Page 85 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
He went across and tugged the bell pull. Flora stared in surprise when the housekeeper came in.
‘Ah, Mrs Goole,’ said Matt. ‘Perhaps you would fetch the letters we talked of earlier.’
‘No need, sir, I have them right here.’ She disappeared back into the hall, returning, moments later, carrying a leather document wallet. ‘I fetched it just after I heard he’d left his mistress and his men behind to die—begging your pardon for listening at the door.’ She handed the wallet to Matt. ‘There you are, it was in his desk, just as I thought. He keeps the study locked, but I have a key, of course.’
She patted the chatelaine hanging around her waist.
‘Why, you—!’ Whilton started forward, but the Earlwas quicker, blocking his way. ‘What the devil do you think you are doing, woman?’
The housekeeper glowered at him.
‘I am giving you your own again!’ she raged. ‘You are so puffed up in your own conceit you thought you could install your wife here and still have me to warm your bed whenever it suited you! Did you really think I would stay, once you brought another woman into my house? Acting as if that title of yours had made you some sort of god, ordering things as you please! Well, you had the wrong sow by the ear this time,my lord. I am no mutton-headed doxy, waiting around for your pleasure. I’ll be off from here in the morning and we’ll see how you like that!’
‘You can’t!’ he screamed at her. ‘I won’t let you.’
‘Oh, yes, you will and you’ll leave me in peace, too, or there’s tales I can spread about you, sir, that will shock your fine neighbours!’
Matt grinned, impressed at this interchange.
‘Bravo, Mrs Goole,’ he murmured, ‘That’s telling him!’
She sniffed. ‘I believe in pound-dealing, sir, and it took me a long while to realise that His Lordship don’t. And his forcing Miss Warenne to marry him is something I don’t hold with,’ she ended, giving Flora a look that might have been an apology.
‘No, neither do we,’ said Conham. ‘Thank you for your assistance, Mrs Goole. Now, if you would liketo pack your bags, I shall hire a coach to call here in the morning and take you wherever you wish to go.’
He walked with her to the door and ushered her out of the room.
‘By heaven, you have a nerve, sir,’ exclaimed the Viscount with a savage laugh. ‘You treat a servant as if she were a duchess.’
‘Her bloodline may well be as noble as yours,’ Conham replied, his own lip curling in contempt. ‘In the course of our investigations we have discovered that your claim to that red lion rampant is dubious, to say the least. It is far more likely your family came originally from a small place in Scotland. Near Perth, I believe.’
The Viscount glared at him, his face blotched with suppressed fury, and Matt hoped the Earl had not gone too far. They had yet to agree a deal on the statue.
‘Now, let us finish this business and we will be on our way,’ said Conham, as if reading his mind. He drew a thick wad of notes from his coat. ‘I have the sum agreed here, plus papers that require your signature.’
Whilton scowled. ‘Yes, yes, if that is what it will take to get you out of my damned house, then let us do it now.’
Matt released the breath he had not realised he was holding before sharing with his friend a swift look of satisfaction.
Conham nodded. ‘Very well, you and I will go to your study and conclude the deal.’ His gaze rested thoughtfully on Flora, who was clearly labouring under some strong emotion, then he turned and looked at Matt. ‘No need for all three of us to go, my friend.’
Matt watched the two men walk out of the room and for a moment there was silence. He was wondering how to get Flora alone when Mrs Farnleigh threw up her hands and gave a little cry.
‘Oh, heavens, I was never so shocked in all my life!’ she cried, her voice wavering uncertainly.
‘There, there, my dear,’ said her husband, awkwardly patting her shoulder. ‘All’s well that ends well, eh?’
‘Perhaps, sir, you should order your carriage and take Mrs Farnleigh home now,’ Matt suggested. ‘His Lordship and I will convey Miss Warenne to Birchwood House once our business here is concluded.’ He walked across to Flora, smiling. ‘Well, my love, what do you say?’
‘Your love?’ She regarded him, her face unreadable, then her eyes blazed with fury. ‘Yourlove? Howdareyou?’
And with that she launched herself at him like a wildcat.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Flora pummelled Matt’s his chest with her fists. Hard. He caught her shoulders and held her off. Farnleigh was staring in astonishment and Matt jerked his head towards the door. He paused only long enough to see the man help his wife to her feet and lead her out of the room before addressing the termagant who was striving to attack him.
‘Flora, Flora, what have I done?’
