous as she could, while making certain that Miss Patterson was taken care of.
“But of course.” The footman, the tray of food still in one hand, walked toward the door and, rapping loudly on it, made to turn the handle.
Norah melted away into the shadows, before swiftly turning around and making her way back toward the drawing-room. Entering it, she hurriedly put a smile on her lips and, after only a few moments, found another lady to converse with. Making certain to keep the door to the drawing room in view while she attempted to converse with Lady Gardiner, Norah let out a breath of relief when Miss Patterson suddenly reappeared. The girl was even paler than usual and her eyes were wide with fright, but she seemed otherwise uninjured. She was careful as she came into the room, staying back to the edges of the room and moving with great slowness as though she had no particular urgency about being in anyone’s company. Norah kept her gaze fixed to her as Lady Gardiner continued to remark about the very fine weather they had been enjoying, relieved when Miss Patterson finally reached Lady Maude once more. Lady Maude threw not even the smallest glance toward her friend but Norah was not surprised. The lady did not care for anyone other than herself.
Taking in a deep breath, Norah smiled and began to agree wholeheartedly with Lady Gardiner about the weather being very fine indeed. Lady Maude had ignored Norah entirely ever since that particular rumor had been printed about her in the society papers, but Norah did not have any great trouble over such a thing. Lady Maude was not the sort of person she wished to have as an acquaintance and she certainly did not envy Miss Patterson for being in her company!
Another glance told her that Lord Bearsden had returned to the drawing room, looking a little angry. Norah’s smile spread across her face as a swirl of satisfaction ran through her veins. Lord Bearsden would find his behavior known to all of thetonvery soon indeed, and Norah had no doubt he would deserve every single last modicum of anger and upset sent his way.
“And you have been taking greaterprecautions?”
Norah nodded as she poured the tea. “Yes, indeed. I have become a good deal more careful as to who receives my articles so that there can be no opportunity for interception.”
Lady Adlay nodded. “It seems to have done the trick, for the last four articles have been quite without any falsehoods whatsoever.”
Norah smiled. “Indeed, they have.”
Lady Adlay’s eyes fixed to hers. “Lord Bearsden has returned to his estate.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
Her friend’s lips bunched, pulling to one side. “I am a little surprised at him, I confess.”
Norah’s eyebrows rose. “Surprised?”
“Yes, indeed. He is, on all accounts, a respectable gentleman who has very little by way of flaws and the like. To know that he would be willing to treat Miss Patterson in such a way has quite astonished me.”
“And yet, he did.” Norah shook her head. “Mayhap he did so, knowing that she was the least inclined out of all the young ladies in society, to say a single word about his behavior. She is, after all, a quiet and somewhat timid creature, I think.”
A small sigh pulled from Lady Adlay’s lips. “I suppose that may well be true. I do not know Miss Patterson particularly well but that is certainly the impression that she gives.”
Norah nodded. “I did not like to see her so poorly treated.”
“That is admirable.” Lady Adlay gave her a small smile. “And might I ask if society has continued to treat you with respect?”
Considering this question, Norah tilted her head to one side, her gaze drifting across the room for a moment. “There are certain people in my acquaintance who certainly do not converse with me with the same ease they once did, but on the whole, I have found myself to be quite satisfied.”
“That is good.” Lady Adlay smiled and picked up her teacup. “And might I ask if Lord Yardley has continued with his…..interest?”
Norah laughed and waved a hand. “He does not have any particular interest, I am sure,” she replied, albeit with a slight blush. “I will confess that his eagerness to be in my company has been a great encouragement, however. I am sure that it has encouraged those who might be inclined toward absenting themselves from my company have decided to do otherwise. I have seen some of thetonwatching our interactions and, thereafter, coming to converse with me.” A soft smile pulled at her mouth as she thought of Lord Yardley. He had made it quite plain that he did not believe a single word of the rumor for, in the days following what had been printed in society papersabout her, he had seemingly been quite determined to be in her company at almost every opportunity. Indeed, it had felt as though he was deliberately seeking her out and Norah had very much appreciated his company.
“I believe he is a good man.”
“Yes, I consider him to be so.” Norah agreed but ignored Lady Adlay’s questioning look. “I have another article to write this afternoon or tomorrow but I wish to be quite certain of the facts before I do so. It has been almost a sennight since my article on Miss Patterson – although, of course, I did not write her name in the article itself – and I must have something new for the society papers come the morrow.”
Lady Adlay leaned forward, her eyes suddenly wide with eager expectation. “And what should this new article say?”
