Page 42 of Scandalous Heiress
Chapter 8
London, England
“You’ve been most kind, sir.”Ada thanked the porter for hailing a cab outside the railway station.He’d hauled all her trunks and Chaumont’s too on his lorry from the tracks to the street.
“No.— Piccadilly,” she told the driver.She’d given Chaumont anxious moments on the train from Bath.A right mess, snorting at an insult at Richard’s behavior and aflame with Victor’s ardent declarations, she’d brooded all the way back to London.
It had been a bittersweet morning.
She’d risen earlier than her usual seven, but that was not early enough to avoid seeing Victor as she finished her breakfast.
As he walked toward her, she made to rise and escape.She hated arguing.
“Please,” he said with a hand up.Dressed in his tweeds, his auburn curls windblown, he looked as if he’d been out walking.In truth, he appeared as sad as she, what with his bleary eyes and somber tone.“Do finish.”
“I am,” she said but kept her seat.
He seized her hand and pressed it to his waistcoat.Beneath the heavy wool, his heart thumped madly.“I’m coming to London.I will call.”
She opened her mouth, ready to refuse him when his mother appeared.
“No, please, Miss Hanniford.Do not rise.”From her casual cotton day gown and simply styled hair, she’d dressed quickly.Most women of her rank and age would break their fast in their rooms on trays.Yet here was the Duchess of Brentwood so early in her own dining room—and noting with her keen gaze how her son released her hand.“I’ve come to say a few words and tell you how I’ve enjoyed your company.”
Ada could not in good manners express her surprise at the lady’s compliment.She’d had the distinct impression that the duchess did not care for Ezzie or her or any Americans at all.“Thank you, Your Grace.”
The duchess took her place at the end of the table.
The butler hovered, looking decidedly uneasy at this abnormal appearance of his mistress.Butlers— all staff, it was said—knew everything that went on in a household.This one was as discreet as any.Indeed it was what he was paid for.And so dutiful as he was, he ignored them all and asked his mistress, “Ma’am, what may I serve you?”
“Coffee, Fawkes.I understand, Miss Hanniford, from Victor that you must leave us early.A shame, that.But I do understand your reasoning.”
Do you?Ada checked Victor’s expression, but she read only sadness there.What had he told his mother?
“I regret my older son’s actions and hope you will not think poorly of us all.”
Ada fingered her coffee cup.“I do not, Your Grace.”
“I’ve told my husband about you and Richard’s action.His Grace sends his apologies for any challenges while you visited.”
“That’s kind of him.”
“And he wishes that he could tell you himself.But his illness, you see, prevents that.So we will hope the future will bring us together again when all of us are brighter and more fit.”
“Yes, thank you.I did enjoy myself and I’m pleased I’ve had this opportunity to tell you so in person.I regret I must leave early, but it’s best.”
“Of course, it is,” the lady said.
Ada rose and gave a small curtsy.
“Do return to us someday soon.”
Ada expressed her thanks, but could not in good conscience accept that last invitation.With a parting glance at Victor, Ada adjourned to her rooms.With her luggage locked and ready for the footmen to take downstairs, she emerged from her own rooms and knocked on Ezzie’s door.
Ezzie, up before her usual mid-morning time, sat on thechaise longuein a pink flowered dressing gown.The maid whom the duchess had assigned to Ezzie dipped in homage.
“Thank you, Mary.I appreciate your help this morning,” Ezzie told her.With that, the girl curtsied and left them to talk privately.
“I will miss you,” Ezzie said with a forlorn look as she sat forward.“I don’t know how well I can carry this off without you.”
