Louise M. Gouge by A Proper Companion

Author:A Proper Companion [Companion, A Proper]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

“At the outset, I thought you were trying to ensnare Edmond.” Lady Greystone sneered at Anna, her hawk-like features sharpening. “But then you learned he had no money and so you set your cap for a much bigger prize. What gel, however lowly, can resist the opportunity to win a viscount’s heart?”

“But, my lady—” Shock stalled Anna’s thoughts. What possible explanation could she give? Her heart quaking, she tried to tug her hand away from Lord Greystone’s grasp, but the more she pulled, the tighter he held on. She glanced up to question him, but his indifferent gaze was on his mother.

“Madam, you have done our little sparrow an injustice.” With his free hand, he patted Anna’s shoulder, but somehow it felt different from Major Grenville’s touch, more like the way one would pat a favorite dog. “I was merely thanking her for her faithful attendance upon me during my illness.”

“Sparrow indeed. Really, Greystone, you must depend upon me to sort these things out.” Lady Greystone stared at their joined hands. “You know so little of the wiles of young women.”

“Know so little?” The viscount laughed, but not pleasantly. “After six Seasons in London? Mother, you have no idea.”

Her eyes flared, then narrowed. “Will you release this person’s hand at once?” At her hawk-like glare, Anna trembled, feeling very much like a sparrow about to be devoured. “I have instructed her to leave.”

He gazed down at Anna. “Miss Newfield, would you like for me to release you?”

Hot tears sprang to her eyes. “Yes, my lord. Please.” To her relief, he did so. She dashed across the landing toward her room. Once behind the closed door, she hurried to the wardrobe and began pulling out her clothes, taking care not to remove anything that had belonged to poor Miss Peel. Renewed sympathy for the old companion flitted across Anna’s mind. As she began to fold the clothes and tuck them into her wooden trunk, she faltered, suddenly losing all strength. How would she transport this trunk? Where would she go in the bitter cold snow? And most important, would Major Grenville believe she was innocent of any wrongdoing in regard to Lord Greystone? Try though she might, she had been unable to keep her heart from attaching itself to him. If she lost his regard, how could she bear it?

Slumping to the floor against the trunk, she burst into wracking sobs.

* * *

Edmond stood in the hallway, his jaw agape with disbelief over what he had just witnessed. Moments before, as he knelt beside his bed and prayed for God’s direction, he felt an urgent nudging to seek Greystone. When he emerged from his room and saw Miss Newfield dashing away from his mother and brother, it shook him to the core. Determined to learn why the young lady was being ill-treated, he stalked toward them.

“Now, Mother.” Greystone rested one hand on Mother’s shoulder, a contact Edmond would never dare to make with her.

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