A Lady Never Tells(19)

“We were beginning to think something dreadful had happened to you.” Lily’s voice was concerned—and just the slightest bit hopeful.

“I am not primping!” Mary whirled around. Her eyes went first to Sir Royce, who was now lounging beside the fireplace, one arm resting on the mantel, watching her. Had he thought she was primping for him?

She lifted her chin challengingly and swung away from him, going over to sit down on the couch beside Rose. “Nothing happened. Well, nothing helpful. I was thoroughly embarrassed, but I am beginning to think that will not be an uncommon occurrence in this country.”

“Did you not find our grandfather?” Lily asked.

“I found his house. But they would not let me inside.”

“He denied us?” Rose stared at her, shocked.

“No, not him . His servants would not let me in. They sent me round to the back door!”

Sir Royce smothered a groan, and Mary turned to glare at him. “You people are insufferably rude. Why would anyone tell their servants to behave like that? To treat people as if, as if they were—well, he called me a hussy!”#p#分页标题#e#

Her sisters erupted into gasps and exclamations. Sir Royce just closed his eyes and sighed. “Oh, dear.”

“Oh, dear?” Mary repeated. “That’s all you have to say?”

“No. Of course not. It was quite dastardly of him.” A grin quirked the corners of his mouth. “Shall I call the fellow out? No, that would not do; he is, after all, a servant. I could demand satisfaction from his employer, of course—but then, he is your grandfather, so that would scarcely work. Perhaps I should just give the scoundrel a good thrashing.”

“Oh, stop making jests. No doubt that is exactly the sort of thing you instruct your servants to do as well. The butler told me I should leave a card, but of course I didn’t have one, and then he said I should write a note and the earl would see me if he wished to. But he will probably just tear it up if I am not there to explain it all to him.”

“The earl?” Sir Royce’s eyebrows rose. “Your grandfather is a peer?”

“You needn’t look so amazed.” Mary crossed her arms and glared at him. “It is quite true. Our grandfather is the Earl of Stewkesbury.”

The effect of their relative’s name on Sir Royce was astounding. He stiffened, his face going rigid and carefully blank. The casual arm draped along the mantel dropped to his side as he took a swift step forward.

“What?” His voice was as cold and brittle as ice, as stinging in its force. “Is this some sort of jest? Or was all this an elaborate ruse, designed to pull me into your little scheme?”





Chapter 4




Mary and her sisters gaped at Sir Royce in astonishment. He had changed in an instant into the very picture of a haughty aristocrat. Even his calm was different—now the silent intensity of a predator.

“Well?” he snapped when they said nothing. “Answer me! Was that arranged last night—did you plan it to draw me into your swindle? Am I intended to be your means to get to the earl?”

Anger flooded Mary, releasing her from stunned inaction, and she jumped to her feet. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about! But I can assure you that I have no swindle in mind. Do you think I arranged for a thief to steal our papers just so we could meet you? I must say, you have an awfully grand idea of your importance. I didn’t know you last night; I still don’t, beyond what you yourself have told me. And I have even less notion of what you have to do with the earl!”

“You think we’re imposters!” Lily exclaimed, looking less indignant than intrigued at the idea. “That we are like the wicked Cynthia Montrose, taking the place of the Lady Anna while her horrid brother keeps Anna locked up in the dungeon!” She turned to her sisters, explaining, “They wanted the old lord’s money, you see, and they thought to trick him out of it by pretending Cynthia was his daughter, only—”

“Yes, I understand what Sir Royce thinks of us.” Mary’s eyes flashed. “He believes we are scheming adventuresses. He must also think we are rather spectacular in our abilities. Not only did we arrange for someone to steal our case and dash past him with it, we also knew that he would be stepping out of that door at exactly that moment. I’d like to know how he thinks we managed that! Perhaps he’d also like to tell us why we should set up this elaborate farce for him when it is the Earl of Stewkesbury whom we want to reach.”

Royce gazed at her for another long, considering moment, but Mary could see him subtly relax. “Do you honestly not know who I am?”