Grand Deception: A Tapestry of Love Romance by Rebecca Ward

Author:Rebecca Ward [Ward, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: White Glove
Published: 2014-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Blathering old fool. Who asked him to interfere?”

With a fulminating eye, Penry watched Sir Minton shake hands with Carlisle and Severn and then hop nimbly into his landau.

It was the day after Christmas, and Carlisle House was being emptied of its guests. First to go was Smull, who had left early on that Boxing Day after an emotional interview with Sir Minton.

“Told him he was a young cabbagehead,” Sir Minton had later explained. “Told him it was against the law to go around skewerin’ and shootin’ people he disagreed with. Not good ton, by the Lord Harry. Besides, Longmain had known Bretagne, I said. Not likely to like the idea of havin’ his nephew murder young Severn. Told Smull that without Longmain’s protection he’d be packin’ for the continent.”

Apparently Sir Minton’s advice had hit home, for the Honorable Quincey Smull had withdrawn his challenge and departed in a foot-stamping temper. Sir Minton, who was inclined to wax complacent about having averted bloodshed, did not seem to notice that the Carlisles were not overwhelming him with thanks. In fact, when he announced his intention to leave for Trague Close now that Christmas was over and the roads were clear, no one except Cleo seemed to care.

Now a forlorn Cleo stood with her brother and Miranda at the drawing-room window. Suddenly she brightened. Before following his sire into the landau, George cast a last and speaking glance toward Carlisle House.

“Young ass,” snarled Penry, who had observed that glance. Then he returned to his earlier condemnation of Sir Minton. “Hope his carriage hits a rut and becomes mired. Bag of moonshine. Bacon-brained old bleater. If only he’d left well enough alone, we’d be in possession of Severn by now.”

“You’ve heard about Severn Manor, then?”

Glowering, Penry turned from the window. “Oh, it’s you,” he said rudely. “Thought you and the pater were sending the old . . . sending Sir Minton off.”

“Indeed I was. But how did you hear the news about Severn?”

Lady Otto, who had entered the room at this moment, asked coldly, “What news?”

“Madam Cousin, Ram Gunga has brought me word this very morning. Since I am required to supervise some innovations at Severn Manor, I must leave this cheerful haven and return to my ancestral home.”

Penry snapped, “Much fortune may it bring you.”

Taking this at face value, the earl seized his hand and shook it heartily. “Thank you for your good wishes,” he cried. “I would be a knocking-faced ingrate if I ever forgot your hospitality. I hope that you will give me the pleasure of visiting Severn Manor soon.” He turned to Lady Otto and added fervently, “It is my hope that you will be there when the Prince Regent comes to visit me.”

Lady Otto fairly writhed. Her lord, who had followed his lady into the room during this speech, looked as if he had been sucking lemons. “When do you leave?” he demanded.

“At once, alas. All is packed and ready.” As Chetak Dass and Ram Gunga appeared in the hallway, Severn said, “I see that the carriage has been summoned.

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