Page 19 of Miss Flibbertigibbet and the Barbarian
She sighed. “I know.” After a second, she added, “Patience is not my strong suit.”
His lips twitched. “So I’d gathered.”
Her fingertips were drumming a tattoo on the blotter when Merriweather appeared in the doorway.
When she arched her brows at him, he rather pointedly said, “I was wondering whether you had any orders for me, my lady.”
She glanced at the clock. It was twenty minutes to six. Merriweather wanted to know if Nicholas was staying to dine.
Rapidly, she canvassed her options, but realistically, there were none. Yet every nerve in her body tensed at the thought that her father’s “good day” might have waned, and thus, in the drawing room and over dinner, his mind might wander in impossible-to-conceal ways.
Still…no choice.
“Yes, of course.” She glanced at Nicholas. “You will stay to dine, won’t you? We usually sit down at six o’clock, and in this season, we don’t stand on ceremony.”
He, too, glanced at the clock, then returned his gaze to her face and inclined his head. “Thank you.” Then his lips twitched again. “Aside from all else, enjoying a meal will fill in the time until the searchers return.”
“Just so.” She looked at Merriweather. “Mr. Cynster will dine with us. Please tell the earl and countess we’ll join them in the drawing room shortly.”
“Yes, my lady.” Merriweather bowed and departed.
Addie focused on their unexpected and definitely-to-be-managed guest. It was on the tip of her tongue to inquire whether he was acquainted with her half brother, the wretched Phillip, but she couldn’t decide if she truly wanted to know. If he said yes, what would she do? She could hardly withdraw the dinner invitation. Instead, she told him, “The last my parents knew, I was negotiating with you over the purchase of The Barbarian. They won’t have heard that he’s missing, presumed stolen.”
Relaxed in the armchair, Nicholas studied her for a moment, reading her expression. Then, as she’d hoped, he gracefully inclined his head. “I’ll leave explaining the current situation to you. I can imagine it might come as a shock to your parents.”
“Indeed.” She could use the excuse of shock to explain any random comments her father made. She pushed away from the desk and rose. By now, Merriweather would have warned her parents about their unexpected guest. With a wave, she indicated the open door. “Come. Let me introduce you.”
She led the way to the front hall and on to the drawing room, with every step, intensely aware of the large male who prowled beside her.
Tamping down her hyperactive senses, she swept into the drawing room. As usual, her parents were seated on the long sofa set perpendicular to the massive ornate fireplace. Of her siblings, there was as yet no sign, but generally, the three joined the family about the dinner table.
As she drew near, she searched her mother’s face and, in reply to her unvoiced question, received a small smile and an infinitesimal nod. Apparently, her father’s “good day” was still in effect.
“Papa. Mama.” Addie halted before them and, with a wave, indicated their guest. “Allow me to present Mr. Nicholas Cynster. As you know, he’s here with a view to purchasing The Barbarian.”
Her father, his hands folded atop his cane, smiled in ready welcome. “Cynster. Delighted to make your acquaintance, sir.”
Nicholas bowed with ready grace. “The pleasure is mine, my lord.” He bowed again to Addie’s mother. “Countess. I’m honored by the invitation.”
“Pshaw!” Her mother smiled approvingly and waved him to one of the armchairs facing the sofa. “You are very welcome, Mr. Cynster.” She waited until he sat to say, “I’m acquainted with your mama, although I haven’t seen her in some months. Not since we were last in town. Is she well?”
“Indeed. She and my father are in Ireland at the moment, visiting with my older sister.”
“Ah, yes. The Countess of Glengarah. I believe I heard a whisper that she and that handsome husband of hers are expecting another child?”
“Yes, ma’am. Although I understand it will be some weeks yet before we hear any further news on that score.”
“Well, then.” The earl looked expectantly at Nicholas. “Have you viewed The Barbarian?”
“I have indeed, sir.” Nicholas glanced at Addie. “As I’ve informed Lady Adriana, the Cynster Stable stands ready to make an offer.”
Addie drew in a swift breath and leapt in to say, “As to that, Papa, there’s been an unanticipated difficulty.” She nearly winced and forced herself to baldly state, “In short, someone has made off with The Barbarian, but we’re already on their trail.” She rushed on, “We know the man who took the horse went by way of Aisby, and we have men out looking as we speak to determine which of the lanes the man subsequently took.”
As if sensing the urgency she felt to impart the news quickly and completely, Nicholas added, “We’re waiting at present, but once we have news of the man’s direction, we’ll set out in pursuit.”
Addie held her breath as her parents blinked, then blinked again.
Eventually, as if clarifying a point he could barely believe, her father ventured, “Someone has stolen the horse?” He glanced at her mother. “I’m certain that wasn’t a part of the plan.”
