Page 14 of The Heiress's Daughter
“I know you, minx. And consider this; when the world was speculating about you and your darling Ollie and deciding it was an impossible match, did I join in?”
She sighed. “You did not.”
“Well then.”
She pouted. “Oh, very well, but you are horridly provoking. I’ve never seen you paying attention to any innocents, let alone one who has no claim to beauty or any particular charm—and don’t look at me like that, I said I liked her. It’s just that she’s not your usual type.”
“I told you, Leo asked me to take her riding.”
His cousin sniffed. “And I’m supposed to believe that’s all it is, am I? Well, all I will say is that I know you, cousin, and I’m intrigued.”
He shrugged. “Your intriguement is not my concern.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “ ‘Intriguement’—is that even a word? You’re just trying to put me off.”
“Is it working?”
She laughed again. “You are determined to be disagreeable, aren’t you? Very well, I’lltryto be good. I suppose I’m to invite Miss Studley to go riding again soon, am I?”
Race inclined his head. “If you would be so good.”
The rode on a few minutes, then Maggie said, “By the way, I asked her why Lady Scattergood refused you entrance.”
Race raise a brow. “And?”
“She thinks you’re a dangerous rake—the old lady, that is, not Miss Studley.”
Race shrugged. “She probably thinks that about every unmarried man. And most married ones. She doesn’t exactly have a good opinion of the male sex.”
“But plenty of unmarried gentlemen are admitted.”
Race turned his head sharply. “What? Plenty, you say? Who?”
Maggie shrugged. “I didn’t ask for names, but what I did learn is that those who are admitted are invariably accompanied by some respectable female relative; a mother, grandmother or aunt, usually.”
Race pondered that for a minute. That butler’s refusal to admit him to the Scattergood house had really irritated him. “I don’t suppose Aunt Berenice would consider…”
Maggie laughed. “Pry Mama away from her beloved garden at this time of year? To come to London? Not a chance. You know she dislikes the city at the best of times.”
Race nodded. It was a vain hope at best. Not to mention somewhat humiliating to have to ask. Dammit, he’d never been refused entrance to any house in the kingdom.
“However, I might be persuaded to accompany you on a morning call.”
He blinked. “You? I thought you disliked morning calls. What was it you said about them the other day? ‘All inane chitchat and lukewarm tea.’ ”
“I know. But I’m curious. I admit I’m curious to see all these gentlemen who call with their aunts and grandmothers, but mostly I want to meet Lady Scattergood. I always thought she was a recluse, but Miss Studley said she actually enjoys company; she just never leaves the house. So I’m intrigued. She sounds quite eccentric.”
“She is.”
“Good. I shall take notes.”
He gave her a sideways glance. “I’m almost afraid to ask why.”
She chuckled. “I plan to become an eccentric when I’m an old lady. I gather her receiving days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So you may collect me on Wednesday at two o’clock. Now here we are in Mayfair, so you may takeyourself off, cousin mine, before our little plot is discovered.”
Race took himself off, muttering under his breath. How on earth had he allowed his cousin to insinuate herself into his affairs? Fond as he was of her, he’d always kept his personal concerns to himself, taking nobody into his confidence. Not that he’d told Maggie anything; she just assumed her way into his life. Curses.
But what other choice did he have?
