Page 36 of Her Impeccable Scoundrel
“That’s Wickworth Hall land. His main estate is miles away,” Samuel Stockwell said. “His steward comes by at times. I’ve chased his surveyors off the property more than once.”
Graeme rubbed at the mud on his cheek. “Will anyone from Diddenton’s estate be attending tonight’s assembly?”
“Though it’s one of the largest gatherings in the area, the family has never appeared,” Jarrow said. “We’d best finish up here. What do you think, Stockwell, another hour’s worth of work?”
“My lord, Mr. Jarrow,” the elder Stockwell said, “we thank you for your help. Joseph can take your place.”
“No, I’ll stay and see this through,” Graeme said. “I have much to learn. Joseph and Rupert can escort Lady Chilcombe to Risley Manor.”
“Lady Hermione is at Bluebelle Lodge,” Blythe said. “We came in the gig and can find our own way back to Risley Manor.”
“Lady Hermione cannot come for help, should one of the marquess’s surveyors appear on the lane.”
Defiance flashed in her eyes, the way it had when he stopped her from leaving Chilcombe House.
He led Blythe away from the others. “Please, my dear. We must be cautious as we determine what’s afoot.”
She studied him for a long moment and finally said, “And how do we do that?”
“I’ve hired an investigator to look into Diddenton’s claim. I plan to write and have him begin searching for the nurse Jarrow told me about. And there’s an assembly tonight at the White Horse Inn. I plan to attend. Perhaps someone knows something about what happened here today. And if we learn nothing tonight, it may be I can make the acquaintance of neighbors who’ll be willing to talk to me privately later. The worst that can happen is that they’ll shun me, and I expect they’ll be too curious to do that. Will you and Lady Hermione accompany me?”
She’d stiffened as he spoke, and he saw it again—that look of fear, quickly masked.
The urge to take her in his arms and comfort her was overpowering but he wouldn’t touch her. For one thing he was too muddy, for the other… there were too many people around. He wouldn’t give the gossips fodder.
“You’ve gone pale but you must not be afraid. You faced the ton by yourself, Blythe, can you not face your neighbors? You’ll have two friends by your side.”
She lifted her chin and, lips trembling, nodded.
He went back to his work, watching her gather the baskets, her housekeeper and her two escorts, her face grim.
What did she know of the nastiness of Mrs. Jarrow and her cronies? Had they cut her before? What the hell had Archie put her through?
Because he could no longer believe the stories of Blythe’s perfidy were true. She was most certainly innocent.
If the better families attending tonight’s assembly thought to cut either Blythe or Lady Hermione in Graeme’s presence, they would be in for a surprise.
Chapter Nine
“Chin up,” Hermione whispered as they stepped into the assembly room.
A reminder to breathe might have been more suitable. Blythe needed the encouragement, here even more so than during her forays in London society. The good people of Risley and the surrounding environs had made their feelings toward the inhabitants of Risley Manor very clear, including the one inhabitant who resided most of the time at Bluebelle Lodge. Perhaps especially her, since… What was it she’d heard whispered? She was no better than she ought to be.
A vigorous country dance was underway, so their appearance was not immediately noted.
“What a lovely setting,” Hermione said loudly. “Much like the assembly rooms where I live. And the spring flowers—someone in Risley has a very nice garden.”
“I see Jarrow is dancing,” Graeme said from Hermione’s other side, so affably Blythe wanted to reach around Hermione and poke him.
That afternoon, he’d thought she’d gone pale because of this event. It was true, she supposed, that attending the assembly was part of the reason. To be cut by the likes of Mrs. Jarrow was one thing, but for her to do it in front of Graeme and Hermione would amplify the humiliation.
The other, truly more worrisome reason why she’d gone pale had to do with him hiring an investigator to search for Lunetta Casale. If Graeme’s man found her before Blythe’s brother did… If the horrible woman had the will…
Heads began turning their way, ladies in their country finery and men in their evening frock coats. Her own gown was the one she’d had made by Madame La Fanelle for her ball, a pale blue silk with capped sleeves and decorative tucking, and a lace trim along the hem, with a hair piece to match with an ostrich feather. Radley had unexpectedly packed it, and Hermione’s best gown as well.
They wouldn’t shame Graeme with their dress. He, on the other hand, had not had time to visit a tailor. Perhaps no one in this crowd of gentlemen would notice that his coats weren’t the first stare of fashion.
He’d returned to Risley Manor later than expected and was so encrusted with grime he’d needed to soak for a while before dressing. They’d not had a chance to speak about what he’d gleaned from Mr. Jarrow.
