Page 20 of The Heiress in Disguise
“I know I’ll be seeing you at my father’s masquerade ball,” Lady Gwyneth said. “And if we’re fortunate, maybe we’ll have the chance to see one another at some other events.”
“Well—that’s possible,” George stammered, and Antoine understood what his valet was thinking—pretending for a few minutes for Lady Gwyneth alone was one thing, but he certainly couldn’t be expected to pose as Lord Cambridge at a ball in front of dozens of people.
Or could he? For a moment, Antoine entertained the idea. If Lord Cambridge was in confirmed attendance at a party that would give him, as Lord Stephens, more freedom to move about the place. It was an intriguing thought, if nothing else—but no, he could never ask it of George.
He felt sure that George would do anything Antoine requested of him, but because of that fact, it was important to Antoine to be cautious and measured in his requests. He didn’t want to compel his valet to do something that would exceed his comfort.
“Will you get us some brandy, Philip?” George asked. “Lady Gwyneth, would you like to share a drink with me?”
“Oh, I’d be delighted!” Lady Gwyneth said. “I’m supposed to be getting home soon, of course—I told my mother I would drop off the basket and come right back—but she wouldn’t begrudge me taking some time to get to know the new neighbor.”
“Only if you’re certain, of course,” George said quickly. “If you need to be getting back, that’s fine.”
Antoine found himself wishing the invitation hadn’t been extended. Of course Lady Gwyneth was going to want to prolong her stay—it had been clear to him while at her home that she had an interest in “Lord Cambridge,” based on the way she’d giggled and fawned when he had delivered the gift basket.
He couldn’t regret having brought the gifts to her and her family because they had allowed him the opportunity to discover what was happening with Angelique. But he did wish he’d declined when Angelique had suggested that she be the one to deliver the gifts to his house.
He should have simply told her that he, Philip, would carry the basket for her, and that there was no need for anyone else to be involved. He had practically invited Lady Gwyneth here—it was nobody’s fault but his own that he was dealing with this now.
He poured two glasses of brandy and carried them over. George smiled and thanked him. Lady Gwyneth took hers without so much as looking in his direction. She took a small, ladylike sip.“Oh, my,” she said. “This is delicious—but it’s a bit strong.” She set it down. “I’m lucky I came by carriage.”
“You came by carriage from next door?”
“I always prefer to travel by carriage,” Lady Gwyneth said. “A lady doesn’t walk from place to place.”
“Of course not,” George agreed.
She frowned at him. “What’s your story, Lord Cambridge?” she asked. “Are you new to your title? Why have we never heard of you?”
“Oh—I’m not entirely sure,” George hedged. “I’m not new to my title, no, but I haven’t been in London in some time, so perhaps that’s why.”
“Perhaps,” Lady Gwyneth said slowly.
Thankfully, the door opened before she could question George further. Mrs. Godfrey came in. Antoine turned toward her automatically.
“The task you gave me is done, my lord,” she said—facing Antoine directly. He felt a spike of anxiety. She didn’t knowthat George was pretending to be Lord Cambridge—she had addressedAntoineas if he were the lord of the house!
It was clear that Lady Gwyneth’s sharp eyes hadn’t missed what had just happened. She would have even more questions now. Antoine cursed himself. They had handled this so poorly! If only he and George had had a little more time to prepare before putting this plan into action, it might have worked—but they hadn’t.
Thankfully, George spoke up quickly in an attempt to remedy the situation. “Mrs. Godfrey, we’ve discussed this. Please do make eye contact with me when you speak to me.”
Mrs. Godfrey turned to George, an expression confusion on her face.
“I am the lord of this house,” George said, in an attempt to prompt her. “I don’t demand much of my servants, I believe, but I will have the respect that is due me—look at me when you speak to me.”
Antoine watched Mrs. Godfrey take in the clothes George wore. Something like understanding dawned on her face, though Antoine knew she couldn’t possibly have understood very much. “Of course, my lord,” she said. “I apologize.”
“No need to apologize,” George said. “What did you come to tell me?”
“I wanted to let you know that I completed the task you asked me to do about thirty minutes ago.”
“You’re done already?”
“Yes, my lord. We had the necessary things in the house.”
She must have made use of some of Charlotte’s things, Antoine realized. He didn’t think his sister would mind. She was a kind-hearted person, and anyway, most of the things in this house had never been touched by her. They’d been purchased in advance of her coming here—a journey that would soon be postponed indefinitely.
And if Mrs. Godfrey had done as she had been asked, that meant that Angelique would soon be receiving gifts that would make her life more comfortable.
