Page 54 of Bargaining for the Barrister
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Louisa hid from Mr. Davies and his sister in the library later that afternoon, only to be discovered instead by Lady Kellen, who moved into the room to speak with her. “How was your ride?”
Feelings of betrayal surfaced, and Louisa attempted to recall Paul’s words about Lady Kellen’s intentions. Dwelling on her frustrations made it impossible to talk herself into being happy like she’d practiced for so long. Sighing inwardly, she thought of at least one positive thing she could offer up for conversation. “I rode Misty. She had just enough spirit to keep the ride interesting.”
“Misty is a fine horse, but how was your company?” Lady Kellen ran her hand along the back of a sofa before coming to perch on the arm at the end.
Louisa pushed her lips into a small smile. “I admit I will be happy when Mr. Davies takes his leave.”
“Yes, I will be too.” Lady Kellen sighed. “I cannot forgive myself for Saturday night’s dinner party. Though, I have no reason to assume Mr. Davies will act the same, unless you do.”
Louisa thought of Paul’s willingness to hurry along the errand of getting rid of Mr. Davies and almost wished she had taken him up on the offer. “I do wish to discourage Mr. Davies’s attentions, but I’m sure a few more days will be harmless enough.”
“I cannot slander your brother,” Lady Kellen began, “but why would he speak well of Mr. Turner and Mr. Davies to me? I never would have dared invite them without his good opinion.”
“My brother means well, but he spends the majority of his time at work. I daresay Logan does not know either of them well beyond their interest in me, nor does he know the first thing about finding a husband for his sister. I was quite surprised when he took pains to look into Mr. Sheldon’s character before our arrival here.”
“He is a good man, your brother, and he was right to agree to help. Marriage is not an easy matter for a young lady without a proper chaperone in Society. Perhaps, in time, he will let me find him a wife.”
This made Louisa want to laugh. “He is not quite as easy to persuade as I am.”
“No, men never are. But once he sees the felicity you’ve found with Mr. Sheldon, Mr. Cox will be begging for my help.”
Biting the insides of her cheeks was the best she could do to keep from laughing at the absurdity of Lady Kellen’s words. She and Paul, happy? Hardly. Though, she was sure he cared more for her than he let on, which led her back to the reason for her anger toward Lady Kellen. The thought chased away any reason she had to laugh. Now was as good a time as ever to ask about it. “Did you pair me with Mr. Sheldon because he has need of my dowry?”
Lady Kellen’s brows lifted. “Your dowry? Good heavens, no. The Rothbrier estate is quite solvent. Mr. Sheldon has only to ask his parents for anything and they would supply it. Why would you assume such a notion?”
Confusion muddled Louisa’s thinking. Then, why had Paul said he was waiting for money? Truly, she could not explain it. “I have heard that many barristers do not make much money in their early years of employment.”
“Mr. Sheldon is passionate about the law, and I’ve heard he has real talent, but it is his mother’s hope that he retires from such a business after he marries. He has no real need to work.”
“I see.” She didn’t truly see, but no further questions stumbled to her mind.
“Do find me if you think of anything else you’d like to speak to me about. It was lovely visiting one on one with you for a bit, but alas, I must be off to check on our other guests before I leave. Do make yourself comfortable. I promise not to reveal your location.” With her fingers, she made a turning motion against her lips, as if locking them.
“You are going somewhere?”
“Did I not tell you? I have another meeting with my musical club this afternoon.”
Louisa squeezed the book in her lap. “Oh? You certainly meet often. Who is hosting today?”
“Brookeside is sadly lacking in representing the arts, so we must meet frequently if we want to implement changes in the degree we hope to. Mrs. Sheldon was kind enough to host this time.”
Louisa’s mind raced. They couldn’t be planning something else, could they? Not after Mr. Turner. This time it was surely a meeting about music and nothing more. “Do have a good time.”
Lady Kellen gave her a smile as sweet and as genuine as if she were Louisa’s own mother before exiting the library. Louisa inched to the edge of her seat, unsure what to do. If the agenda revolved around her and Paul, someone had to hear what the matrons were planning next. No more nonsense could occur. Her heart couldn’t take it.
Several minutes passed before she reached a decision and set her unopened book aside. There was only one real course of action once she considered the facts. She must ride to Rothbrier and discover for herself what this musical club was up to. Reaching the door, she peered through the open crack, searching for any sign of the Davieses or Lady Kellen. When all she saw was a lonely corridor, she slipped out and went directly to the billiards room. Empty. Where else would Lord Reynolds be hiding?
She returned to the corridor and saw a maid dusting in the music room. Louisa leaned her head inside the room. “Do you know where I can find Lord Reynolds?”
“No, miss. You might ask the butler, Mr. Green.”
“Thank you.” Louisa hurried back down the corridor in search of the butler. Unfortunately, not a soul stood by the front door, as no more guests were expected. She quickly gave up her search and went and changed back into her riding habit. She hoped Misty was up for a second ride, but she had no plans of what to do when she arrived at Rothbrier. It would be unseemly to visit Paul—especially unchaperoned. And whatever happened, Lady Kellen and the other matrons could not see her.
She was almost to the front door when Geraldine stepped out of the drawing room.
“There you are, Miss Cox. We just sent a maid in search of you.” She frowned. “Why have you not changed out of your riding habit?”
