Secrets of Sloane House(89)
“She asked me to convey her thanks to you, by the way. If not for your willingness to rouse out of a deep sleep to repair her hair and gown, she wouldn’t have been able to go home with no one the wiser.”
“It was nothing. I was glad to help.”
“Everything happens for a reason, isn’t that so? I guess it was fortuitous that you were staying here.”
“I can’t help but wish that she hadn’t been . . . attacked.”
“That goes without saying.”
“Children, go to the sideboard and fix yourselves a plate of breakfast,” Mrs. Armstrong said as she entered the room.
“Mother, I’m not hungry.”
“I imagine you are not, but that hardly matters. Eat. We have a long day ahead of us, Reid.”
He stared at his mother for the span of two beats, then nodded and stood up. “You’re right, of course.”
Mrs. Armstrong pointedly looked at Rosalind. “You too, Rosalind. You won’t make Eloisa’s day brighter by refusing to eat. I can promise you that.”
The commonsense advice sounded so like something her own mother would say that Rosalind got to her feet and dutifully followed the instruction. As she took a generous spoonful of eggs and a rasher of bacon, Reid winked.
“My mother is a force to be reckoned with,” he teased.
“So I am learning.” After adding two pieces of toast to her plate, she returned to her place, content to eat quietly while Reid and his mother discussed plans they had previously made.
She concentrated on pushing her troubles to one side and consuming her small breakfast, paying little attention to talk about Mrs. Armstrong’s dress fitting and Reid’s intention to visit the bank at the end of the week. But then their conversation turned to Douglass and Veronica. Almost immediately, it became apparent that they were planning to go to Sloane House—without her.
All traces of her appetite vanished.
Reid apparently noticed that she pushed the last triangle of her toast to one side and guessed what she was thinking. “I hope you are not disappointed that you will not be joining us?” he asked.
She couldn’t imagine why they wouldn’t want her to be there. “Forgive me, but I think I need to go as well.”
Reid looked a bit taken aback by her firm manner. “That is not a good idea.”
“I don’t understand why that is a concern,” she said pertly.
“I beg your pardon?”
“None of what has happened has been a good idea,” she explained. “That is what I meant.”
Reid and his mother exchanged a long look.
As if taking up the gauntlet that had just been passed, Mrs. Armstrong spoke. “Rosalind, I can understand your need to keep involved. But your appearance would only cause concern.”
Rosalind thought quickly. “You don’t need to make me out to be your equal, ma’am. I could go as your companion.”
“But I will be there. She won’t need a companion if she isn’t alone,” Reid pointed out.
Rosalind waved her hands. “Then be unusual. I just feel like I need to be there.” Looking beseechingly at Mrs. Armstrong, she pressed her case. “Please.”
The older woman stared at her a long moment, her mouth set in a grim line. “Rosalind, other factors need to be taken in consideration as well. I fear our visit is going to be difficult.”
“Which would be putting it mildly,” Reid interjected.
Mrs. Armstrong continued. “All things considered, I would rather you not be there to get mixed up in it. They could say some harsh things that I’d rather you not hear.”
Rosalind wondered if Mrs. Armstrong had any idea about things that happened and were said outside the stately walls of her beautiful home. “I appreciate your concern, ma’am, but I think it’s only fair that you allow me to make this decision. After all, I am already involved. And my journey here began because my sister went missing. It’s possible that we’ll learn something about Miranda.”
“I’m afraid this has every indication of being a volatile conversation,” Reid warned.
“I promise I will sit quietly.”
“I don’t feel good about this, but I suppose we have no choice.”
Reid looked resigned. “But, Rosalind,” he continued, “if I allow you to accompany us, you must remain in the background. Let me drive the conversation. Any interference on your part will only make things worse.”
“I promise. I’ll be quiet and unobtrusive.”
Gazing at her, he shook his head. “If only that was something you could do.”
When she met his eyes, her heart flipped a bit. Suddenly, she understood that he wasn’t only speaking of the visit to Sloane House. He was talking about them.