Page 24 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“Not yet.”
In truth, Adelaide believed the missing shawl to be nothing more than the ruse of an anxious lover. In purposefully leaving it here, Leah had ensured that she would have reason to return. It would not matter what sort of temporary conflict she and Adelaide were entertaining. Since Jasper was often at the Colborne house, Adelaide suspected that to be the true intent behind it—so Leah might happen upon Jasper, quite by ‘accident.’
“If it is not found today, I shall have to return until it is recovered.”
Confirmation, if ever I heard it,Adelaide mused. “Of course, Leah. Although, you were not too clear, as to where the item had been mislaid. Perhaps, if we were to have a better idea of its whereabouts, we might be able to discover it more swiftly.”
“As I have told you, I do not know where I left it.”
“Might it be at the Assembly Rooms, or one of the tea shops in town?”
“I cannot see why it would be there.”
Adelaide smiled sweetly. “Well then, may the search continue.”
“You mock me, and I do not care for it,” Leah remarked sharply.
“I assure you, there is no mockery here,” Adelaide replied, wishing she had never sent an invite to the sour-faced girl. Evidently, their friendship had taken a knock. Perhaps, Leah required more time for her feelings of animosity to dissipate before they spoke again. “If the timing is not convenient, we can always reconvene later in the week?”
Leah sighed wearily. “I am rather too busy later in the week. Indeed, I was surprised to receive your note at all.”
“I wished to speak with you.”
“Yes, I gathered as much.” Her blue eyes gazed into the flickering flames of the drawing room fire. “About what, exactly?”
“Jasper.”
Her gaze flitted up, harboring a glint of curiosity. “Oh?”
“He does not wish to trouble you, after parting ways on such disagreeable terms at the Assembly Rooms,” Adelaide continued. “It is something he very much regrets, but he did not deem it appropriate to send word to you. I promised I would speak to you on his behalf, so that you might know of his remorse.”
She arched an eyebrow. “And what remorse might that be?”
“He did not mean to depart in such a brusque manner, without discussing the subject of your displeasure. He is not a particularly worldly man, and he does not understand the complexities of women. He tries, but he often fails.” Adelaide smiled with encouragement. She was starting to realize that she might not have been the best person to be having this conversation with Leah, considering the latter’s disdain for their friendship.
“I see you have been discussing me at great length,” Leah’s tone shivered with bitterness.
“Not at all, Leah. He attempted to blame me for saying something untoward, that may have dissuaded you from enjoying his company,” Adelaide explained. “I corrected him and made him see that it was his abandonment that may have caused such a rift. The nature of your dispute was, and is, none of my business.”
“He did not tell you that it was because of you that we found ourselves in a rather uncomfortable silence?”
“He alluded to it, but I was not certain that was the case,” Adelaide lied. A small fib to keep her sweet.
“He could not help but mention your upcoming nuptials, and how inappropriate he deems them,” she went on sourly. “He does not appear to understand the image that it projects. That he cares more of you, his friend, than spending time in acquainting himself more personally with me.”
Adelaide nodded sympathetically. “I told him as much. He was rather horrified when he discovered how it might have made you feel. Truly, I have never seen him so downhearted.”
Leah’s eyebrows pinched together in a frown. “You mean it?”
“I do. He cares for you, rather deeply, I should think.”
For a long time, Leah said nothing. She reached for her cup of tea and lifted it delicately to her lips. A few sips later, she returned the cup and saucer to the table and leveled her gaze at Adelaide.
“My mother is ill-convinced of my pursuing this romantic endeavor,” she said bluntly, taking Adelaide by surprise. “In some ways, I think she agrees with the likes of Countess Gaumont, that I am unsuitable for such a man. An Earl’s son may be setting my sights too high.”
“But you care for him, and he cares for you,” she replied cautiously. “Nor does he concern himself with the staunch views of high society, as I have already assured you. You will not find a more amenable gentleman in all of London, I guarantee it.”
Leah shrugged casually. “Be that as it may, I can’t help but wonder if my mother is right. Were I to be in the fortunate position of being married to Jasper, I imagine I would spend a lifetime being looked down upon. It is not a particularly scintillating thought.”
