A Most Delicate Pursuit by Pamela Labud

Author:Pamela Labud
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2016-05-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

After eating a quick meal, Bea called for Lizzie and half an hour later she was dressed and ready to go for a walk. Restlessness stirred in her, and though Bea hardly knew where to start, she decided to go in search of a quiet, secluded place to work. Staying in the bedroom where she and Michael had just spent making love had proved problematic. Every time she cast her glance toward the bed, memories of their morning took over her thoughts and she found it extremely hard to put quill to paper.

Thankfully, Slyddon had many other places one could find solace. Walking down the hall, she passed a smaller bedroom. Peering inside, she saw the pale blue lace curtains, a soft, brushed Aubusson carpet, and daisy-print wallpaper. In the center of the room was a bed covered by a printed quilt of tiny jonquil flowers. At the head there were several white lace embroidered pillows.

Just as she started to enter the room, another stepped in front of her, blocking the door. Taller than Bea, the woman had raven black hair and eyes as green and sharp as cut emeralds.

“Miss Hawkins, I take it?” Grinning like a cat full of cream, the woman held out her hand. “My name is Constance Merriweather, and I’ve been so wanting to meet you.”

Bea looked down at her offered hand and wrapped her arms about her waist. “Michael mentioned that you’d arrived this morning, uninvited, as I heard it.”

The woman’s grin faltered a moment and, indeed, Bea thought she was going to say something abrupt to her. But she did not, instead painting an even brighter expression on her face than before.

“Uninvited? Oh, my.” She giggled. “It seems I have made a faux pas. Perhaps his lordship hasn’t had time to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“That it was Michael who sent for me. I suppose he would have mentioned it, sooner or later. No matter, I always love to come to Hampshire. The forest is so beautiful. And the men always are so invigorated when they return from the hunt. There’s nothing like the attentions of a gentleman fresh from his manly pursuits.” She wandered into the bedroom, walking around as if she belonged there, a hawk among the chickens.

“I suppose you’d know all about that.” It was the best remark Bea could deliver under the circumstances. “An unmarried lady myself, I’ve not had the pleasure.”

The other woman chuckled. “If that’s the story you wish to tell, who am I to argue?” She gave Bea a knowing wink.

“I don’t know what you mean.” Bea lifted her chin, anger beginning to churn in her gut. How dare the woman…

Lady Merriweather waved at her cheerily. “Oh, dear. You’ve nothing to worry about. It’s not I who is out spreading such awful gossip about you. I mean, I happen to know what it’s like to be spurned by a man. Used and then tossed aside. Such cruel beasts they are.”

Beatrice nearly choked. “I think you should know, Michael and I are engaged.

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