Page 67 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
She’d probably meant the reproof to sound like a loving aunt looking out for her niece’s reputation, but the threat carried far deeper. Susannah untangled her arm and followed Lady Braithwaite down the hall without glancing back.
Instead of returning her to the ballroom, however, Lady Braithwaite led her up the stairs. She said nothing, which suited Susannah after such a disagreeable encounter. On the second floor she stopped by a large multi-paned window.
“You associate with some very reprehensible individuals, Miss Wayland,” she said softly, staring out the window.
“What do you mean?”
“Only that I have watched you since your arrival and you seem to be attracting all the wrong kinds of attention. Let me give you a word of wisdom. Sometimes snakes dress themselves up in gentlemen’s and ladies’ clothing, and parade about looking for their next victim.”
“What am I supposed to gain from that?”
Lady Braithwaite finally turned to face her. “Be careful who you trust. It hurts to be bitten by a snake. I should know.”
The beautiful woman returned her focus to the window. A crease in her brow and a shimmer in her eyes were the only indication of distress, otherwise she could have doubled for a statue. Perhaps a Grecian goddess, cold, distant, and unbreakable… or nearly unbreakable, as the presence of moisture proved her to be human.
As quickly as the look came, it was swept away under a polite smile. “I was once like you, young, beautiful… and incredibly stupid.”
“Pardon?”
“Please take no offense. I pride myself on being frank and you must know you are a bit naive.”
“I profess, I do not know a great deal about London or the world as a whole, but I would like to think I can be wise.”
“Good. Then you will take my advice, for I will not always be around to rescue you from serpents.”
“You do not like my aunt?”
“Not at all. She thinks too highly of her own importance and by the way she loomed over you, I would guess she is not as close a relative as she claims—at least, she is not as kind.”
“You are correct on both accounts.”
Again silence overtook them.
Finally Susannah asked, “Did Lady Stanford really send you for me?”
“Heavens no. You should know that. Lady Stanford worries my reputation will tarnish hers—not that it is as spotless as it once was. She would never have me fetch any ward of hers. I might taint them by association.”
The way her lips curled at the edges belied her words. Her Ladyship held no distress at all about her blackened honor. Perhaps that was why she continued to wear shades of black even though her mourning period had passed long ago. Therebellion inherent in continuing to don the color even on the dance floors of London would be a statement indeed.
“In that case, I should probably return to my friends. I would not want to distress them.”
“Yes, do.” Lady Braithwaite’s relaxed shoulders came up, as if she were putting on a shield. “We would not want them to think I have corrupted you.”
There was pain behind the statement, although Her Ladyship tried to hide it.
Susannah stepped closer. “Iam pleased with your acquaintance, Lady Braithwaite, and I look forward to advancing it.”
Again those golden eyebrows rose and a tiny smile formed on the stunning woman’s face. “As do I, Miss Wayland.”
For the better part of an hour Johnathan searched for Susannah. He’d met with Nate and Melior moments after entering, but she’d been dancing with Mr. Wallace. He, in turn, had been dragged onto the floor by a very exuberant Miss Guthrie. He’d not been close to Susannah on the dance floor, but he had caught a glance of her every time the dancers returned to their starting positions.
Then she’d disappeared.
He supposed another gentleman had led her to the floor in a different part of the large room, so he waited. When that set finished, he was certain she must be somewhere else in the building, so he’d gone from room to room, even climbing the stairs to the second level.
How could one woman evade him so long? Was she in trouble? Was she doing it on purpose?
Near a window at the back, he came upon Lady Braithwaite. He nodded to her. She nodded back. He nearly passed without saying a word, then thought better of it.
