Kissing Cousins by Joan Smith

Author:Joan Smith [Smith, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1995-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

While Salverton’s fresh toilette was proceeding above stairs, his secretary discussed the correspondence with him and took notes on how various matters were to be handled. The last item was for Plimpton to discover Sir Geoffrey Bayne’s address and call on him personally to repay the purloined thousand pounds.

“I’ll write you a check on my bank. Give him cash, but get a receipt promising he’ll drop the charge. I want the only record of this arrangement in my own pocket. If he turns rusty, you can hint at some future perk. I’ll see what I can arrange.”

The gentlemen then returned to the study, where Samantha had made herself at home. She was writing a note to her friend at Milford.

“I wanted to show off your crested stationery,” she explained artlessly.

“Be sure to have me frank it before you send it off,” Salverton said, chewing back a smile. “Receiving it without expense is more likely to impress your friend than the crest.”

“I wanted to ask you, but was afraid you’d cut up stiff,” she said.

“You will be giving Plimpton a strange notion of my character, Cousin.”

“A regular tartar,” Plimpton said, smiling in a bold way that belied the statement.

Salverton called for his curricle while Plimpton got cash from the safe.

When this was done, Salverton said, “Write the note to Lady Louise first, Plimpton. I want to sign it before I leave. You can sign for me on the other matters.” Then he turned to his guest. “Samantha, a glass of wine while we wait?”

The door knocker sounded as Plimpton was leaving. Salverton gave a tsk of annoyance and said to his secretary, “Tell Luten I’m not in—unless it’s the P.M.”

Samantha felt a little thrill to consider that she might be about to meet this eminent worthy. They both listened as Luten spoke to the caller. It was Plimpton who appeared first at the study door. His face wore a harassed expression.

“It’s Lady Louise!” he said in a strangled whisper. “Luten’s let her in.”

“Damn the man!” Salverton growled.

Samantha knew she was the cause of his discomfiture. Lady Louise would dislike that her fiancée (nearly) was involving himself in such low doings for a female cousin who was not precisely an antidote. Naturally the lady would be jealous if she had any affection at all for Edward.

Samantha felt instinctively that if she could allay the lady’s jealousy, all would be well. She thought Edward was making a mistake to marry the duke’s daughter, but he must see the light for himself. She would not be the cause of his losing out on her, if that was what he truly wanted. She waited eagerly to see this lady, who had recently been featuring largely in her thoughts.

The lady who came striding into the study was obviously from the very top of the tallest tree in the country. She was elegantly outfitted in a blue walking suit and dashing high poke bonnet. Pride and arrogance deprived a handsome face of its beauty.

The physical requirements

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