Page 29 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
Albright.
No, she gave her head a shake. Albright had no part in her plans. She refused to think of him any longer. He did not care for her, and while she might care for him, it washerfuture at stake. She couldn’t waste time worrying about him. He did not want her, let alone need her.
“Felicity?” Meg’s voice called her out of her wandering thoughts.
Felicity blinked and realized belatedly that Meg, Jane, and Ann were all staring at her.
She smiled. “My apologies. You’ve caught me daydreaming. Did you ask me something?”
The others shared a look that held more concern than she could bear. So she forced her smile even wider. “Come now, I may be distracted, but there’s no need to fret.” She flounced down on her great uncle’s settee beside Jane and patted her knee reassuringly. “Now, what did I miss?”
“Felicity,” Ann started slowly. “Is there anything…amiss?”
Felicity didn’t let her smile falter. “Why would there be anything amiss?”
Meg frowned. “Have you been unwell? Carver said that Albright tried to visit and was turned away because you were not feeling well.”
“Ah.” Felicity laughed. “Forgive me for making you worry. I simply was not up for company. Particularly not Albright.” She shook her head. “He is kind enough, undoubtedly, but I cannot bear too much time in his company, I’m afraid.”
The words rang true—because they were true—and Felicity took some pride in the fact that she’d thus far managed to avoid lying to her friends. She truly disliked lying, and particularly to those she loved.
Jane’s brows furrowed. “I thought you and Albright were working together to catch Everson. Was that not what you wished for?”
“Indeed. However, I believe Albright and I have different ideas on how such a task ought to be accomplished.”
There. She clasped her hands in her lap with a smug smile. She’d done it again. Yes, they shared a desire to see justice served, but she could not imagine their tactics would be the same.
Albright was so careful. So patient. That was not her at all. Felicity sniffed and gave a sharp nod. No, indeed. It was likelyfor the best he’d been so horrified at the thought of marriage. Why, they wouldn’t get on at all.
He was likely even now watching Everson, waiting patiently for him to fleece thetonand take off for parts unknown so he’d have the evidence necessary to arrest him.
If it were up to her…
Her smile faltered. If it were up to her, what would she do?
A nagging sensation was tugging at her as it had been for the last two days since her awful encounter with Albright. And it was back now in full force, that feeling like it all connected. As though this puzzle could be completed if she just rearranged the pieces. Perhaps looked at it all from a different angle…
She tilted her head to the side, her gaze distant as if she might actually see the moving pieces if she stared long enough.
Meg cleared her throat. “Felicity? Did Albright…offend you in some way?”
“Kal seems to think he wishes to apologize,” Ann added.
Felicity knew they were speaking to her, and she ought to respond. But she was so close to making this connection. And then sweet, quiet Jane spoke up. “Marlin’s worried they’ve put you in too much danger with the Everson matter. I believe he’d like to apologize as well.”
Lord Marlin.
Everson.
Felicity getting too close…
Her initial conversations with Albright came back to her all at once, as if a dam was lifted. The reasons she’d argued to be a part of the investigation in the first place. Her own words came back to her.
You do realize that Mr. Everson has of late been more flirtatious than ever with the young debutantes of theton, do you not? Honestly, I’m surprised I wasn’t first on his list.
And then,What’s to stop him from taking investment money from unsuspecting gentlemen like my uncle and disappearing with it?
And then her uncle’s voice was in her head.You’ve never been one to sit and sulk when you don’t get your way. You’re a doer. An action taker.
