Valerie King by Garden Of Dreams

Author:Garden Of Dreams [Dreams, Garden Of]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The following morning, Lucy was standing in the entrance hall pulling on her gloves of York tan when Robert stormed down the stairs, calling out at the top of his voice, “What the devil do you mean you are going to London? Why is this the first I have heard of your plans and where is it you mean to stay?”

Lucy turned sharply. She was quite startled by his address as well as by how quickly he descended the stairs. She could not help but take several steps backward. “I beg your pardon?”

“You are my ward until your birthday in two months’ time. Do you not feel obligated to at least inform me of your intentions?”

“ ’Tis only for two or three days.”

“Oh,” he responded. “Then you are not removing to London?”

“No, of course not. What made you think I was?”

“Hetty said you were going to London and somehow I supposed—then why the deuce are you going?”

“As it happens I have, er, business to attend to that cannot wait.”

“What business?” he asked suspiciously. “I am fully informed of your inheritance and all other pertinent matters. To my knowledge there is nothing for you to transact in London and certainly nothing that could not be managed by means of pen, ink, and paper if you are set on speaking with your solicitor.”

“Still, I must go.”

“Then you do not intend to tell me.”

Noting his stern expression, she found she had no desire at all to explain where she was going, or why, or with whom she meant most particularly to speak. She was reluctant, however, to withhold the truth from him. “I am going to see my aunt, my mother’s elderly sister, who resides in Cheapside.”

Robert narrowed his eyes. She could see his suspicion deepen. “I have known you for a very long time and I especially comprehend that particular expression of yours, one of complete innocence, and when you open your eyes that wide—Lucy, you might as well tell me precisely what it is you mean to do in London.”

“I fear our darling Lucy,” Henry said, as he sauntered into the entrance hall, “is intent on calling upon Lord Valmaston.”

Lucy glanced at Henry, wondering both who had told him what she was doing and why he was so angry. Robert she could understand, for he was always displeased with something or other about her, but Henry rarely displayed even the smallest displeasure.

“Valmaston?” Robert cried. “You are going to London to call upon Valmaston? What the devil for?”

“You need not shout, Robert. I am standing but four feet from you.”

“Tell me this is not true.”

She was silent for a moment, then said, “It is true.” She folded her hands, now neatly gloved in fine soft leather, in front of her. So much anger swept over Robert’s face that she only barely refrained from taking two more steps backward.

He shook his head several times. “But why? To what purpose? He has already agreed to attend Anne and Alice’s come-out ball and I have already said he may stay at Aldershaw for a few days.

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