Page 37 of Lady, Behave
The lady snapped open her fan and regarded with bored eyes those dancing a country set. “You know Heath, do you not?”
“I do, ma’am.”How had she gotten stuck talking to this annoying woman? Where was Cass? Or Laurel?
“Word is that he regards you highly.”
A gush of warm desire for Gyles flew through Addy’s veins. “That is a fine compliment.”
“More than, my girl.” Forbish snapped her fan shut and poked the point of her sticks into Addy’s breast bone. “He seeks to engage himself to you.”
Addy swallowed. “Thetonsays this?”
“Despite his father’s opposition.”
Addy could not deny it. “Most regrettable.”
“What will you do about it?”
“I?”
The woman curved up her thin lips into a saccharine smile. “You.”
Addy lifted her shoulders. “I have not met his father and have no inkling of the source of his disapproval.”
The woman laughed, a shrill note of derision. “Your grandfather had quite a reputation.”
Anger at the impending insult colored her vision red. “He is dead now, my lady. Whatever he did is past.”
“But his treasures survive. I understand the Barry solicitors in Dublin sell what they can.”
Should she even be listening to this?“Lady Forbish, whoever is your source is either close to the solicitors in Dublin or fabricates the whole story.”
“But they do exist? Your grandfather’s so-called treasures?”
Addy looked her squarely in the eyes. She did not know much about the law, but she would not be sucked into admitting knowledge of any crime to such a harpy. She’d spread it about Brighton before breakfast. “Since you know so much, Lady Forbish, why not write to the solicitor in Dublin yourself? Ask him anything you wish to know, but my family and I have nothing to say to you. And now, do understand, I find I must seek more pleasant company.”
Addy marched away, the look on her face startling a few whom she passed.The nerve, the gall!
Imagine asking someone if one of their beloved family were a thief! Why, she ought to march right over to the town gossip, Countess of Huntington, and tell her a thing or two. Except, bah! What good would that do? She had nothing juicy to tell the town crier.
Heading straight for the terrace, Addy blindly wound her way down the garden path. She needed solitude. Fresh air. A summer breeze in her hair. The kiss of stars upon her brow. A soothing fragrance of roses and lavender.
“I say, Miss Adelaide.”
No. No, no. Not Fellowes. Again.
She whirled toward the voice.
“What do you want, sir? I am in no mood to deal with you or your ultimatums.”
“I’m here to help you.”
Do what? Help? Ha!She gripped her indignation in a stranglehold and sighed. “Thank you, sir. I wish to be alone.”
“But I offer you a friend.”
You? Hmm. The price for that would be high.“A friend.”
In the moonlight, he appeared softer, more a gentleman than he had heretofore proven to be. “You wish to be my friend?”
