Page 58 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
“Many relationships have ceased because of less. But I suspect the rumors are to blame. As you may know I have buried two husbands, one too many for London’s superstitious nature. It is of no matter. I do not hold Lady Stanford in contempt for her caution. I might even applaud her wisdom.”
A smirk stole across the tiny woman’s angelic face, but it did not reach her eyes. There was heartache there, more than Susannah had witnessed in anyone other than her mother.
They were nearly to the red room when the subject of their conversation emerged, Sir Nathaniel supporting her.
“Miss Wayland, thank heavens you are here. Please fetch Eddie and meet us at the carriage.”
Susannah’s eyes widened. “Of course.” She turned to excuse herself, but Lady Braithwaite was already gone as if she’d vanished into thin air.
It did not take long to find Mr. Kendall, for he came hurrying toward her the moment she entered the first room.
“What has happened?” He asked in low tones as he turned her about and headed for the door.
“How did you—”
“Lady Braithwaite. She said I was needed urgently.”
“Your sister has taken ill. We are needed in the carriage.”
He said no more as they collected their things at the front door and rushed down the steps. Susannah's thoughts were jumbled. Concern, disappointment, and confusion fought for precedence, but in the end amazement and gratitude won out.
Lady Braithwaite’s quick action in finding Mr. Kendall had saved time and the upset of running into her aunt again. Or worse, seeing her cousin captivating John’s attention.
Chapter 19
Johnathan took the steps of Kendall House two at a time, an easy feat for his long legs. To his surprise, Javenia passed him up and was in the house before he’d even reached the front door. He glanced over his shoulder to see where she’d come from and noticed her father motion from the open carriage door.
Retracing his steps, he approached the older gentleman, noting Javenia’s mother and sisters within.
The man’s face looked haggard. “Lord Newhurst, I am relieved to see you here. I need to return my wife and daughters to the house, but I will return for Javenia in an hour's time. Will you be so kind as to make sure she does not do anything brash such as hailing a hack and racing across town?” Lord Upton glanced at the door and sighed. “Again.”
Johnathan bit back a smile. “I will do my best.”
“That is all we can do where Javenia is concerned, is it not?”
“Indeed.”
Lord Upton touched his hat, shut the door, and knocked on the roof. The carriage slowly pulled away, but Johnathan did not watch it go. Inside Kendall House he found Eddie pacing the front entry.
“What happened?” he asked.
Eddie stopped long enough to look at him and then motioned for him to follow him up to the second level where they found an empty sitting room. Johnathan took up the pink and cream brocade chair near the fire.
“I still cannot believe it, John.” Eddie sat across from him in a matching chair and stared into the fire. “After all these years.”
“I do not follow.”
“She talked to me.”
He squinted at Eddie, wondering if the stress had thoroughly stolen his senses. “I heard Melior was carried out of Lady Lincolnhurst’s house.”
Two slow blinks met his question, then Eddie’s vision seemed to clear. “Oh, yes. Melior.” He glanced down at his hands. “She is resting now. The doctor came and said her pain would pass. Nothing to worry about.”
Johnathan leaned forward until he caught Eddie’s gaze. “Then why are you so distressed? What are you not telling me, Eddie?”
His friend’s attention drifted to the fire. “I am not unwell, only surprised.”
“That Melior was injured?”
