Page 30 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
Macie quirked a brow. “Just one thing?”
“This was not the first time I’ve seen that gentleman.”
A slight jolt of alarm coursed through Macie. “Here?”
Nell nodded. “I noticed him one day last week. If memory serves, you were inside, fiddling with your camera. I’d come out onto the porch for a breath of cool air when I saw a posh carriage roll up.” She toyed with the lacy scarf at her throat. “The man descended from the coach, took a brief look about the area, then looked away as soon as he saw me. Moments later, he entered the carriage, and it rattled off as suddenly as it had arrived.”
“You’re certain it was the same man?”
“I am not absolutely sure.” Nell’s brows knit together in a frown. “But I do believe the man we saw today was in that carriage. I cannot help but wonder why someone—even if he was indeed an acquaintance of your grandfather—would come here on two separate occasions, only to turn and leave without ever saying a word.”
Chapter Ten
Punctuality was avirtue Macie had never aspired to possess. Since she was a girl, her family had teased thatMacie-timecould not be accurately measured by the hands on a clock. It wasn’t that she did not want to follow a schedule or did not attempt to arrive at appointments at the arranged time. Rather, it was a matter of her keen interest in the pursuits that captured her attention. From the days in her childhood when she sat in the garden, painting flowers with her watercolors, to these enjoyable moments expressing her creativity through the lens of her camera, she’d immersed herself in the creative challenges she found fascinating. And in the process, her awareness of time faded into the background. So, when Nell’s pointed tones cut through the pleasant tranquility she’d found behind the camera that afternoon, Macie was not surprised she’d lost track of time.
“Macie, I don’t want to bethat personwho goes about reminding others about the virtues of punctuality.” Nell made a point of tapping the small watch she wore pinned to her lapel.
“But we really must be running along if we are going to make it to Lady Yarbury’s soiree.” Macie flashed a little smile. “I suspect your concern has less to do with punctuality than with the expected presence of that dashing viscount who recently returned from an expedition. Lord... Lord Highbrow. Something like that.”
“As you well know, his name is Daniel Craigston.” Interest flashed in Nell’s eyes as she uttered the Egyptologist’s name. “I understand he is quite esteemed in his field.”
Macie could not help but grin at the enthusiasm in her friend’s voice. “I hear he is very much available.”
“He is. For now,” Nell said with a conspiratorial tone. “If we hurry, I’ll have time to slip into something a bitlesssensible.”
Macie quirked a brow. “A bit more decadent, perhaps?”
“Oh, dear. Have you developed the ability to read my mind?” Nell teased.
“I know you very well. Neither of us possesses a talent for disguising our thoughts and feelings.”
“How very true.” Nell smiled. “Perhaps one of Professor Craigston’s colleagues will be in attendance this evening. Wouldn’t it be something if you fell for an explorer? The mere thought of riding off on an expedition through the desert heats my blood.”
“Does it now?”
“Ah, yes.” Nell’s voice was ever so slightly breathless. “I can imagine how dashing he might be, atop an Arabian stallion, riding off into the sunset.”
Macie’s brows lifted higher. “With you, of course?”
Nell’s cheeks flushed. “Of course. Heading off to some vibrant oasis.”
“Goodness, what sorts of sensation novels have you been reading lately?”
“The best kind,” Nell replied coyly. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll have an equally dashing friend for you.”
“Explorers come in pairs, do they?” Macie said dryly.
“I would imagine so,” Nell said with a hopeful tone. “No one in his right mind would go into one of those dusty old tombs on his own. Can you imagine being swept up into an expedition with a rugged archaeologist?”
“Oh, I can see it now. My skirts flapping in the wind as I struggle to balance on some cantankerous camel’s hump. Perhaps my daring explorer will catch me before I fall face-first into the sand.”
“You never know. A daring explorer might be precisely the one for you.”
“Only if he has a lofty title. That’s the only thing that will make my father happy.”
Nell’s smile faded. “But does that really matter?”
“I suppose not. I’m not willing to tie myself to some highborn dolt simply to satisfy Papa’s wishes.” Macie pictured her beautiful, vivacious mother. So lively. So filled with joy. And so very happy with the man she had vowed to love until her last breath. “If Mum had cared about titles and all that nonsense, she would never have given my father a kiss, let alone two children. Papa had scarcely a shilling to his name when he proposed. And she’s never regretted saying ‘yes.’”
