Devil's Match by Anita Mills

Author:Anita Mills
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION/Romance/Regency
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2013-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

11

“Oh, my dear, I’d no notion you even knew her! Hurry—you must wear your blue merino—oh dear… no, no … perhaps the lavender muslin would be better.”

Lady Lenore, when appraised that Leah Barsett, Viscountess Lyndon, had come to pay a morning call on Juliana, was wreathed in smiles. Lady Lyndon, after all, was no less exalted a personage than Lord Milbourne’s only grandchild and therefore a leader of the younger set amongst the ton. Not even that lady’s oft-remarked association with the Earl of Rotherfield could offset Lord Milbourne’s influence. The ton, for all its social snobbery, had long since decided that if the fiery Tony Barsett saw nothing amiss, then surely Lady Lyndon must be blameless.

“Mama,” Juliana responded with unusual patience, “I have on my best sprigged muslin, after all. I am sure that Lady Lyndon would rather I was prompt than kept her waiting while I changed my dress.” The girl turned over the gilt-embossed card and tried to hide her puzzlement.

“Well, I am sure that she must have remarked you at the Beresfords’ … or mayhap ’twas the Connistons’— you were in particularly good looks there, my love. But why ever would she pay a call on you?” Lenore Canfield could barely contain her curiosity. “If you wish me to go down with you—”

“No … no. I mean, she asked to see me, Mama.”

“Well, do hurry, love,” Lady Lenore admonished her daughter, “for ‘twould not do to keep Lady Lyndon waiting. Oh, I vow .I am at sixes and sevens, Juliana! If she takes you up, you are quite made.!”

The girl bit back a retort that she considered herself quite made anyway, for had not Lord Barrington applied to her father for permission to pay his addresses? Not that she meant to take him, of course, for he was the most stolid fellow. Besides, she had already quite set her cap for the notorious Earl of Rotherfield.

“Juliana! Do not be standing there dreaming, love! Lady Lyndon will think—”

“Stuff, Mama!” Nonetheless, Juliana slipped her mother’s fringed Norwich shawl about her shoulders and headed down.

Pausing at the door of the blue saloon, she was surprised to hear voices coming from within. After all, Thomas had brought up but one card. She smoothed back a rebellious gold ringlet, tucking it behind her ear, and stepped inside. A gentleman lounging against the mantel with his back to her turned around. She gasped.

“Your pardon for the subterfuge, Miss Canfield, but I saw no other way. You know Lady Lyndon, of course?”

“We have been presented.” She nodded politely to where Leah Barsett sat. “Oh, Lord Rotherfield, have you found Caro?” Wiping suddenly damp palms on the skirt of her sprigged-muslin gown, she moved forward.

“Alas, no.” He shook his head. “ ’Twould seem that there is not a trace of her or Bascombe, and it now appears that your cousin has disappeared also.”

“Patrick?”

“I have been to his house twice, Miss Canfield. The last time, I took the liberty of interviewing his servants, all of whom profess to know nothing except that he left late the night we met.

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