The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington by Anna Bradley

Author:Anna Bradley [Bradley, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2020-12-16T17:14:15+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Despite Mrs. Honeywell’s frantic promises the night before, Miss Honeywell had not come to her senses by the following morning. The two of them descended the stairs dressed in their traveling cloaks before breakfast, Mrs. Honeywell red-faced and breathless, and her daughter pale and determined.

Gideon had been informed of their imminent departure and had dragged a reluctant Haslemere with him into the entrance hall to bid them goodbye.

“My lord.” Miss Honeywell swept down the stairs with all the dignity a lady who’d spent the previous night shrieking like a banshee could possibly muster. “I regret our betrothal has come to such a sad pass.”

Gideon, who’d spend a good part of the night wondering why he didn’t feel even a twinge of regret at the loss of his betrothed, offered her a polite bow. “I’m truly sorry for—”

“Lord Darlington.” Mrs. Honeywell grasped Gideon’s arm before he could say another word. “Do talk some sense into the girl, won’t you?”

“Miss Honeywell appears to have made up her mind, madam.” Gideon frowned down at the stout fingers twisting his coat sleeve. “I don’t know what you’d have me say.”

“Why, that you didn’t murder your wife, of course, and thus there’s no reason for her to haunt Darlington Castle. I’m certain the late Marchioness of Darlington has more sense than to haunt a perfectly innocent gentleman like yourself. It’s all a terrible misunderstanding.”

“I beg your pardon, madam, but I believe your daughter has made herself quite clear on that matter.” Haslemere, who’d had more than enough of Mrs. Honeywell, spoke through clenched teeth. “She believes Lord Darlington to be a murderer. Given the circumstances, I can’t think why he’d wish to marry her, even if she did change her mind.”

Miss Honeywell glared at Haslemere, then drew herself up stiffly. “Indeed, Mama, you waste your breath.”

Mrs. Honeywell looked between the three stony faces, and threw her hands up in the air. “You’re a great fool, Fanny, and you’ll be made to realize it soon enough when we return to London, and no one who matters will deign to speak to you. But as you say, I’ve wasted enough breath on you, and shan’t say another word on the matter.”

With that, Mrs. Honeywell swept out the front entrance in a dramatic swirl of skirts, marched across the drive, and with her coachman’s assistance, heaved herself into the carriage. Fanny followed after her mother without a backward glance. Gideon and Haslemere trailed after them and watched as the coach rounded the curve at the end of the drive and vanished from sight.

“I’d wager my pair of matched bays Mrs. Honeywell will find she has a great deal more to say on this matter, after all.” Haslemere turned to Gideon. “What say you, Darlington?”

Gideon shrugged. “Only that I’m glad I’m not Miss Honeywell. Unless she marries a duke, her mother will be berating her for losing a marquess until she’s old and gray. Better to marry a murderous marquess than die a spinster.”

Haslemere snorted. “I can’t say I’m sorry to see them go.

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