Page 82 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“Yes, ma’am,” Tim’s gaze shot to Finn, who nodded his agreement that the young man’s presence was no longer needed.
“Why don’t you come along with me, Miss Macie?” Mrs. Tuttle said, her tone more motherly than usual. “I’ll put on a pot of tea while I ready the morning meal.”
“Thank you,” Macie said.
Mrs. Tuttle sent Finn a speaking glance. “I trust you’ll be joining her, Mr. Caldwell,” she said. “I presume the two of you have a bit to discuss.”
*
Macie nibbled half-heartedlyat her toast and marmalade. Given the news the young messenger had delivered, it was all she could do to take a few bites. Finn sat within arm’s reach, his appetite heartier than hers, though the furrows on his forehead betrayed his tense thoughts.
My, the morning had certainly taken a turn, hadn’t it? She’d awakened shortly after dawn, gloriously contented following a delicious interlude in Finn’s bed. Pity she had not been able to spend every moment of the night in his arms. In the all-too-briefmoments they’d shared together, he’d caressed her so tenderly, she had marveled at the wonder of it all. She’d never dreamt a man’s touch could be so very gentle, yet so commanding and sensual. Finn had stirred her body and soul to heights of pleasure unlike any she’d ever experienced. And then, later, in her own chamber, she’d drifted to sleep, luxuriating in dreams of his warm, strong body. When she’d opened her eyes as the early rays of sunlight drifted through the windows, even though she was alone, she’d been utterly content. Even Mrs. Tuttle’s stern look when she spotted Macie roaming about at all hours of the night had not diminished her happiness.
Pity the bliss had been regrettably short-lived. The sound of the messenger at the door had stirred Macie to full alertness. Something was wrong. She knew that, even before the reluctant young man had conveyed the upsetting news.
“It’s quite sad that the old professor didn’t recover,” she said, taking a sip of tea. “But I see little reason to worry. Poison is a highly personal means to commit a murder, or so I’ve read. If he was indeed killed by a toxin, he had to have been targeted... most likely by someone he knew.”
Finn stirred a cube of sugar into his tea. “We know there is a common thread that links the two of ye.”
“My grandfather.”
He nodded. “The connection is too close to dismiss.”
Mrs. Tuttle bustled through the door to the dining room. “Miss Macie, you have another visitor. She says she’s here for teatime.”
“Teatime? Surely Mrs. Johnstone did not misunderstand—”
“No, Macie, I did not mistake yer meaning,” Mrs. Johnstone said as she strolled through the doorway.The Red Queen from the masquerade. In her beautifully tailored tweed walking suit, the tall, strikingly beautiful woman whose abundance of dark hair was threaded with silver cut an imperious figure evenwithout her faux crown. In her right hand, she held a large yellow parasol, while a small black reticule dangled from her left wrist.
“I asked her to wait in the parlor,” Mrs. Tuttle said, displaying her exasperation as Mrs. Johnstone leaned her brolly against a side chair, appearing to make herself at home.
“I do apologize for the intrusion, but time is of the essence.” Mrs. Johnstone’s mouth thinned, taut with tension. “I understand ye’ve received the unpleasant news.”
Macie sent her housekeeper a speaking glance. “Might I trouble you to put on another pot of tea?”
“’Tis no trouble,” Mrs. Tuttle said, making a quick exit.
Macie met Mrs. Johnstone’s solemn gaze. “You are referring to the man who died last night?”
She offered a matter-of-fact nod, then turned to Finn. “Ye haven’t told her, have ye?”
Finn shook his head. “I’d intended to explain it all before ye arrived for tea.”
She nodded her understanding. “Sadly, certain aspects of this situation are quite troubling. Amelia did not think I should delay my arrival, not even until later in the day.”
A sudden tension filled Macie. “Would you be so kind as to tell me what is happening?”
“Shall we cut to the heart of the matter?” Mrs. Johnstone adjusted her skirts and seated herself in a wingchair. “My dear friend, Amelia MacLain, has requested a favor of me. She believes ye may be in need of my services.”
Macie’s brow furrowed. “Your services?”
“In view of recent developments, there’s reason to suspect ye may be in danger.”
“In danger?” Macie shot Finn a pointed glance. “Should I expect that everyone you’ve ever known will greet me with that warning?”
Finn rubbed the back of his neck as if it suddenly ached. “It’s tempting to believe the threat ended with old man’s passing, but we cannot take any chances.”
Mrs. Johnstone nodded her agreement. “The situation with the intruder at Bennington Manor is quite troubling.”
