Perdita by Joan Smith

Author:Joan Smith [Smith, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1981-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

I rather expected to see John come to breakfast the next morning with a black eye, or a bent nose, from Stornaway’s threatened late night visit. The reason he did not was soon explained. “With all the extra company landed in on them—you and Perdie and Stornaway—the Griffords asked me to share my room with Tony Hall. They had put me in the best guest suite in the place, can’t imagine why. Millie was out-of-reason cross when I had to be moved, but a lord after all, they could not stable him with that yahoo of a Tony Hall. Stornaway got my suite. Tony tells me there was a rare dust-up when someone busted into old Mrs. Peachum’s room and found her unplugging her false teeth and untying her stays. It was certainly Stornaway, looking for me.”

It was delightful to envisage Stornaway pouncing in on an unsuspecting widow, in mid-toilette. Before the image faded from my mind, we had the rake-lord in person to observe. He came to the table at nine o’clock, immaculately garbed, shaved, combed, and so on. His elegance made one acutely aware of the plain provincial jackets of most, and the foppish raiment of the temporary citified bucks such as John. The noble guest made a bow, expressed a few pleasantries about the felicity of the weather remaining good for the planned picnic, then began looking around the table to select a place. He was soon advancing to that end where John and I sat conversing. Alton was not tardy to arise and begin making his excuses to leave.

“I am to meet Millicent for a ride this morning,” he mentioned.

"You won’t forget to leave a half hour free for me, Mr. Alton?” Stornaway asked, in a seemingly polite tone, but when one knew what to look for, the menace beneath was not hard to find.

“Oh, certainly. I want to talk to you again about the FHC.”

“I want to talk to you about a different matter. Shall we say—half an hour before luncheon, in the saloon?”

“Fine, I’ll be there.”

“Don’t disappoint me.” Then he turned his dark eyes to me. “I hope you slept well, Molly?”

“My name is Miss Greenwood. I slept very well, thank you.”

“I am so happy to hear it, Molly. April as well enjoyed a good night’s rest? I don’t want the girl looking hagged.”

“Miss Brodie enjoyed a good night’s rest.”

“What time can we expect her to arise?”

“She arises when she feels like it. Apparently she does not feel like it yet.”

“I can wait. I am taking her for a drive in my curricle this morning.”

“The three of us will be squeezed, milord. Don’t think you are taking her alone anywhere, for you are not.”

“I never object to being squeezed by women. I consider it one of life’s little joys.” We fell silent while his breakfast was served. When the servant left, he continued. "Alton hid on me last night, making it impossible for me to come to terms with him. But I begin to realize it is yourself who is in charge of business matters for the group.

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