Page 36 of The Devil of Clan Sinclair
“What are you talking about?”
He settled into one of the chairs in front of the desk.
“You’ve sent her off to Scotland, your ladyship. If she returns with child, your problems are over, aren’t they?”
Ice coated the inside of her stomach. What did he know? Nothing, unless she verified it for him.
He was an attractive man, but one of those men who was well aware of his looks. Perhaps not vain as much as brash, certain of himself. In this situation, he could not be allowed to get the upper hand.
She forced her lips to curve into a half smile, the same expression she used when communicating with her solicitor. The dowager countess smile indicating she was the equal of any news he could impart.
“I don’t believe I understand what you’re talking about, Paul.”
He smiled. “Oh I think you do, Countess. I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.” He settled back in the chair and crossed one leg over the other, a relaxed and confident pose.
She should have dismissed him the day after Lawrence’s death.
“You sent your daughter-in-law off to seduce a man. I heard you myself.”
“I don’t know what you heard, Paul, but whatever it was has confused you. Virginia is merely visiting with friends. She wanted to get away from London.”
“Scotland, Countess?”
Her fingertips were like ice and her lips were numb. In the next minute she might begin to drool.
This odious man was not going to make her lose her composure.
“I don’t know why you’re so concerned where her ladyship is, Paul. It’s none of your concern.”
“I’m not greedy, Countess. A few pounds every Friday night would go a long way to making me happy. Or being released from some of my new duties, perhaps?”
“Do you have any duties?” she asked.
“Albert has found a few for me to do. Shall I furnish you a list?”
She stared down at the column of figures, seeing nothing but his smiling face.
If he went to Jeremy, they were ruined. The plan was doomed before it began. Not that it was a guarantee, but it was the only chance they had.
“I want my servants to be happy,” she heard herself saying. How calm she sounded, a result of years of schooling her features to be pleasant in the midst of chaos.
This was most definitely chaos.
“I’ll speak to Albert,” she said. A word to the majordomo and Paul would be freed of most of his duties. “I’m certain we can find a few pounds to offer you in payment for your loyalty.” She’d sell her dresses if she had to.
“I’m happy we had this conversation,” he said, standing and going to the door. “I look forward to many more.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, she expelled a breath.
Oh dear, what was she to do about Paul?
Drumvagen, Scotland
July, 1869
“Would you like to select a dress, your ladyship?”
Virginia waved a hand in Hannah’s direction. “Pick anything you like,” she said. “They’re all the same anyway. Black is black.”
