Page 71 of A Baron's Disguised Lady
There was a coldness to her words, another reason for Lavinia to find her company unsettling. She did not know what it was about Wilhelmina, but something was not right.
“But for Archie’s sake, one would hope the truth could be discovered,” Lavinia said.
Wilhelmina paused, turning to her, and narrowing her eyes.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Well… over Gwendolene’s death. What happened to her…” Lavinia said, even as she feared she had said the wrong thing.
Gwendolene’s death had been reported as being the result of natural causes. There had been no question of murder in any of the official reports. The periodicals had spoken of the sad and tragic death of the Baron Sarum’s sister. But as for murder…
“She died of a sickness, who are we to question that? No, it’s Archie I feel sorry for. Mourning his sister as he is… he shouldn’t have to keep feeling sorry for himself. He needs… companionship,” Wilhelmina said.
Lavinia did not think Archie neededcompanionship, and certainly not from Wilhelmina. But she was possessed of an odd air of confidence, as though she assumed herself to be the companion she spoke of.
But Lavinia knew very well what Archie thought of Wilhelmina. He had made those feelings clear when she had appeared at Sarum Lacy House before. Archie had no intention of seeking companionship with Wilhelmina.
“I think what he really wants is to know what happened to Gwendolene,” Lavinia replied, persisting in her line of questioning, even as Wilhelmina shook her head.
“He knows what happened to her, she died of a sickness. It was a tragedy. He needs to move on; to leave the past where it belongs, in the churchyard,” Wilhelmina said.
Lavinia did not push the matter further. She did not feel comfortable in Wilhelmina’s company, and now she wondered what Wilhelmina intended by the gift of marzipan, and her visit to Sarum Lacy House. Did she really think Archie was interested in her? The question of Archie’s interest in Lavinia herself nowarose, and she wondered if Wilhelmina might not see her as competition.
“You and Archie have known one another a long time, haven’t you?” Lavinia said, making conversation, even as she would gladly have not had Wilhelmina’s company to contend with.
“We go back a long way, yes. We’re very good friends. We always have been. The closest of friends, in fact,” she said.
Lavinia smiled. She knew it was not the case. Archie had no love for Wilhelmina. He had no like for her, either. His actions toward her made his feelings clear enough, and Lavinia had never once heard him utter a kind word about her.
If Wilhelmina thought there was the chance of something occurring between them, she was surely mistaken. But as for her intentions, Lavinia was uncertain. Was she attempting to court Archie, or was she rather seeking to drive a wedge between him and any woman who might pose a challenge?
“I see,” Lavinia replied, and Wilhelmina glanced at her, the smile on her face breaking just for a moment…
“Yes, I wouldn’t be surprised if he asked me to marry him at some point in the next few months. It’s been coming, you know,” Wilhelmina said.
Lavinia did not believe this for a moment. It simply was not true. There was no question of Archie asking Wilhelmina to marry him. Unless…
If he has, I’ve entirely misunderstood him.
Yet she knew that Archie had never expressed any desire, nor any intention, of marrying Wilhelmina.
The thought of it was astonishing. Why would she choose him? It was ludicrous.
“Do you think so?” Lavinia asked, and her tone was more questioning than perhaps it should have been, for it caused Wilhelmina to pause, and turn to her, her eyes narrowing as she spoke.
“Yes, I do. Why, should I be afraid he might ask you?” she replied, and despite the forced smile on her face, there was something altogether menacing about her words…
Chapter 26
“I don’t think anyone should be afraid of a marriage proposal,” Lavinia said, trying to laugh the matter off, even as she realized she had again said the wrong thing.
Wilhelmina pursed her lips, and it seemed as though she was making a supreme effort to maintain her composure.
“No, they shouldn’t, should they? But you and Archie… am I to take it you’ve grown close during these past few weeks. You’ve not outstayed your welcome?” Wilhelmina asked.
Lavinia blushed. She and Archiehadgrown close over the previous few weeks, during the time she and her mother had spent at Sarum Lacy House. At first, she had not particularly liked the baron, but little by little, her feelings toward him had changed. They had grown stronger. Theyweregrowing stronger, and the more she thought about it, the more Lavinia hoped something might come of their unexpected friendship. But as for forcing the matter…
“Well, I suppose you’d have to ask him that,” Lavinia replied.
