Page 94 of The Girl Out of Time
A bright smile lit her friend’s face. “It’s you!”
Emmeline froze, unsure of how to react. Then Louisa ran over to hug her, and Emmeline returned the embrace. “You shouldn’t be here. Won’t your mother be upset?”
“Pah.” Louisa waved her hand. “Mama is much too busy lounging around the house, complaining about how horrendous the weather is, even though it doesn’t affect her in the slightest.” Louisa reached her hand to her forehead in a theatrical reenactment.
“How did you know I was here?” Emmeline led her to the drawing room.
“You would not believe it, but I’ve been walking in Hyde Park a few days ago—seeing if I could spot one of those red squirrels, you know—the gray ones are easy enough to find, but the red ones—well, there I was, and I see this figure walking in the distance, and I swear she reminded me so much of you, but I was with Miss Thornton, and she was absolutely determined not to leave Rotten Row, so I couldn’t follow—but I asked if she knew the figure—that is,you—and she said no, but that she’d heard Viscount Haverston came to London this season with a cousin of his nobody knows, some American girl, and if anyone would be walking alone, she might be—I’m not sure if she meant that a new arrival wouldn’t have any friends, or if she was implying Americans don’t have enough manners—anyway—”
Louisa finally took a breath. “I thought I’d give it a try and see who she was. And itisyou!” She took Emmeline’s hands in hers. “I missed you so much.”
“You’re not angry?”
“Oh, I was absolutely furious”—Louisa did another deep intake of breath—“for being left out of all the drama! I had to pester Daniel fordaysbefore he caved and told me what had happened. And Mama made me swear not to tell anyone, because if the news spread, it would affect myreputation, too.” Louisa rolled her eyes. “If anything, it would make me more interesting. But Mama shall have her way.”
“But …” Emmeline bit her lip. “You’re not angry withme?”
“Only because you don’t get to be my sister.” Louisa raised an eyebrow. “Unless—”
“No, no. That story is finished.”
“Are you certain? You and Daniel would make such a lovely couple. And now that you’re gone, he’s behaving awfully again. He won’t dine with us, and he and Mama constantly argue—”
So Daniel was in London, too. Emmeline swallowed, unsure what exactly she felt—fear or nervousness. “Louisa,” she said, “you know I couldn’t pursue him, even if I wanted to. I’m not …”
“You’re not Maria Grey, no. You can tell me that exact tale some other time. But you’re still a relation of Lord Haverston, aren’t you?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“All right, all right. I won’t push the matter further. But will you at least come to some balls? Oh, please, please. I missed your company so much, and I shall be miserable for the entire season if you don’t join me. I don’t know what it is with the London ladies—whenever I start talking, they suddenly have so many other things to do.” Louisa drew her eyebrows together. “Lady Jersey’s ball is next week, and I must make a good impression on her. If only she’d be willing to sponsor me! Have you met her yet?”
“Uh, no—”
“Then you must!” Louisa leaned in conspiratorially. “Please, come to the ball. I’ll have a carriage pick you up if necessary, but I can also come by, and we’ll walk if you wish. Berkeley Square is close, anyway. I shall get you introduced, and you’ll see why they call her Silence—hmm, perhaps I’d bemore fascinating if I had a nickname? Which one, you think, would suit me?”
“Sorry, what?”
“The nickname.”
“No—” Emmeline shook her head. “Silence?”
“It’s what they call Lady Jersey. It’s ironic, you see.”
Where the Silence lies low… on Berkeley Square. Could that be the solution to the next riddle?
“Emmeline, I was told you had a visit—” Sebastian strolled in, stopping dead in his tracks when he noticed Louisa.
She, conversely, jumped to her feet. “You!”
“Me,” he said.
Louisa looked to Emmeline. “Heis Lord Haverston?” And then back to Sebastian. “Youare Lord Haverston? What is this? Is it a habit of your family to take on false names?” She shifted to Emmeline again. “No offense to you, I’m sure you had a very good reason—”
“ButIdidn’t?” Sebastian asked with a mocking smile.
Louisa put her hands on her hips. “Well, did you?”
“Just the standard.” Sebastian moved to stand behind the sofa. “I went undercover as Mr. Wexley so I could finally find a woman who’ll have me for who I am and not for my title.”
