Page 97 of My Highland Rogue
“You reallywon’tsay,” Jennifer said, stepping to the side so that Ellen was no longer between them.
Maggie was slightly taller, which was annoying. Jennifer would have liked to tower over the woman.
“Why should I tell you anything, Lady Jennifer? Yes, I know exactly who you are.”
Ellen stepped between them again. “I commend your loyalty, Maggie, but believe me when I tell you that it’s misplaced in this instance. Gordon will not be pleased to learn that you’ve turned us away without information.”
Instead of looking chastened, Maggie smiled again, a smug, self-satisfied smile.
“My loyalty has never been misplaced, Mrs. Thornton, and it isn’t in this case. Now, if you don’t mind leaving, I have work to do.”
“Thank you for giving us your time,” Ellen said, her voice decidedly frosty.
Neither woman spoke as they left the office. As they entered the carriage, Ellen said, “What a disagreeable woman. She didn’t appear that way when I first met her, I can assure you.”
“She didn’t like me, but that’s all right,” Jennifer said. “I didn’t like her.”
Ellen gave instructions to her driver to take them home.
“What are we going to do now?” Jennifer asked.
“There is nothing to do but reconnoiter. Is there anyone else in London who might know where Gordon is and when he will be returning?”
Jennifer shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“We’ll find him. It may not be the reunion you wanted. You might have to wait a few days or even longer, but he’ll return to London shortly, I’m sure.”
She glanced at Ellen. “If I had been more pleasant, do you think she would’ve told us? Is it my fault that she didn’t?”
“I truly don’t think it would’ve made a difference. She’s extremely protective of Gordon.”
Jennifer stared out the window at the passing scenery.
“I shall send a note around to the majordomo at Gordon’s home and ask him to inform Gordon that we are in London. I’ll also give him my address so that when he returns, he’ll come to see you.”
“If he will,” Jennifer said. “There’s every possibility he’ll avoid me. He doesn’t know the truth, you see.”
Ellen frowned. “There’s that.” After a moment she said, “Never mind. I shall think of something.”
Jennifer sat back against the seat.Disappointmentwas not a word that adequately described her feelings at the moment. It was deeper than that. She had been so excited about coming to London, overjoyed to be able to tell Gordon that nothing stood between them anymore. Now his absence felt like another barrier that needed to be torn down. She was growing excessively tired of people and situations preventing her from being with the man she loved.
Chapter Forty
The change in Jennifer was remarkable. It was as if someone had turned on a switch and made life appear in her eyes. She smiled. She’d even laughed in the past day. She’d stood up to Maggie in a way that had completely surprised Ellen.
Why, though, should she be startled at Jennifer’s behavior? Her daughter was a strong woman. She’d cared for Mary without complaint, even as Harrison had ignored them all. For nearly a year before Mary’s death, Jennifer had taken on the duty of Adaire Hall, continuing when Harrison had abdicated all responsibility.
Ellen couldn’t help but recall the night she and Harrison had arrived at Adaire Hall, interrupting Jennifer and Gordon at dinner. In that moment, seeing them together, she’d known that Jennifer was in love. Gordon’s five-year absence was the reason why Jennifer sometimes looked inconsolable. His presence brought out the sparkle in her eyes and a rose to her cheeks. Nor had she stopped smiling during the entire dinner. Not only that, but she’d glanced at Gordon often and stretched out her hand toward his, as if she couldn’t bear not touching him.
Love was not in such abundance in the worldthat it could afford to be quashed. Nor was she going to allow her daughter to be hurt. She was going to obtain Gordon’s location, and if they had to return to Scotland immediately, that was fine, too. She had unlimited funds at her disposal and time to act as Cupid.
Therefore, Ellen found herself in front of the Mayfair Club once again. She’d waited until after dinner, when Jennifer had retired to her suite. Then she’d called for her carriage, and she was more than prepared to go to war with Maggie Boyland.
A few minutes later, she was knocking on the door of the Mayfair Club once again.
“Good evening, Ellison,” she said, evidently surprising the man who probably hadn’t expected her to learn his name.
“Ma’am,” Ellison said, bowing slightly.
