Page 31 of The Vagabond Viscount
Augusta couldn’t care less about the wonders of French cooking. She scowled at her sister. Why was she being so thoughtless?
“Which means Viscount Cadnam will probably make an early appearance at the party. I’ve seen him attack a plate of pastries like a ravenous beast,” added Victoria, nodding at Gideon.
The marquis chuckled. “Yes, Flynn loves his sweet pies and cakes. I will make sure to remain at a safe distance when he enters the supper room tonight.”
Augusta gave silent thanks to her sister. Of course, Victoria hadn’t forgotten her worry over Flynn. While waxing lyrically about the French chef, Victoria had neatly posed the question of whether the viscount was expected to make an appearance at the party tonight. Gideon had now confirmed it.
Tonight. If he doesn’t send word before then, at least I will be able to speak to him later. But he promised he would come here yesterday. Something is wrong—I can feel it.
Augusta set her napkin aside and rose from the table. “If I am to be feeling well enough to venture out this evening, then perhaps it might be a good idea for me to go back to bed and get some sleep. Excuse me.”
“I will come with you,” said Victoria, pushing back her own chair.
Lady Coco let out a sigh of disappointment. “Isn’t anyone coming shopping with me today?”
The two eldest Kembal girls exchanged a knowing look. They might well be worried about Flynn, but they also had to keep up appearances. If both Victoria and Augusta cried off on the trip with Coco, the duchess would surely find out. Then she would come asking questions. Augusta hadn’t a clue what to say to anything her mother might ask.
Especially not when it came to Flynn and the possibility of him having gone off to marry some stranger in order to settle his father’s debts.
He promised he would confront the earl.
“I will come with you, Coco, but could we perhaps leave a little later? I would rather be certain that Augusta is on the mend before I leave her,” replied Victoria.
“I’m sure some sleep will do me the world of good,” added Augusta.
Her chances of actually falling asleep were slim, but if she retired to her room then at least she could go back to watching the window and waiting for Flynn to arrive. She glanced at the ring which sat on her right hand. He had given it to her, along with his promise to speak to her father. She wanted nothing more than to be able to wear it on her left hand, along with a wedding band.
I have to trust in him. He will come.
ChapterFifteen
Mid-February 1817
Augusta had established a new routine. Every morning after rising and dressing, she would make her way to the breakfast room and scour the newspapers. The marriages section was her main interest.
But three weeks after she had last seen Flynn, there was still no sign of him, nor of him having married the mystery girl from Hyde Park. He may well be the head of a dysfunctional family, but even Earl Bramshaw would have made certain to place his son’s marriage notice inThe Times.
Across the table from her, Victoria closed up theGazetteand shook her head. “Not in here.” She tapped her finger on the other pile of newspapers. “Nothing. Not even mention of an engagement. I am beginning to think you might want to go and check the official records and see if the special license has been used.”
It was tempting, but it would mean having to acknowledge that Flynn had once and finally, utterly failed her. Augusta had lost more than enough sleep already. She couldn’t keep punishing herself.
Not knowing left her with at least some sense of hopefulness. A foolish notion though it was, but it kept her heart from completely breaking in two. She clung to that glimmer of possible good fortune like it was a lifeline.
“I am not at the point of having lost all sense of self-respect,” replied Augusta.
That was a lie she kept telling herself in the vain hope that it might hold a modicum of truth. The reality was that she was long past begging for word of Flynn.
But if he hasn’t married, then where is he? What if something has happened to Flynn, and no one is looking for him?
Deep down she feared that if Flynn had met with an accident or even worse, his father wouldn’t likely go in search of his son. Which left only his friends to come to his aid. Gideon was Flynn’s best friend.
“I might ask Gideon if he is expecting to see Flynn this evening,” said Augusta. She had made discreet inquiries with her brother over the past few weeks, but Gideon had been oddly evasive as to the whereabouts of his friend.
“You must know that Gideon is eventually going to put two and two together if you keep asking about Flynn. Let me check on his plans for this evening. I can drop the subject of Viscount Cadnam into the conversation at some point,” suggested Victoria.
Gideon was far from dull-witted, and it was only a matter of time before he would pointedly ask why both his sisters were so interested in his best friend. At present, neither Augusta nor Victoria could furnish him with a clear answer.
“I was thinking you might mention a new restaurant to Gideon and suggest he take Flynn out to dine there.” Everyone knew that Flynn loved his food. “And if he agrees, then you could also ask that he invite us as well. What do you think?”
