Page 20 of Lady, Behave
His pale eyes flashed with pride and insult. But he smiled, tight though it was. “Very well. I will make my excuses to you.”
“Please.”
With a satisfaction she had not felt in ages, she applauded herself for telling him the bald truth. She inhaled and sought the company of a few ladies chatting in one corner.
As she passed Cass, her cousin took her arm. “I must speak with you. In private. Tonight.”
“What’s wrong?” Addy caught a note of despair in Cass’s statement.
“Not here. Later, dear. Do smile.”
That shook her. She put on a bright face, but solitude beckoned. Anxiety won the day. Within minutes, she headed for the ladies’ retiring room below.
Rushing along the deck to the stairs, she felt her premonition of disaster rise with a strong wind. Gyles, for whatever reason, had not appeared. Instinct said what was amiss was a question of his attraction to her, and she wished she could simply jump in the sea and swim home.
She rushed down, putting on a brave front. Hearing voices, she thrust open the first door. The room, however, offered no retreat. It contained one small desk, two chairs, and a round flat table. Upon it were two people who never heard her turn the knob nor noticed that they were far too well observed.
Addy rushed up the stairs.
“Forgive me, Your Grace,” Addy appeared at Laurel’s side and intruded on her conversation with the Duke of Lonsdale. “I must have my sister’s help. Thank you so much.”
She tugged Laurel across the deck toward the steps below. “Lower cabin for us,” she explained.
“Thank God. I tried to escape him to no end!”
“Imagine what our lives would be like if we had a fortune!” Addy groused.
Laurel burst out laughing. “And you wanted more than the two thousand!”
“Not anymore. I’d like to keep my virginity for my wedding night…and at this rate…” Addy hissed as she wound her arm in her sister’s and rushed her down the tiny hall. “Listen to me. We have a problem.”
“Too many men we dislike?” She hiccupped. Then clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. Too much wine.”
“Right. Don’t drink anymore.”
“I won’t.”
“Good.”
“What’s our problem?”
Addy leaned into Laurel’s ear and said, “Cass.”
“I don’t…”
Addy pointed her forefinger toward the door in question. “Two people who amuse themselves together.”
Laurel’s large jade eyes twinkled. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Are you foxed?”
Laurel hiccupped once more. “I could be.”
Frowning, Addy said, “Straighten up.”
“You never get angry. What is the matter?”
“You’re inebriated, and I need you.”
