Page 22 of Lady, Behave
Cass regained her aplomb.
Laurel steered clear of all men—and wine.
Addy was left to toss in her own turmoil, trying to remain jovial, yet questioning what had happened to Gyles that he had not come today. She feared, too, that the information Cass wanted to impart held the disastrous news her premonition foretold. More, she worried that with his withdrawal, she’d lost her chance for the same magic she’d glimpsed on Cass’s face when they pushed wide that tiny room’s door.
As dusk fell, she climbed into their carriage with Cass and Laurel. The horses made their way back home to Brighton, and all three inside the coach nestled into their corner squabs and sighed.
Laurel crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and soon snored.
Cass stirred and caught Addy’s gaze. “Rumors of your grandfather’s actions go round. The one who has stirred them is the Duke of Stonegage.”
Addy shivered and pulled her pelisse close up about her chin. Hot tears stung her eyes.Why did women have to be judged by the men in their family? Could not a woman establish a reputation for herself? All the more reason to turn my skill with healing herbs and potions into a useful practice.
“We’ll be discreet about this,” Cass murmured. “I will ensure the town knows how pristine your backgrounds are.”
Cass had been so helpful in all their turmoils. “I trust you. Do what you think is appropriate.”
Addy crossed her arms and huddled into herself. Her premonition of disaster had blossomed like an evil flower. But she hated that her grandfather’s profession had caught up with her and her sisters. She had to draw the only conclusion. Stonegage had talked to his son and persuaded him to stay away.
Chapter Six
That night, Addycrept from her bed and ran down the hall to Imogen’s room. As she opened the door, she saw by the light of the moon that her sister sat up, wide awake.
“May I talk to you?”
“Of course.” Imogen plumped her pillows behind her and patted the bed for Addy to join her. They’d often sat like this, starry-eyed and needing each other’s company.
“Did you enjoy your day?” Imogen asked as she tucked her covers up around Addy’s legs. The three had arrived so late from Cowes that none of them had visited to share details of the day.
“Pleasant. However, Gyles did not appear.”
“‘Gyles’ is it now? Not even Heath?”
Addy shrugged. “The familiarity was a good sign. Now, we have a problem.”
“Why? Because he did not attend? I wouldn’t put stock in so little a thing. He’s lodging at Prinny’s, you know. I doubt they can hie off at any time without old George getting in a snit.”
“Yes. But there is more. Much more, and I hoped you would tell me what you know.”
Imogen’s eyes went wide. “Darling Addy, I have no idea why your beau would not go sailing today.”
“No, no. Not why he would not sail today. But worse. You see, rumor has reached Cass that Gyles’s father has stirred old tales of Grandpapa.”
Imogen stared into her eyes, caught like a deer down the sight of a hunter. “Oh.”
“Yes. That.”
“You know we do not speak of it.”
Addy took Imogen’s hand and squeezed. “But we must. The house in Dublin is shuttered. By Grandpapa’s orders, it will go up for sale as soon as the estate manager empties it.”
“The man has many problems with that,” Imogen said.
“And we know why, don’t we?”
“Oh, Addy!” Imogen swept a hand through her long golden hair, shining white in the moonlight. “It will do us no good to know. Grandpapa is dead.”
“You think it is reasonable to have the entire contents sold and for us to reap the profits?”
