Page 57 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
Her aunt whirled about and for a moment Susannah saw Lady Braithwaite’s chin tilted up and her eyes flashing.
Quietly she stepped to the side so she might see around her aunt. Aunt Guthrie scowled a moment before her face lifted into the false smile Susannah had come to expect from her.
“Lady Braithwaite, how are you this evening?”
“I have been better. Now do me the honor of introducing me to your niece.”
How had she…
“But Your Ladyship—”
“That was not a request.”
For a person so young and small, Lady Braithwaite spoke boldly, especially to a woman over twice her age. Those must be the rights of rank and money. Then again, that did not seem to apply to all. The Duchess of Bedford outranked Lady Braithwaite and yet she’d not spoken near so forcefully when in company with Aunt Guthrie.
Her aunt’s jaw worked back and forth before she finally turned and gestured to Susannah. “Lady Braithwaite, may I present Miss Wayland.”
The countess nodded, and Susannah curtsied. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Ladyship.”
“And I yours. Miss Harris speaks highly of you and there are few opinions that I value higher than Miss Harris’s. Let us take a turn about the room.” Lady Braithwaite’s attention returned to Aunt Guthrie. “Have a good evening, Mrs. Guthrie.”
Aunt Guthrie’s chest rose and fell several times, her lips pressed tightly together before she nodded. “And you,LadyBraithwaite.”
Her Ladyship watched Aunt Guthrie closely as she stepped around her and crossed the room. A bit of the starch went out of Lady Braithwaite’s spine, her shoulders relaxed and her fingers stretched before re-gripping her customary cane.
Susannah’s eyes were drawn to the affectation: perfectly straight, a gray marble top, and the wood painted black. She’d seen her carry others, but this one seemed to be Her Ladyship’s favorite. But why carry one at all? Lady Braithwaite had no apparent limp.
“Where are you on your way to, Miss Wayland? Perhaps I might accompany you.”
She glanced over her shoulder, but John no longer stood where she’d left him. “I am on my way to find Lady Stanford.”
Lady Braithwaite narrowed her eyes a fraction. “Are you sure you do not wish to return to your previous company?”
Heat crept onto Susannah’s cheeks. Had she seen her look of longing?
“I will take that as a yes. Come.” Lady Braithwaite motioned with her head, slowly making her way toward the door to the room she’d been in previously.
Susannah fell into step beside her waiting for the lady to speak, but they made it to the other room without a single word being uttered between them. Across the next room, she spotted John, his head bent as he listened intently to Miss Guthrie. She stopped and Lady Braithwaite followed her lead.
All the discomfort he’d displayed in the company of both women had vanished. She hesitated. He appeared to be quite content, even venturing to say something to her cousin. They’d not finished their conversation, but this was not the time. She’d not get involved in a tug of war. John deserved better.
He would visit Kendall House soon. No need to make a scene. They’d said the majority of what needed to be conveyed anyway. Perhaps providence had intervened so she would not make herself a fool in public.
“On second thought, I believe I will return to Lady Stanford.”
Lady Braithwaite stared at her, her jade green eyes seemed to see directly into Susannah’s soul, but she said nothing, only turned and gestured back the way they’d come. “She is in the red room. I will walk with you to the door, but no further. No need to incite your friend’s ire.”
The comment intrigued Susannah. It seemed Lady Braithwaite was as aware of Lady Stanford's dislike as Miss Harris had been.
“Please forgive my impertinence, but why are you and Lady Stanford at odds?”
The lady’s eyes roamed the room, jumping from one person to another. Finally she spoke. “Have you not heard my infamy gossiped about in the drawing rooms of London?”
“Only of the existence of rumors, but no concrete proof that you have done anything untoward.”
A self-satisfied smirk stole across Lady Braithwaite’s face. “Then they are all too frightened to speak the worst of me. Just as it should be. As for your friend, Lady Stanford and I were acquainted in my first season. I was young and incredibly stupid. Lady Stanford thought much of her own consequence back then but took pity on me until I made a most advantageous match and so the friendship ended.”
“Because you married?”
