One Touch of Scandal by Liz Carlyle

Author:Liz Carlyle [Carlyle, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Large Type Books, Mystery Fiction, Murder, Love Stories, Historical, Regency Fiction, Investigation, Murder - Investigation
ISBN: 9781410434432
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2009-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

A Soldier of Fortune

Sergeant Welham?”

Grace froze in disbelief just beyond the conservatory doors.

“Gracie?” Rance Welham unfolded himself from the rattan chair beside Lady Anisha. “Grace Gauthier, as I live and breathe! And ever more beautiful!”

He strode through the conservatory, his bootheels ringing on the flagstone. To Grace’s shock, he caught her at the waist and lifted her to twirl her madly about. “My God, girl, you’ve wasted away to nothing.”

Grace felt her face flame. “Sergeant, I am fine. Set me down, if you please.”

With a laugh, he did so, then turned to Ruthveyn. “And you, old man—” Here, he paused to embrace Ruthveyn, but it came out as more of a hearty, double-handed back-slap. “Grace, this dog is not fit to shine your shoes, and I hear you are his governess?”

“And very pleased to be,” she said.

Lady Anisha had wandered from the conservatory. “A marvel, is it not?” she said to her brother. “He turned up an hour past, skulking round the windows like Satin when she’s been caught filching tidbits from the kitchen.”

“Oh, ho, skulking, was I, Nish?” Rance turned round and laid a smacking kiss on Lady Anisha’s cheek. “I thought I was just taking the lay of things. Old soldiers never die, you know.”

“And I thought you would be away for weeks.” Ruthveyn’s voice was cool. “Mademoiselle Gauthier will imagine I’ve lied to her.”

Rance winked at Grace. “Looking for me, were you?” he said. “Of course I hurried back. I needed to be sure my girl was being looked after properly.”

“I can assure you,” said Ruthveyn, “your haste was unwarranted.”

At that, Rance threw back his head and laughed again. “Yes, as usual, Adrian, you’ve stolen a march on me,” he said. “Isn’t it just my luck to be off on some adventure when the prettiest girl in all North Africa comes by?”

Lady Anisha rolled her eyes. “I must go down and see Mrs. Henshaw about dinner,” she said. “Rance, will you stay?”

“No, no, I thank you,” he answered. “Bessett and I have laid some plans for the evening.”

“Ah,” said Anisha knowingly as she started for the stairs. “I wonder if they involve a certain set of leggy young dancers from—”

“Anisha!” Ruthveyn chided. He returned his attention to his visitor. “If I may ask, Lazonby, what are you here for, if not a free meal?”

Rance scratched his stubbled jaw pensively. “I’d like a word with Grace, to be honest,” he said. “Do you mind?”

For an instant, Ruthveyn hesitated. Then, “Not in the least,” he said smoothly. He turned to her with a tight half bow. “Thank you, mademoiselle, for the pleasure of your company. Lazonby, I trust you can let yourself out?”

“Grace,” said Rance when they were settled in the conservatory chairs, “why didn’t you tell me you were living in London?”

“I meant to, as soon as I heard you had got out of prison again,” she said, her gaze falling to her lap. “But Aunt Abigail said such things weren’t done. That unmarried ladies mustn’t seek out the company of gentlemen to whom they are not related.

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