Page 38 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
While the Scotswoman enjoyed a cup of tea with Mrs. Gladington, and the fierce Mr. Duncan waited outside, his watchful eyes trained for threats, the real threat was written on expensive parchment and sealed with wax. Her fingers, stiff with trepidation, struggled to pluck the familiar seal free.
Mrs. Taylor,
Edith and I are gravely offended you’ve done so much to avoid us. As your former parents by marriage, we’d thought you’d like to visit and reminisce about our happy memories of Roderick.
But perhaps you’ve been reticent because you know you’ve taken an item you no longer enjoy a claim to. That ring has been in the Townsend family for over two hundred years, and while we never approved of your marriage to Roderick, we never thought you’d sink so low as to keep it. But considering your background, we can’t say we’re surprised.
We demand you return the ring to us or compensate us for its cost. And with such wealthy members of the ton now personal friends of yours, I’m sure it won’t be difficult for you to find the funds. Or, if you’d prefer, we could always inform your elevated friends of your lowly crime. It’s your choice.
Reginald Townsend
Fear and helplessness settled on her shoulders like a stone, and Charlotte sank onto her bed and buried her head in her hands. She clenched her eyes shut and locked her jaw to keep her panicked tears at bay as she realized her sand foundation had all but washed away.
She’d sold the ring for fifty pounds when she fled Bombay, although she knew it had been worth much more in sentiment and monetary value. There was no way she could repay her in-laws even that amount, let alone the true price of the ring.
And how her in-laws had learned of her connection to the Marquess of Inverray and his sister, she didn’t kn—
A shock of awareness made her gasp aloud. The man who had attempted to abduct her may have followed Mr. Duncan back to the foundling home. The Campbells’ connection to Little Windmill House was well known, had been celebrated at the fundraiser not days before. It would not have been difficult to learn of her employment at the Home after that.
If the Townsends approached Lord Inverray and Lady Flora with the accusation she was a thief, would they believe her over them? The uncertainty left her nauseated.
Chapter Fourteen
He was trying hard not to let annoyance show on his face, but Finlay wasn’t certain he was succeeding.
The Eddington musicale was not the first social event he’d been cajoled into attending, and it certainly wouldn’t be his last. He usually marched through the front door of such an event in much the same manner he did most things—armed with a smile and his quiver full of witty comments and compliments.
But for reasons he couldn’t name, he was finding his quiver, and his patience, strangely empty. This disturbed him because heneededto be charming. He needed to be approachable and willing to engage others in conversation, especially the influential men who meandered around him as guests. Showing how dedicated he was to the ideals of the opposition was key, especially since his father had been a conservative hardliner. If the men he was supposed to endear himself to gave him a wide berth because of it, he understood, but he feared his sudden reticence was making matters more challenging.
Finlay snagged a glass of champagne from a passing footman and took a healthy gulp, enjoying the way the effervescent drink danced across his palate. His enjoyment lasted for only a moment before he once again cursed Inverray for being late. The man was supposed to introduce him to party members, and yet the Scotsman was nowhere to be seen.
Blast him.
“Lord Firthwell?”
Finlay turned at the address, his eyes alighting on his hostess, Lady Eddington. The older woman batted her eyelashes as she smiled shyly at him, and if he was reading the signs correctly—and Finlay could always identify a merry widow or philandering wife from the other side of a ballroom—the woman was anything but shy. She was appealing, even at twice his age, but he didn’t dally with married women.
Holding his gaze, Lady Eddington turned to a gray-haired gentleman at her side. Gesturing to him with a bejeweled hand, she said, “Lord Mattonfeld, allow me to introduce you to Lord Firthwell.” The viscountess grabbed his arm, her fingers sinking into his skin as if he were a fish she’d finally lured close enough to catch. “My lord, the marquess expressed an interest in meeting you.”
The Marquess of Mattonfeld’s name had been almost a curse in his father’s vernacular. He was also a name Lord Matthews had included on his list of opposition leaders to court.
Pasting on a genial smile, he dipped his head in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord. Your reputation precedes you.”
The older man’s blue eyes twinkled. “I can imagine the vile claims Rockhaven told you of me.”
Finlay rubbed a hand along his jaw as he made a show of searching his memory. “He said, ‘Mattonfeld is the cleverest adder in Lords.’ Naturally, when I decided to stand for the Weobley seat, I knew I had to meet you.”
Mattonfeld’s deep chuckles briefly drowned out the other noise in the vicinity. A ghost of a smile was still present on his lips when the sound dissipated. “That’s the best non-compliment I’ve ever received.”
“I can only hope to receive such non-compliments,” Finlay quipped.
“Oh, I’m certain you’re used to receiving compliments, my lord.”Lady Eddington’s crooned comment made Finlay blink. He’d almost forgotten the woman was there, despite the fact her grip on his arm had not lessened.
He dipped his head until he could murmur in her ear. “But then some compliments are more coveted than others…especially when delivered by a lovely woman.”
She giggled and slapped his arm with her other hand. “Speaking of lovely women, my lord, have you met my daughter? Miss Eddington is standing by the pianoforte just there. She is quite the musical prodigy, you know.”
Finlay didn’t know, but then, musicales such as the one he found himself at were usually organized to showcase someone’s talents…someone very much like an unmarried daughter. Apparently, the woman’s flirtations were not for her own benefit.
