Page 15 of Her Impeccable Scoundrel
“Have you heard anything new from the court?” the younger Lady Loughton asked.
“I haven’t,” Blythe said, looking at him, a question in her eyes. “But Lord Chilcombe has only just arrived.”
“I’m sorry,” Lady Loughton said. “I don’t mean to pry.”
“Do forgive us, Lord Chilcombe. We’ve all been so worried for Blythe’s sake,” the older Lady Loughton said. “Perhaps it’s a good thing that you haven’t heard any news.”
Lady Gravelston huffed. “Or it might be a bad thing if that villain is scurrying about trying to conjure up a witness to the new will,” she said and then winced. “And I also must beg your pardon, Blythe, my lord.”
“In that vein, no news is good news, I suppose,” Graeme said. “However, Lady Chilcombe has received some happy news. Her brother has arrived at Chilcombe House this afternoon on leave from the army.”
Having successfully distracted them from a discussion of the Chilcombe will, he settled back as the ladies expressed their happiness and wishes to meet Captain Lynford. Blythe inquired about the Loughton family members who’d be arriving soon, and he, having finished his tea and done enough of the pretty, took his leave and promised to see them at the evening’s rout.
Blythe watched Graeme leave and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Well,” Mel said. “I suppose I oughtn’t to have brought up the subject of the will. He’s rather formal, your new earl.”
Blythe grimaced. “My immediate dilemma is staying under the same roof with him. I was set to remove myself to Mivart’s Hotel, over his objections, when my brother arrived. Chilcombe has it in his head that my brother will serve as a proper chaperone. But you know how young men are. I of all people must be careful of my reputation. It would be better for me to leave the two together to their bachelor ways.”
The two Ladies Loughton exchanged a glance, but it was Lady Gravelston who spoke.
“There’s not a bed free at Loughton House. Why, I’m meant to share a bed with Nancy, and the mood she’s in after her dealings with the duke…” Her cheeks grew pinker and she smiled. “Not that I blame the dear girl. I wonder… might you have room for me, Lady Chilcombe? I’ll still be close to my dear Mel and Neda, and I can keep the gossips at bay. And I assure you, I’m not a gossip myself.”
“Not much of one,” Mel said with a smile.
The older lady shrugged. “Unless I hear news that is useful for you. What is he really like, your new earl?”
“He was a friend when we were children but I haven’t seen him for years. He was always a well-behaved boy—a few years younger than me, and later, a very proper young man. Not much given to hijinks. He doesn’t seem to have changed.”
“Even in diverting us, he was well-mannered.” Neda always looked for the good in people. “That must serve him well in his occupation.”
Lady Gravelston sent a mischievous look over her teacup. “Do you not find him rather handsome?”
All eyes trained on Blythe and she felt warmth rising in her cheeks. “I suppose,” she said, noncommittally. “But handsome is as handsome does, and I’ve yet to know him well enough to judge.”
“I beg your pardon for joking with you so newly widowed,” Lady Gravelston said. “The trials of widowhood, isn’t that right, Neda? I have lost a beloved husband as well.”
Blythe sighed. Archie had been a beloved husband for not much more than a month, after which she’d made discoveries that brought her to her senses.
“My dear,” Neda said, “this is a terrible strain you’re under. I would insist you stay here with us, but Hermione is right, we are packed to the rafters. Your servants now are loyal, and the earl will come to appreciate your help making his way in society. Your brother has been away from England for too long to be much assistance. You need a female ally in that house, and Hermione, if she is willing, is perfect for the role.”
“Will I have to share a bed?” Lady Gravelston asked with a cheeky grin. “If not, than I am more than willing.”
Graeme found Manus Morley reading the day’s newssheets at a table, while gray-haired members napped in nearby club chairs.
Morley signaled a waiter and ordered him a drink, then lifted his glass in a toast. “To the new Earl of Chilcombe,” he said. “How did you find the rest of the house and your account books?”
“The rest of the house is exceptionally well-kept also,” Graeme said. As were the books but he didn’t wish to discuss them.
“Is it now?” Morley leaned back and crossed one leg over the other, but his casualness didn’t fool Graeme.
“You must come around for dinner one night. I’ll send a note.”
“That would be capital. Chilcombe House had a scaffold up most of last year. But wait until you see Risley Manor. Parts of it are crumbling. They had a leak in the roof that all but brought down the ceiling over the earl.”
His senses alerted again. “You’ve been to Risley Manor?” Morley’s descriptions of the goings on at Risley Manor had all been expressed as things he was told about.
Morley sighed and leaned closer, speaking softly. “I did say I had more to tell you.”
