The Viscount's Christmas Miracle by Erin Grace

Author:Erin Grace [Grace, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-24T04:00:00+00:00

‘I am Lady Stanton.’ The faded chintz settee was far from inviting, yet Iris Stanton didn’t wish to stand on ceremony. She eyed the seat for any obvious stains that might transfer then gingerly sat down. ‘No tea, thank you. I shan’t be staying long. I am expected elsewhere.’

‘Lady Stanton? Of course! Do excuse me. How wonderful to meet you at last. I didn’t recognize you from the funeral service the other week. Though, I suppose one could put that down to the heavy black veil you were wearing at the time. Most proper, I must say. And, so elegant. It was a pity you had to leave directly after the final blessing.’

Her teeth ground at the woman’s incessant babbling, but she forced a stern smile. ‘Allow me to be frank, Mrs Talbot. I have come here on a matter most grave.’

The woman paled into silence. She almost smiled at the delightful change. ‘Oh, my lady. I sincerely hope no one in your family has passed away. However, if that were the case, I would be only too happy to arrange…’

‘On the contrary, Mrs Talbot. It is not a funeral I seek to arrange, but the timely intervention of us both before a horrendous mistake is made. And, your niece is at the centre of this potentially disastrous affair.’

‘Stephaney? Oh, you mean, Lily? What has she done?’

‘I have it on good authority that Miss Bowden has been paying far too much attention to Captain Holsworthy.’

With a deep sense of satisfaction, she thought about the letters tucked away in her reticule, from her secret confidante within the village. Such loyalty would not go unrewarded.

Mrs Talbot floundered. ‘Why…why I shall talk to her immediately. At least, I shall talk to her when she gets home. She is due for her first afternoon away from Etford Park tomorrow…’

Good God. The woman looked about to swoon – something she detested entirely.

‘…I allowed her to work at Etford Park - at my sister-in-law’s great insistence and this is the thanks I get. I am shocked, deeply shocked, that Lily would be flirting in such a manner with his lordship’s son.’

She blinked in disbelief. The woman’s speed was dizzying. In fact, she hadn’t even seen Mrs Talbot draw breath once.

‘I wouldn’t say flirting, Mrs Talbot, but as we are both women, you can understand how something even minor could be misconstrued.’

‘Oh, I do indeed, your ladyship. I should have known nothing but trouble would have come from her accepting that position. But, what is one to do?’ Mrs Talbot removed a small handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at her nose. ‘She is family, after all, and it is so unkind of her to risk ruining our good standing with his lordship.’

She restrained the sudden urge to roll her eyes at the overwhelming outpour of emotion. Pity none of it could be considered genuine. The woman should have been on the stage.

She forced a smile to her lips. ‘My dear, Mrs Talbot, may I call you Henrietta? I’m sure it was nothing that cannot be rectified at this point.

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