Page 41 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
“It is still a little troubling, yes,” Lord Chiddick replied before the Duke could say anything. “Why should anyone wish to ignore you, cousin?” A tiny smile edged up one side of his mouth. “Could it be because your demeanour is still rather dark? Even though you have begun courting Miss Grifford, there are clearly those who have not yet warmed to you!” He began to chuckle and Rachel forced herself to smile back at him, even though her stomach was twisting furiously, her worries almost insurmountable. They had not been far behind Lord Chiddick but had there still been enough opportunity for him to dosomethingto him, had there not? What if he had already been poisoned?
“Shall I send for tea?” The Duke lifted one eyebrow just a little as Rachel found herself nodding. “You will stay for a little while?”
“Yes, if that suits Miss Renfrew?” Looking over her shoulder, Rachel saw her friend nodding and after that, let her eyes turn to Lord Chiddick who, much to Rachel’s distress, was also nodding with a smile on his face. Was there going to be a chance for her to tell the Duke of Longford what she suspected? Or was Lord Chiddick going to stand in her way?
Chapter Eighteen
There is something wrong.
Andrew watched Miss Renfrew and then turned his attention to Miss Grifford, noticing how her lip caught between her teeth for just a moment as she glanced to Lord Chiddick and then looked away again. Though he wanted to ask her what the trouble was, recalling how she had rushed into the room and spoken to him with such fervor, it was clear to him that there was something that she wanted to speak of and he certainly did not believe that it had anything to do with a dinner party. He did not know Miss Grifford extremely well as yet but what he did know of her told him that she was troubled. The way she had laughed and smiled about the dinner party had been without any true mirth, without any genuine spark of laughter in her eyes and he had felt his stomach drop.
Something had happened. Something that she wanted to tell him, something that she had to tell him without delay and yet, at the present moment, she could not.
It is because Chiddick is here.
Andrew frowned and rubbed one hand over his chin. This was a little concerning. Lord Chiddick was his cousin and yet Miss Grifford did not feel able to speak in front of him.
Then again,he reminded himself, as Miss Renfrew and Lord Chiddick laughed about some matter or other,I did beg her not to speak of my situation and I did inform her that only Lord Wrexham was aware of it. Perhaps that is why she does not want to tell me anything in front of Lord Chiddick.
“It is getting a little late and my mother will require me home very soon.” Miss Renfrew sighed and rose to her feet, looking to Miss Grifford who, with a nod, shot Andrew alook and then turned her head away. “I am sorry to have to take our leave when we have been enjoying such prolonged conversations.”
“Enjoyable conversations also,” Lord Chiddick said, smiling as he got to his feet. “Will you be attending Lord Huddersfield’s ball this evening?”
Andrew looked to Miss Grifford as she nodded but noticed how she looked up to him again.
His heart slammed hard against his ribs. She needed him. She needed to speak with him and yet could not. What was he going to do?
“If you are going to be a little tardy, might I suggest that I bring my carriage around and take you home, Miss Grifford?” he asked, seeing her eyes flare. “That way, Miss Renfrew would be able to return home without diverting.”
“I should like that very much. I have my maid and –”
“You need not trouble yourself, cousin!” Lord Chiddick walked across the room and put one hand onto his shoulder. “I have my carriage. Rather than having the difficulty of having your carriage called around, it would be much easier if I took the lady, would it not?”
Andrew cleared his throat and threw his cousin what he hoped appeared to be a playful wink. “It would be easier, I am sure but I would much prefer to go to the difficulty of calling the carriage and taking Miss Grifford back myself.”
Lord Chiddick chuckled and shrugged. “Very well, if you are sure. It would be no trouble.”
Andrew glanced to Miss Grifford and noticed the slight paleness to her cheeks and the way her eyes had flared. “I think not, cousin, though I thank you again for your kind and most generous offer. Miss Grifford? Might I walk you to the door where we will await the carriage? It will not take more than a few minutes.”
“But of course.” With what looked like a relieved smile, Miss Grifford took his arm but her fingers grasped it so tightly, it was clear just how tense she now felt. Andrew smiled briefly and walked to the door with her, with Miss Renfrew and Lord Chiddick following thereafter – though it was Miss Renfrew who continued a conversation with Lord Chiddick, leaving Andrew to murmur quietly to Miss Grifford.
“Are you quite all right?”
She glanced at him. “I need to speak with you. It is of the greatest urgency.”
“In the carriage, then,” he murmured, as she nodded. “It will not be long now.” They managed to keep up an amiable conversation while both Lord Chiddick and Miss Renfrew waited with them for the carriage to arrive but with every second that passed, Andrew could feel the tension beginning to tighten his stomach and rush through his frame. What was it that she wanted to tell him?
“Ah, here we are.” With a smile of relief, Andrew stepped forward and took Miss Grifford’s hand, ready to help her up to the carriage. “Good afternoon, Lord Chiddick, Miss Renfrew. We will see you both again this evening.”
With a nod, Lord Chiddick smiled and turned away and, with relief, Andrew climbed into the carriage behind Miss Grifford.
“It is your cousin!”
The moment he sat down, Miss Grifford leaned forward and grasped one of his hands, leaving Andrew to rap on the roof so that the carriage trundled forward. He blinked, seeing the wide-eyed look she offered him, the way the color drained from her face as though she was now afraid of what his response would be.
“I am afraid I do not understand, Miss Grifford,” Andrew said softly, turning his hand so that he could thread his fingers through hers. “Explain to me what you mean and have no fearin speaking honestly. I will not be in the least bit upset or angry with anything you have to tell me.”
Miss Grifford closed her eyes and nodded, letting out a long, slow breath before she began again. “That is a relief to hear from you, Andrew, for what I have to say is significant.” Opening her eyes again, she looked back at him steadily. “I have reason to believe that it is your cousin who is behind all of this.”
