Page 51 of Crash Landing
Florence nodded. “I am.”
“Oh, hell. She told you something, didn’t she?”
“Yes.”
“And you are going to do something about it, aren’t you?”
Florence nodded again.
How could she not when Lady Frampton was taking this big risk upon herself?
Chapter Nine
“Ineed youropinion. I’m not sure what to do.”
Trajan pursed his lips as he sat beside Florence in a shaded arbor on the terrace, both of them sipping lemonade while she related in detail all that was said during her tea with Lady Frampton.
He was pleased she trusted him enough to confide in him, and this gave him reason to quietly cheer and put him in good humor, since the hot day and weight of his work had dampened his spirit.
It did not help that he had also worried about Florence the entire time.
He eased back in his chair and stretched his legs before him as a light breeze blew off the water, offering some relief from the sweltering heat. But it was not nearly enough to cool him down after all those hours spent confined in the study with his cousins, his sleeves rolled up and his shirt collar unbuttoned. He ought to have made himself more presentable.
But Florence did not seem to mind his informality, so he remained as he was and simply sat back in comfort. “So far, you’ve told me about embroidery and tea blends. What is the real heart of concern that has you seeking my opinion about Lady Frampton’s visit?”
She leaned forward, her voice softening to a whisper. “She said that she was going to give me some rose cuttings for your gardener.”
“So?”
“Then she whispered that she will have something else for mewithin the carton of cuttings. I think she was referring to those letters she stole from Lady Simmons. Oh, Trajan, now that I have met her, I am truly worried for her. I had not expected Lady Frampton to be as nice as she was. Well, I had no idea what to expect. It was awful of me not to give this any consideration at all until today. My mind was so fixed on my task, I did not regard her as a person with a heart or feelings, just someone to manipulate into giving me back those letters.”
“And now you think she is going to turn them over to you because of what she said?”
“It was more in the way she looked around furtively before she whispered in my ear, making certain that ogre of a watchdog did not overhear. Why take that precaution if it were not about those letters? Which leads to another problem.”
“What is this new concern?” he asked, although he was fairly certain he understood where this was going.
“If I am right and she does turn them over to me, then her husband is going to notice them missing and might blame her. What if he hurts her? How can I let this happen?”
“You cannot control every potential situation. It is quite possible he will never suspect her. After all, she did his bidding when stealing those letters. I only spent a few minutes greeting her, but she did not appear to be the sort ever to defy him.”
Florence let out a breath. “She seemed awfully sweet and kind in my opinion, too. But there must be a measure of spine in her, because that so-called maid watches her like a hawk. Why would he assign that humorless woman to his wife if he weren’t concerned about her loyalty?”
Trajan would have grinned at the remark if it weren’t for the seriousness of the situation. “Oh, I expect his concern was more about you. He had to be wary of the young lady he knows was spying on him from the shelter of the woods. He realizes you are too independentand likely to do something reckless, such as stealing back those letters.”
“How could he think I would when he does not know me at all?”
“His nature is to be distrustful, especially of pretty, green-eyed strangers who climb trees to peek into his home with their binoculars.”
“He cannot be sure it was me,” she grumbled. “But that watchdog had her eyes on Lady Frampton as much as she had them on me. She was there mostly to keep tight control on his wife. I’m certain of it.” Florence sighed. “I would suffocate if forced to live like that. Perhaps this is why she wants to help me. She would gain a measure of freedom for herself if he were brought to justice.”
“Florence, tread carefully. We have no idea what goes on between the Framptons. Do not read too much into her words.”
“How can I not? It is the whispers and furtive glances, you see. She must have heard her husband talking about those letters and knows he will try to stop me from getting them.”
He frowned. “So, now you are back on this mad quest to steal the letters?”
“I would be reclaiming them. It isn’t the same as stealing. But I don’t know what I should do. This is why I am trying to talk it through with you. I trust your judgment.”
