Page 45 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
“Wait!” Mr. Kendall rushed after her.
When the pounding of his feet on the stairs died away, Susannah turned to Mr. and Miss Wallace, a bit taken aback by all the commotion. “Well, that was unexpected.”
Miss Wallace tittered. “Entirely. What does she mean by coming in here in such a state? She looked positively wild.”
Susannah’s back stiffened. It was one thing to be surprised and quite another to cast judgement. Miss Harris’s worry was understandable. She and Lady Stanford were as thick as thieves and equally as protective of one another.
“I—”
The door opened again, this time far more respectably, and the butler announced Lord Newhurst and Mr. Roberts. The occupants stood and Mr. Roberts sauntered in, John close on his heels, a single pink rose pinched between his fingers. Each gave an abbreviated bow to the room as a whole, but Susannah’s gaze was drawn to the flower.
Had John brought her a pink rose?
“I seeMiss Harrisis not here,” Mr. Roberts said with a smirk. “I told her not to go running into the house like a hoiden, but I suppose I should not have expected her to listen.”
After Miss Wallace’s affront, Mr. Roberts’s words raised her defenses. Then his eyes twinkled. His was not a rebuke but rather an odd sort of affectionate statement and that knowledge softened the remark.
“Those are exactly my thoughts, Mr. Roberts,” Miss Wallace said. “Her arrival was positively scandalous.”
The cheer in the gentleman’s face swiftly fled. His lips turned down and his cheeks tightened as his jaw worked back and forth. And if it were possible, his already proper posture somehow became straighter and taller.
“It is not at all scandalous to show deep concern for a friend, Miss Wallace.” Turning his attention to Susannah, Mr. Roberts said, “Javenia received word this morning that a doctor had been called to the house. Is this true?”
“Yes, but Lady Stanford is fine. She is merely resting from the night. Miss Harris has gone up to see her.”
Miss Wallace snickered, obviously oblivious to Mr. Roberts's earlier rebuke. “More like barge in on her peace. Mr. Kendall is trying to stop her as we speak.”
In all the time Susannah had known Mr. Roberts she had never seen him look so fierce. “Perhaps you misunderstood my earlier address, Miss Wallace. I will thank you to curb your tongue where Miss Harris is concerned.”
“But you—”
“Iam given the liberties afforded one of a long-standing friendship with the lady in question. We have known each other since our cradles. I may peck at her, but youwill not.” Without another word he marched out, calling over his shoulder, “I am going to find Nate.”
The strain in the room was palpable after such an exchange. Susannah instinctively searched out John’s gaze, unsure how to proceed, but his focus was firmly on Mr. Wallace. Both men appraised each other.
Miss Wallace flounced into her seat and put her hands to her burning cheeks. A tiny sliver of sympathy filled Susannah. Mr. Roberts and Miss Harris’s relationship was a complicated one even for those who knew them well, but someone unfamiliar might think Mr. Roberts's comment was an open invitation for unkind discourse.
“Will you join us for tea?” Susannah finally asked John, motioning to the tray.
“I thank you, yes.” His jaw clenched as he approached the group.
Resuming her seat, she was surprised when he took up the other end of the settee. Though the distance was still proper, it was the closest he’d sat to her since Lady Lincolnhurst’s soiree. He twisted the flower in his hand a time or two before setting it on the small coffee table in front of them. Her eyes caught on it and her hope diminished.
“The weather has been… rather, ah, gloomy,” she said, hoping to dissipate the tension.
Miss Wallace pulled herself together quite nicely. “Yes, the misty rain early this morning was positively depressing and wets a body clear through if one does not have the right outerwear.”
The conversation, completely ordinary and dull, caught Mr. Wallace’s attention. “Let us hope for better weather this week. There are so many pleasant pursuits available in London if only the sun would shine for a few hours.”
“Indeed,” his sister said.
The room again fell quiet. John did not contribute anything to the conversation. His chilly demeanor began to wear on her nerves. The last few hours had been difficult enough without him adding to her burden with a foul mood.
Not to mention his mystery lady. The knowledge that John’s heart might already be taken pinched at her weary nerves.
“Well, I believe it is time for us to go.” Miss Wallace rose to her feet and her brother scrambled to stand. His umber-colored eyebrows pulled together as they exchanged a look.
“Yes, um… I suppose it is time. Do send our regards to Lady Stanford and our wishes for a speedy recovery.”
