Page 13 of Snowed-in with Scandal
Nicholas frowned at the newcomer.Anothergentleman interested in his Arabella?
Well, she wasn’t his—she seemed to belong to a great many gentlemen, he thought bitterly.
He considered his own effect on women. They did not flirt with him as Lady Quamby flirted. Indeed, Arabella had never flirted with him. Their meeting had been purely accidental. He had met her when he’d been asked to turn the pages of her music during a musical soiree. He’d had no idea she was the daughter of a baron or that her family possessed any particular fortune. Their courtship had been based on genuine affection and shared interests, not calculation.
He drew himself up. Arabella was a fortune hunter—or perhaps the more delicate term was adventuress. He hadthought she wasn’t when he had fallen in love with her and proposed, but clearly she was a woman on the make.
And now here was the new Lord Lushington making inquiries as to her whereabouts. Had she missed an assignation with him, he thought sourly?
“We have no idea where she has gone,” he told their visitor tersely before Lady Quamby could respond. “In fact, we had wondered if she was keeping an appointment with a certain Lord Pemberton?” He sent Antoinette an inquiring look…yes, with a slightly vicious undertone, but he didn’t care. “You did say that was the name of her latest admirer.”
“I said that was the name of the man who admiredher!” Lady Quamby said with a laugh. “There is a difference!”
“So you really do not know where she can be found?” asked Lushington, leaning forward with a frown. “Should I be concerned?”
Lady Quamby waved her hand in her characteristic vague fashion. He did like their hostess, but he was not convinced as to how complex were her reasoning abilities.
“We do not think so. One of the servants thought it possible she had gone to Lushington Hall, but other sources say she has gone to visit someone else, though she did send Mr. Morley here a note to say that she hoped to be back tomorrow.” Lady Quamby smiled sweetly. “We can always send a message onwards to you when she returns.”
“Lushington Hall?”
It struck Nicholas that his reaction to this statement was rather odd. Algernon jumped forward slightly, his cup rattling against its saucer, and when Lady Quamby said, “Well, I dare say that it stands to reason, considering it is still her home.” He frowned and said quickly, “Yes, yes, the terms of the estate do allow her tenure in the Dower house.” Then he cleared his throat and added, “But I would have liked warning so that itcould have been prepared for her arrival, if that is where she is gone.” Hesitating, he asked, “Do you really think that is her destination?”
Nicholas had thought that he did not care, but now he was feeling a slight discomfort. He did not like the aura he was getting from the late Lord Lushington’s cousin.
“Oh, I do hope she’s quite safe,” Antoinette said, though her tone had lost some of its earlier warmth. “She seemed rather... anxious when she left.”
“Anxious?” Algernon’s eyes sharpened. “In what way?”
“Well, she left so very early, without proper farewells. And her maid seemed quite distressed about something.” Lady Quamby tilted her head, studying their visitor with greater interest. “You seem very concerned about her movements, Mr. Lushington. Is there some particular reason?”
“Merely familial duty,” he said smoothly, but Nicholas noticed how his hands had tightened on his teacup. “As her late husband’s nearest relative, I feel responsible for her welfare. It is dangerous for a woman traveling alone.”
“I really don’t know why she didn’t take her maid with her,” the Colonel interjected from his corner. “And if she’s gone to Lord Pemberton instead of Lushington Hall she’ll be looked after?—”
“Lord Pemberton?” Algernon’s voice was sharp. “Please tell me, who is this Lord Pemberton?”
“You do not know Lord Pemberton?” Lady Quamby asked in tones of incredulity. “Why, he is a very dear friend of hers. I thought as her family, you would know of her... friendships.”
Nicholas darted a look at his hostess. Her look was ingenuous, though her story had altered slightly. Was she testing their new visitor?
“Of course, of course,” Lushington said quickly. “Yes!” He clapped his hands together as he gave a bluff laugh, adding, “Ofcourse I know Lord Pemberton. And if she is indeed with him, then I should not be concerned.”
“I’m glad to have put your mind at rest regarding Lord Pemberton,” Lady Quamby said with a little smile. She put her head on one side. “But now tell us, Lord Lushington, was it pure coincidence you passed this way en route to finding our lovely guest?”
Lushington spread his hands as he shrugged his shoulders. “I confess, there is more. I have been managing some estate matters on her behalf—she has been quite overwhelmed by grief, you understand—and there are documents that require her signature. In fact, the matter has become quite urgent.”
Nicholas studied the man more closely. There was something about the way he spoke of Arabella that didn’t sit right—a possessiveness that seemed to go beyond mere familial concern.
“Managing her affairs?” Fanny spoke up for the first time, having entered quietly during the conversation. “How thoughtful of you. And what sort of matters require such urgent attention?”
Lushington’s smile faltered. “Oh, merely... rental agreements, tenant concerns. Nothing that would interest ladies, I’m sure.”
“On the contrary,” Fanny said pleasantly, “I find estate management quite fascinating. My husband has taught me a great deal about such matters. Perhaps you could enlighten us about the specific urgency? And the details? In case Lady Lushington returns after you have gone?”
The silence stretched uncomfortably as Lushington seemed to struggle for an answer. Finally he said with false bonhomie, “I would indeed be in your debt if you could pass on my concerns should Lady Lushington return.” He rose. “However, I am anxious to be on my way while the weather is clear. And it is close to the dinner hour?—”
“And you must be our guest, Lord Lushington!” Lady Quamby cried, her eyes dancing as she looked at her sister. “Fanny, won’t you ring and tell Mary that we have an extra guest this evening? For it is too late for you to consider progressing your journey this evening.”
