Page 22 of Kiss Me Lady One More Time
“I am on the same mission,” he declared jovially. “A friend has been feeling unwell and I stopped in to cheer him.”
Penelope knew better. She’d never known her cousin to hold a thought for anyone beside himself. “Is it Lady Tresham? Is she the friend you are visiting?”
A peculiar look crossed his face. “Lady Tresham? No, indeed.” He looked back and forth between them. “Why ever would you ask such a thing?”
“It is she we are here to visit,” she said with a wave toward the house. “And I know you met her at Greystone. I thought perhaps you had continued the acquaintance.”
“Actually, I knew the lady before Greystone, which fact makes me doubtful that you would find her in such . . . circumstances, as these.” He looked up and down the modest street with a slight sneer of distaste.
“I know she resides here,” Hope told him. “I’ve taken tea with her here, myself. She invited me just after my betrothal was announced. That’s when we renewed our acquaintance.”
“Well, then, I must be wrong. Perhaps I shall tag along and bid my respects. I haven’t seen her since we all left Greystone, earlier this summer.”
Penelope exchanged glances with the countess. Having him along would hinder their chance of getting Lady Tresham to answer their questions, but truly, there was no polite way to refuse him. Perhaps one of them could get her alone, she mused, as Hope’s footman returned.
“I’m sorry, my lady, but the butler says Lady Tresham does not reside here,” he said, low.
“Not surprised,” James said with a shrug.
“Nonsense.” Hope started toward the door. “Hold a moment,” she called to the butler. “Travers, isn’t it?”
The servant paused. “Yes, ma’am?”
“I took tea here, some months ago. You served us yourself.” She paused, her brow furrowed. “We spoke of Sussex, as you have a brother in a village there.”
“Yes, your ladyship. You have a fine memory.”
“Where is Lady Tresham?” she asked.
“I cannot say. Her ladyship was two tenants ago.”
“Tenants. She rented the place?”
He inclined his head.
“And you’ve no notion where she went, when she left?”
“I’m sorry, I do not.” He shrugged. “Perhaps the solicitor who acts as the agent for the owner would know, but he is currently in Paris, scouting another property for our employer.”
Penelope sighed. Linking her arm with Hope’s she gave the butler their thanks and drew her away. “Come along, then. We know where to go next.”
James stepped up. “Perhaps—”
“I’m sorry, sir, but our day is scheduled,” Hope said firmly. “We have just spent a great deal of time traveling with gentlemen in close quarters and now we have ladies to visit, fripperies and furbelows to purchase, tea to drink and an obscene amount of cake to eat.”
He merely blinked in surprise.
“Sorry, James,” Penelope said. “It is a ladies’ day, and you are not invited.”
The countess climbed into the carriage and turned to smile at him. “Good day to you!”
Penelope waved and they pulled away.
“I do apologize for lying to your cousin, my dear. I fear it was very rude.” The countess wore a suddenly stricken look on her face.
“Not at all, it was very necessary,” she reassured the countess. “I swear, he sticks like a burr, but only when he is not wanted. Now, let us hope that Mr. Simon, our friend from the British Museum, has indeed kept up his friendship with Lady Tresham.”
“My fingers are crossed.” But her friend had gone pale.
