Page 114 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
Lisbelle looked over at the valet. “Well? Come on? Leave them alone.” Then she and the valet left them.
“I’m sorry, Oliver.”
“I am too. It was wrong of me to hide my love for Emily from you. I was conflicted over it. I do love you Madeline. I always have. But you were right. I hated you for saying it, but you were right. After you broke off our engagement, I thought about it, and I realised how wrong we were for each other and how right Emily and I were. It was so simple. What am I saying? How are you to know what it’s like to love another when you are supposed to love someone else?”
He sat down with a sigh.
“I do know, Oliver.” She went to him, feeling the smile on her face that would not dissipate for anything. “I fell in love with Lord Peter. I feel like such a fool.”
“I guess we’re both fools.”
“Indeed we are.”
“Shall we break the news now? We don’t have much time.”
“The news,” she said. “Yes, of course. Wedon’thave much time to preparetwoweddings!”
Chapter 79
Lord Peter was chatting with Madeline’s Uncle Roger when Foster came to him.
“Excuse me, M’Lord, may I have a word with you for just a moment?”
“Of course, Foster. Excuse me, Roger. I look forward to hearing the rest of your story when I return.”
Foster led him out of the hall.
“Foster, you heroic old chap, I want to thank you for rescuing me from that man.”
“Let me guess,” said Foster. “The five Frenchmen?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“Call it a hunch.”
“Well, there it is, then. What did you want to see me about?”
“Lady Madeline would like to have a word with you before the wedding ceremony begins.”
A current of nerves ran through him. “Me? Whatever for?”
“If I knew that, M’Lord, I would endeavour to relay the message to you myself. I do not know it, and therefore the Lady has charged me with the task of summoning you and nothing more.”
“Of course, Foster. You don’t have to be snippy about it.”
“Apologies, M’Lord. I have a great many things to take care of, and I believe the weight of the day has gotten the better of me. It shall not happen again.”
“Never mind, old boy,” said Lord Peter. “We all have those days.”
“Mmm, said the butler, straightening his vest. “This way, M’Lord.”
He led Peter up the stairs to Madeline’s room.
“Rather scandalous, isn’t it, Foster?”
“Lisbelle is in there with her.”
“Not much for a joke I see.”
