Secrets of a Proper Countess by Lecia Cornwall

Author:Lecia Cornwall
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins US
Published: 2011-09-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Miranda clutched Phineas’s sleeve as the curtain fell for the interval of the play. “Oh, good heavens, Charles is coming over here!” He felt his sister shudder as Honoria waggled her fingers at Miranda across the theatre.

Marianne waved back, and Miranda grabbed her sister’s hand. “For pity’s sake, Marianne, waving will only encourage them!”

Marianne tugged her hand away and raised her opera glasses to follow Charles’s progress. “At least he’s bringing Isobel with him!”

Phineas’s gut tightened. He was supposed to be on his way to Maitland House, but if he left now it would look like a snub to Charles and Isobel. Not that he cared what they thought of his manners, but Charles might be suspicious, and his job was easier when no one suspected a thing. The arrest of the French agent was sure to have made someone nervous.

The Duchess of Welford rose. “We really must be getting back to Welford. He slept through the whole of the first act. If I don’t go and wake him, he’ll sleep through the second act as well. Come, Amelia, bid Blackwood good-night.”

Marianne lowered her opera glasses and turned to her sister. “Quick, Miranda, go with Her Grace and Amelia to the Welford box. If Charles follows you there, then go on to Colonel Lord Hollister’s box, with Her Grace’s permission, of course.”

“Oh, Mother won’t object,” Amelia said eagerly. “Anthony is here with his mother. Lady Hollister is my godmother.”

“Isn’t it undignified to be racing about the theatre to avoid someone?” Adam asked. “Miranda could simply remain here, preserve her dignity and say hello if he comes over. There is no guarantee he’s even heading this way.”

“He most certainly is, Adam. I know it in my bones,” Marianne argued. “Off you go, Miranda, or it will be too late.”

With a giggle, Miranda and Amelia fled.

Marianne fixed her husband with a scathing glare. “One would almost think you wished to see her married to that toad!”

Adam rolled his eyes. “I think I’ll go and order some champagne. I’ll leave you to your wicked schemes, my dear. Coming, Phin?”

Phineas rose to go, but Marianne caught his arm. “You can’t leave me alone to greet Charles Maitland! Whatever will I say to him? We need to give Miranda time to make her escape. You don’t mind, do you, Phin? Wouldn’t you like to say hello to Isobel?”

He most definitely did not wish to say hello or anything else to Isobel. He wished to go and search her brother-in-law’s desk, and rifle through Isobel’s drawers, but a lady’s entreaty, even when that lady was your sister, left a gentleman no choice but to bow and acquiesce to her wishes.

Phineas pasted a smile over gritted teeth and sat down, hoping there’d still be time to slip away once Marianne began to chatter to her friend. He tapped his fingers on his knee as he waited impatiently.

He leapt to his feet when Isobel Maitland entered with Charles.

“Isobel! What a lovely gown,” Marianne gushed. “How pretty you look tonight.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.