Page 42 of The Paid Companion

“Ibbitts knows why I am here, and he made it clear that he will not hesitate to use the information for his own purposes. When his lordship learns that his plans are in ruins, he will no longer need my services. I thought I might as well pack and make ready to leave.”

“This is absurd.”

“Hardly.” Elenora sighed. “I confess that I’ve had a feeling all along that St. Merryn’s elaborate charade was doomed to fail.”

She straightened and surveyed the bedchamber, aware of an odd sense of loss that had nothing to do with financial matters. She did not want to leave, she realized, and not just because it meant that she would be obliged to go through the dreary process of finding another post.

It wasn’t the house she would miss, it was the little thrill of delight that went through her every time she walked into one of the rooms and saw Arthur.

Stop this maudlin behavior at once. You do not have time to indulge yourself in brooding thoughts. You must concentrate on the future.

“My dear Elenora, this is terrible,” Margaret declared. “I’m quite sure there is some mistake. You can’t leave. Please, do not make any hasty decisions until after you have spoken with Arthur. I’m certain he can straighten this out.”

Elenora shook her head. “But I do not see how he can continue to use me in his scheme as he intended. The entire project has been compromised by Ibbitts.”

“Arthur is very resourceful. I’m sure he will find a way to proceed with his plan.”

The sound of carriage wheels in the street drew Elenora to the window. She looked down and watched Arthur get out of the coach. He carried a large package under one arm, and he looked quite serious.

“The earl has returned,” she said to Margaret. “I had best go down and conclude this affair.”

“I will come with you.” Margaret hurried to follow. “I’m sure this will all come right.”

“I do not see how,” Elenora said, trying not to show any trace of the sad emotions she could feel churning deep inside. “His lordship has no further need of my services.”

“Allow me to tell you, my dear,” Margaret continued as they went down the stairs, “that when it comes to Arthur, it is best not to try to predict his actions. The only thing one can say about him with any great certainty is that once he sets a course, it is almost impossible to make him change it. Just ask anyone in the family.”

Sally and Ned stood anxiously in the hall, talking quietly. When they saw Elenora and Margaret, they broke off their conversation. They both looked stricken.

“What is it?” Elenora asked. “Has something else happened?”

“It’s Ibbitts, ma’am,” Ned said. “He’s in the library with his lordship this very minute. There’s no telling what lies he’s feeding to the master.”

Margaret glowered. “What makes him think that St. Merryn will take his word over Elenora’s?”

“I don’t know, ma’am,” Sally whispered. “But Ibbitts was smiling when he went into the library.” She shivered. “I’ve seen that smile before.”

15

Arthur leaned back in his chair and watched Ibbitts closely while the butler told his tale.

“I assure you, there’s no great harm done, sir,” Ibbitts concluded with grave sincerity. “I won’t breathe a word about your secret plans.”

“Indeed?”

“Of course not, sir.” Ibbitts raised his noble chin and set his broad shoulders. “I am nothing if not loyal to you.”

“You say Miss Lodge let the secret slip when she tried to lure you into her bedchamber?”

“Naturally, I did not accept the invitation, sir, even though she was dressed in nothing but a white linen nightgown trimmed with little blue ribbons. I take my responsibilities to my post very seriously.”

“I see.”

Ibbitts sighed. “In fairness, you should not place too much blame on Miss Lodge’s frail shoulders.”

“Why do you say that?”

Ibbitts made a tut-tutting sound. “A lady of her age and station in life has little hope of contracting any sort of respectable marriage, does she? Her sort has no choice but to look elsewhere when the urge takes ’em, if you know what I mean.”

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