A Haunted Season: A Ghostly Georgian Fairy Tale Retelling by Wheeler E.B

Author:Wheeler, E.B.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rowan Ridge Press
Published: 2023-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Ireturned to the house to find Mrs. Medford watching from the drawing room window. She frowned at the sight of me, and I hunched my shoulders under her disapproving gaze. No point in trying to sneak around the back way; they knew I had gone out, and they knew I had returned.

The butler escorted me to the drawing room.

Mrs. Medford pounced on me like a cat after a mouse, catching my arm in a tight grip. “You walked with Lord Treverton. What did he want to speak about?”

I glanced behind her, where Frances lay on the sofa, pouting and fanning herself.

“He wanted to know more of my background.” That was true enough.

“He asked about my girls, though.”

I tried to understand what she expected me to say, what white lie would satisfy her. “Uh, he inquired after their health. Which I told him was excellent.”

She stared me down. “Did he ask about the missing girl, Miss Foley?”

He had been speaking about her with Mrs. Medford present, so it seemed a dangerous thing to lie about.

“He asked if I had known her.”

Mrs. Medford hmphed and released my arm. “He showed an interest in her last year. I do not want him distracted. You are not to speak with him about her, do you understand?”

I nodded, because it was more comfortable to lie through actions than words.

Mrs. Medford sat on the sofa and stroked her daughter’s arm. “I have it on good authority that Lord Treverton’s grandfather, the earl, has required him to end his wild ways and marry. He encourages Treverton to look to our family because of his great friendship with the girls’ grandfather. If Lord Treverton does want to speak with you, you must extoll the virtues of your cousins—especially Frances.”

I bowed my head. I did not wish to harm Frances’s future opportunities, but I couldn’t bring myself to promise to extol her virtues. “I’m sure he does not regard my opinion, madam.”

“No, and why should he?” She waved her hand. “If you’re not going to be useful, go back to the attic.”

I nodded and hurried upstairs, seething at the Medfords, Treverton, and myself. Treverton had no reason to discuss his matrimonial plans with me, and I had no desire to play matchmaker. I probably ought to be pleased to think of Treverton shackled to my cousin. They deserved each other. No, that was unfair. Frances—and Loretta—had suffered with the loss of their father. I ought to do all that I could to help them. But would marrying Treverton really be a favor to anyone? Better to live in poverty than with such an arrogant man!

Beatrice appeared behind me, her eyes bright with interest.

“What did Lord Treverton really say?” she asked as soon as I had closed the attic door.

I sighed and sat on my bed. “He knows about my ruse. But he wants to help solve your mystery. He said we could speak to your brother.”

“My brother is here?” Beatrice asked. “Oh, I would love to see him again.

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