Page 105 of The Truth About Lord Stoneville
“It was very fortui- . . . fortui- . . . ” Miss Kinsley paused, a tiny frown knitting her brow as she glanced at Mr. Pinter. “What was that word you used?”
“Fortuitous.”
Heavens alive. Freddy had stumbled upon a woman as thick-headed as he was. With a love of pie, too. What were the chances?
Mariaalmostfelt sorry for Nathan, if Miss Kinsley was his new choice for a wife. Though she could see why he’dchosen the woman. She was young, pretty, oblivious, and had a rich father.
Nathan clearly had a talent for finding that sort of female to prey on. It mortified her that she had been one of them.
Still, much as she’d like to stab Nathan through the heart, she had to deal with him, which meant she had to stop Oliver from dealing with him before he made a mess of things. “Miss Kinsley, if you would be so kind, might you help me dress?” she asked.
Miss Kinsley blinked. “Oh! Yes, of course.”
As the young woman helped her, Freddy and Mr. Pinter began to talk. Freddy had apparently been busy during her time with Oliver. Not only had he met Miss Kinsley, but he’d become quite chummy with her. She’d been shocked to learn that her suitor had a fiancée. She’d been even more shocked to learn that he’d lied to her papa about his business.
Freddy had brought her back to the inn, but finding Maria and Mr. Pinter gone, had left the pies there. He’d suggested that they talk to her parents about the dastardly Mr. Hyatt, but neither was home. Mr. Kinsley was at a board meeting out of town, and Mrs. Kinsley was shopping.
She and Freddy had gone off looking for her mother, and that’s how Mr. Pinter had found them, wandering the streets, thoroughly engrossed in each other’s company. Since time was of the essence, Mr. Pinter had hurried them back to the inn while telling them everything thathad transpired so far. Clearly Mr. Pinter realized that Miss Kinsley’s parents might not be quite so eager to help them as the young woman seemed to be.
Uncomfortable with how Freddy and Mr. Pinter had commandeered the lady, Maria took Miss Kinsley’s hands. “I know this is probably very upsetting, and I’m sorry you had to hear about Mr. Hyatt’s character in such a frightful manner.”
“It’s all right,” Miss Kinsley said blithely. “I was already wondering about him, to be honest.”
“So you’re not in love with Mr. Hyatt?” Maria pressed her, wanting to be very sure about that.
“Lord, no. I hardly know him.” She screwed up her face in thought. “Besides, he likes to say things I don’t understand. He’s too clever for me. And when I ask him to explain, he treats me like a child. I’mnota child. Sometimes I just need things explained to me.”
“Perfectly understandable,” Freddy put in. “Everybody needs things explained from time to time.”
Mr. Pinter looked as if he were struggling to keep a straight face.
“But you haven’t heard the best part, Mopsy,” Freddy exclaimed, practically dancing. “Tell her, Miss Kinsley. Tell her the best part!”
As the young woman laid out “the best part,” Maria gaped at her. Clearly Miss Kinsley wasn’t as brainless as Maria had assumed. Her news changed everything.
“If you had to,” Maria asked, “would you be willing to repeat that in a court of law?”
“I don’t think we need wait for that,” Mr. Pinter said. “I daresay we can use the information right now.”
Maria met the runner’s gaze. “You mean—”
“Yes. It’s time we pay Mr. Hyatt another visit.”
“Do you mind coming with us, Miss Kinsley?” she asked. “I know it’s a great imposition.”
“It’s no imposition at all.” With a fetching blush, Miss Kinsley cut her eyes at Freddy and said, “It’s the right thing to do.”
“And I’ll be there to protect you both,” Freddy said, laying his hand on the sword at his side.
“You can only go if you leave the sword here,” Maria chided as she swept out from behind the screen. Then she thought a moment. If Oliver had found Nathan . . . “On second thought, we might need it.”
She headed for the door, then paused to hug Miss Kinsley. “Thank you.”
The young woman beamed. “You’re welcome.”
Maria glanced to Freddy. “And thank you, too, cousin.”
He took a typical male posture, though his ears grew red. “Think nothing of it, Mopsy. A man does what he must to protect his family.”
