Page 78 of Project Duchess
“But it’s not what you think,” he said.
And with that, Joshua began to reveal why he traveled to Leicester so often.
Shortly before ten, Beatrice dragged herself from bed and got dressed to go over to Armitage Hall. Ten was the time she usually arrived for her come-out lessons. She was hardly in the mood today, after tossing and turning, thinking over everything Joshua and Grey had said and replaying her delicious moments with Grey. That made it very hard to sleep. It would make it even harder to be around people.
But if she didn’t go to Armitage Hall, they would wonder why, and she didn’t want anyone speculating about her and Grey having done . . . well . . . what they’d done.
Besides, she wanted to see how Aunt Lydia was taking the news of Grey’s engagement. His family had to knowsomething.Surely he wouldn’t have left for London without telling anyone.
When she entered the hall, however, it was to find the place in turmoil. Because apparently that was precisely what Grey had done—he’d taken his coach off to London before anyone had arisen. She had no idea what to make of that. Footmen were scurrying off on errands, grooms were being questioned, and a maid was being tasked with bringing more tea to the ladies in the breakfast room.
She even overheard Sheridan in one corner dressing down the butler. “What do you mean, you didn’t see him enter until early this morning? Where the devil was he?”
Hoping not to be noticed by Sheridan, she moved like a wraith through the bustling servants, then headed down the hall to the breakfast room. The moment she entered, she was accosted by her aunt.
“Oh, Bea, it’s too awful. I can’t believe Grey didn’t tell us a thing! And I was so hoping that you and he . . . that the two of you . . .” When Beatrice stared blankly at her, Aunt Lydia muttered an unladylike curse under her breath. “You don’t know! Lord, I’m so sorry. I just assumed you saw theTimes. But of course you haven’t. Why would you have? I doubt that you and Joshua—”
“Grey is engaged to Vanessa,” Gwyn said bluntly. “The sneaky bastard.”
For once, her mother didn’t correct her language.
“I know about Vanessa,” Beatrice said. “Joshua saw a copy of theTimesin town and brought it to me.”
Gwyn’s eyes flashed a sudden heat. “Oh, I’m just sure he did. He was probably delighted to malign my brother’s character.” She sighed. “Although right now, I would happily join him. HowdareGrey lead us to think he cared about you, Bea, when all the time he was plotting to marry that little chit Vanessa?”
Beatrice was trying to figure out how to answer when Sheridan walked in. “Sheathe your claws, Gwyn,” he muttered. “I’m sure matters aren’t as they appear.”
“Oh, you are, are you?” Gwyn crossed her arms over her chest. “You fourmenalways stick together. Well, he’s gone too far this time, leading on a feeling young woman like our Bea here.”
“He did not lead me on,” Beatrice said, though Gwyn’s concern touched her. “We’re merely friends.”
When the others snorted in unison, she bit her tongue. Really, could she not lie convincinglyat all?
“Grey swore to me he had no interest in Vanessa,” Sheridan said. “And I don’t think he was lying.”
“Besides,” Aunt Lydia put in, “if hehadproposed to her, I’m sure he would tell his mother.” Her expression turned anxious. “Wouldn’t he?”
This was killing her. She wanted to divulge everything, and she couldn’t. She should have stayed away. “Perhaps I should go home. It doesn’t seem as if we’ll be having our usual lessons.”
They ignored her. Sheridan poured himself some tea, then fixed her with a dark look. “Did you happen to see Grey last night? When he left here, he said he had something to take care of. Then he stayed out for hours. I got the distinct impression he might be going to talk to you.”
All eyes turned to her. Blast. She considered lying, but that hadn’t been working well for her lately. “Um. Yes. I did see him. He came looking for Joshua, and I told him my brother was in Leicester. So I imagine he went off there.” That was true. Mostly.
Sheridan’s expression cleared. “That makes sense. It would explain why he was out all night.”
“He was outall night?” his mother said. “Whatever for? Why couldn’t he just speak to Joshua when the man returned?”
It was Sheridan’s turn to look uncomfortable. He stirred some sugar into his tea. “I would imagine that he . . . Perhaps Grey had some notion . . .” He set down the cup of tea. “Honestly, I have no idea. I’ll see if anyone else has a guess.”
And he was out of the room before they could stop him.
“That was odd.” Gwyn gazed after her brother. “I think he knows more than he’s letting on. I’m going to find out what it is.” She too marched out the door.
When Beatrice stood there awkwardly, wondering if she could now make her escape, Aunt Lydia gestured to the table. “Come have some breakfast, my dear. Don’t leave yet. Keep me company, if you don’t mind.”
Stifling a sigh, Beatrice said, “Of course, Aunt. I’d be happy to.”
As her aunt slid into a chair, Beatrice went to fill a plate at the sideboard. She could practically feel her aunt’s gaze boring into her.Oh, dear.
