Page 14 of Long Live the Baron
The butler’s nostrils flared as he read the card. “Lord Moreland’s daughter?”
“Indeed. Show me in.” The butler’s cold eyes flickered, and Lily realized she had him.
“Follow me.”
Lily grabbed Nancy by the arm, dragging her in behind her. The old woman waddled behind her as the butler’s long legs ate the distance faster than Lily could keep up with.
He stopped, opening a door. “Lord Moreland’s daughter, Miss Abbott.”
Lily skipped in behind him, slightly breathless from attempting to keep up while navigating Nancy with her. Coming to a stop, she found herself in a small, gilded parlor.
Every surface had been covered with intricately painted floral patterns and Greek deities frolicking. On the smooth vertical space of the mantelpiece was a frieze of Romans going about their business while a musician strummed some sort of string instrument. She caught herself gaping at the lavish room, barely registering Lady Slight’s presence as she peered up and around her at the elaborate room.
By the time Lily noticed the redheaded viscountess sitting in a regal blue-green armchair with a gilded frame, the lady’s irritation was on display, along with her … assets. Lily forced her eyes up from the low bodice, wondering how the widow could breathe in such tight stays. The lady’s bosom was thrust so high, it was practically hitting her in the chin!
Dropping a curtsy, Lily opened her mouth and forged ahead. “I have come to speak to you about Mr. Ridley—Lord Filminster!”
The widow frowned. “Lord Filminster?”
“The baron is dead. Mr. Ridley is likely to be accused of his murder. You and your servants are the only ones who can clear Mr. Ridley—Lord Filminster. You must inform the authorities that he was here in your home last night, before he is arrested and taken to the Tower. The runner says that he must have an alibi as swiftly as possible. You must send for the coroner, who is Mr. Grimes, and he is the one you must inform straightaway of Mr. Ridley’s presence here!”
Lady Slight’s jaw dropped open in evident amazement. Lily realized she might have said too much, too quickly. Her cursed babbling could hit with velocity when talking to someone who was not familiar with her verbosity. Leaning back on her heels, Lily commanded herself to breathe.
Several moments passed, during which Lady Slight slowly closed her mouth and appeared to be gathering her wits. “Mr. Ridley is to be accused of murder?”
Lily nodded, keeping her lips firmly together.
“And you wish me to speak to the authorities to clear his name?”
Another nod.
“Why on earth would I do that?”
“Because he was here. All night.”
The viscountess narrowed her eyes. “How would you know that?”
“I witnessed his arrival and his departure from my window.”
Lady Slight rose, walking over to a window, her scarlet silk skirts rustling while a waft of expensive perfume tickled Lily’s nose. “Lord Moreland’s daughter? He lives across the street, I suppose.” The viscountess leaned to peer outside.
Abruptly turning, she moved to where Lily was standing. Using her superior height, she gazed down her nose at Lily with an expression of distaste.
“Why would I be concerned about some silly little chit dressed in her silly white lace?” Lady Slight reached out an elegant hand to fiddle with the ruffle at Lily’s neck. “Mama still dresses you, does she not?”
Lily’s heart fell from her chest into the pit of her stomach. It was humiliating to have such icy disdain thrust upon her. The older woman was an alluring Aphrodite, while Lily was … not. Nevertheless, despite the threatening emotions, she was going to hold her ground and convince this viper to do the right thing. At the same time, Lily was afraid she had made the situation much worse with her lack of strategy in visiting. She should have prepared a more compelling argument.
“You know he is innocent! You have a responsibility to speak!”
Lady Slight lifted a hand to her mouth and tittered, but her eyes remained hard and icy. Lily welcomed the fury that rose through her like a hot tide of righteousness to provide her fortitude.
“I shall stand as a witness. I shall inform the coroner where Mr. Ridley—Lord Filminster—was that night!”
The viscountess shrugged gracefully, highlighting the dainty lines of her creamy naked shoulders. “I shall deny it.”
Lily gritted her teeth. “The coachman who dropped him off will confirm my testimony.”
Lady Slight’s painted lips twisted into a wintry smile as her eyebrow arched. “The coachman knows nothing about the matter. Ridley promised his carriage would draw up in front of what turns out to be your townhouse, not mine, and he would have awaited its departure before crossing the road.”
