Page 25 of A Daring Pursuit

Miss Hale turned to her. “Isn’t that right, Miss Wimbley?”

Geneva gathered her wits and narrowed her eyes on the woman, attempting to fathom this unexpected action. The motive was vastly clear. Miss Hale wished to silence her and knew that Geneva could out her just as quickly. “Yes. Yes. That’s right.”

“What?” Abra’s shock, of course, was not a surprise, but with Mr. Oshea’s piercing, gray eyes trained on Geneva, she couldn’t even send her friend a pleading glance. Could only look in her direction and give her an innocent blink and hope.

It was enough. Abra’s lips tightened and she remained quiet.

“Yes,” Miss Hale went on. “Miss Wimbley has confessed she didn’t have the wherewithal to bring an appropriate wardrobe with her.” Her nonchalance grated.

Suspicion fleeted Mr. Oshea’s face. “And, you, uh, so kindly offered to assist her.” He raked a gaze over Geneva. “Hmm.”

Her face burned. She lifted her chin. All she had was her pride, but, blast it, it was hers.

“That’s enough, Noah,” Miss Hale snapped. “Miss Wimbley cannot help her circumstances.”

“You know nothing of my circumstances,Miss Hale.” Geneva’s jaw ached. It was clenched so tightly, she barely managed coherent words.

But the woman was an expert in redirection and acted as if Geneva hadn’t spoken. “Pack an overnight bag—” She stopped, eyeing Geneva’s frock so critically, it was all Geneva could do to not storm to her chamber and slam the door. “I retract that. Don’t bother packing, Miss Wimbley. You shan’t need a thing.” She turned to Mr. Oshea. “We shall leave for Chaston and return in the morning.”

“Meaning two in the afternoon?” Mr. Oshea retorted.

Miss Hale shrugged.

“No. You’ll stay for supper and I shall drive you to Chaston tonight and return for you in the morning by nine as we discussed.” He spoke pointedly.

Her eyes went over Geneva’s day gown again. “Fine.”

This time, Geneva did send Abra a pleading glance regardless of who witnessed it.

And, of course, Abra came to Geneva’s humiliating rescue. “I’m certain I have a fitting garment Geneva can don for supper.”

Mr. Oshea inclined his head in a sharp nod. “We meet in the library at seven.” His gaze swept over the three of them. “I’m thrilled to see no one is upon their deathbed.”

With that, he took Miss Hale’s arm in a firm grip and they departed.

“But I don’t wish to go to dinner,” Geneva wailed before pulling herself up. “Did you know the Duke of Rathbourne has arrived?”

Abra groaned. “Are you sure?”

“When I snuck into the earl’s suite, Miss Hale was in there going through his belongings,” she said, nodding.

“What the devil was she doing going through his belongings? Why does she want you to stay the night with her?”

“An excellent question. And I don’t know.”

“You take my word for it, Gen, Miss Hale is trouble and does nothing if there is no benefit in it for her.”

“I take your point.” Geneva tapped her chin, seeing Miss Hale’s smugness and Mr. Oshea’s near-to-fraying temper. “I expect I’ll learn something from this idiotic turn of events.”

“Perhaps. Don’t dawdle.” Abra went to her bedchamber door and opened it. “I’ve been dying to rid you of those ill-fitting frocks you seem to favor. We must hurry. You too, Pasha. We require your expertise.”

A grin split the maid’s face and Geneva decided it was a conspiracy. “Yes, milady.”

“I was hoping you’d forgotten,” she muttered.

Abra pierced her with a smug look over her shoulder. “Unless youwantto make an entrance.”

Geneva hurried after them. “My worst nightmare.”

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