Page 18 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
Lady Leeds’ expression said it all, a sympathetic sadness that bordered on pity. A look that Adelaide could not cope with.
“Has something been said, Mama? I must know,” she pressed.
“Nothing has been said, my darling girl,” Lady Leeds replied solemnly. “We have received no word, though I confess I have yet to look over the day’s papers. As far as your father and I are concerned, everything is due to proceed as planned.”
“Then why do you sound so disheartened?”
“Do I, dear?”
“You know you do.”
Lady Leeds sighed. “I am sure it is nothing to worry yourself over. Perhaps, there has been a delay in the printing of it. I would not be surprised if all of this was remedied by this time tomorrow.”
“There must besomethingfrom him, Mama.”
She did not wait to hear what her mother had to say, as she turned and hurried back towards the entrance hall. Brushing past Jasper, she strode into the library and snatched a paper from the side-table where her father always left it. Ephraim himself had departed for town earlier. Adelaide had heard him leave just as she was sitting down to write her note.
She flicked frantically through the newspaper, but there was no word of their engagement. Dropping it to the ground, she hurried out of the library and over to the letter tray. Surely, there had to be something from him? Anything. Sifting through the letters like a madwoman, her heart sank like a stone. There was nothing addressed to her. His handwriting was nowhere to be found in the pile.
He would not do this to me,she told herself.He admires me. He finds me exciting. He told me so himself.
“Adelaide?” Jasper murmured, his voice laced with concern.
“Not now,” she begged.Forcing away the persistent prickle of humiliated tears, she riffled through the letters again.
Have I missed something? He did not seem any different the last time we met. Indeed, he spoke with mother and father and was remarkably amiable. Everything was set in place. He promised to have the announcement made today. He swore it in good faith. So… where is it? What did I do to dissuade him?She could not remember saying or doing anything untoward, but personal history had made it clear that it was likely her fault.
Her breath caught in her throat. With her heart pounding in her chest, she staggered towards the front door. Her lungs begged for the sting of cold, fresh air. The house was too small, too claustrophobic. The walls were closing in.
Stumbling out onto the top step, she gripped the balustrade for support. A curious mist had rolled in, the vapor snaking across the ground. Behind her, she was half-aware of Jasper hurrying after her. She paid him no heed. Right now, he did not matter.
Her eyes scoured the park beyond with panicked desperation, just in time to see a dark-coated figure sweep away into the distance. Someone had been watching her.
Is this another one of your games, Reuben? Or have we been playing one all this time… and I have already lost?
Chapter 7
“Was there anywhere in particular that you wished to frequent in Mayfair, Lady Adelaide?” Lady Francesca purred as they walked along with their chaperone, Edith, trailing behind. Puffs of condensation swirled from Lady Francesca’s lips with every word. Meanwhile, their ermine collars were pulled tight to keep out the wintry bite that nipped at the cheeks of those brave enough to wander amongst it.
“Now that you mention it, yes, there is somewhere I wish to go,” she replied firmly. A day had passed since she had watched the shadowy figure disappear into the fog. There was no guarantee that the shadow had been Reuben. However, his continued silence spoke volumes.
“Oh?”
Adelaide looked towards a row of charming townhouses up ahead, each one gleaming in the autumn sun. They were perfectly identical, though peppered with a hint of personality. Some had flowers blooming from hanging baskets, whilst others had quaint statues or stone lions perched in protection of the house. The doors stood out in an array of different colors, too. Adelaide had her gaze fixed on one with a door of bottle green.
“I had hoped to visit with the Dowager Duchess of Bradford,” she said defiantly, steeling herself for the courage to come.
Lady Francesca shot her a horrified look. “I thought I recognized this street. You cannot, dear Lady Adelaide. Truly, there is nothing to gain from such an intrusion.”
“Honesty would seem a good enough reason for me, Lady Francesca.”
“I must insist that we turn around this instant and find more joyful distractions for our afternoon.”
Adelaide shook her head. “I will not be deterred, Lady Francesca. You may accompany me, or you may leave. It is entirely your decision. I must have answers.”
“This is a foolish endeavor, Lady Adelaide,” Lady Francesca warned. “I can understand your disappointment, but the Duke’s absence at the Assembly Rooms does not mean anything.”
“And the lack of announcement in yesterday’s and today’s news?”
