in1 by The Lady In Question

Author:The Lady In Question
Language: eng
Format: epub

t see him at all this evening.” Miss Effington studied him carefully and he couldn’t help but wonder if she believed his story or considered him some kind of slacker.

“Oh, dear.” Delia turned a worried gaze toward him. “Are you all right? Should you be up and about?”

“I am quite well, ma’am. It was nothing at all.” His voice was firm. “No doubt something I ate.”

“I did think the food had vastly improved,” she murmured, studying him far too closely for comfort.

“Very well, then, if you’re sure.” Delia turned toward her sister. “Thank you again. If you need me —”

“Oh, I shan’t need you.” Miss Effington grinned. “I can handle Mother. In truth, I rather look forward to it. Besides, the thrill of being the good sister has worn rather thin.”

“I thought it would,” Delia said wryly.

A few moments later, Miss Effington took her leave.

“Did the” — he cleared his throat — “evening go well, ma’am?”

“The evening was not without its merits.” Delia crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t approve, do you?”

“It’s not my place to approve or disapprove, my lady.”

“I see.” Delia’s voice was thoughtful. She turned and headed toward the library. “Would you care to join me for a brandy and a game, Gordon? I am far too restless to sleep. Brandy and losing a game or two to you should do the trick.”

“As you wish.” Tony stepped to the door, pulled it open an instant before she reached it, congratulated himself on his timing and followed her into the room. She headed toward the backgammon table, while he proceeded to the liquor cabinet. He poured them each a glass, then joined her at the table.

She sipped the brandy he’d handed her absently. They started the game in relative silence and continued through one long move after another. For a woman who claimed to be too restless to sleep, she was unusually subdued and it was damnably irritating. Indeed, she’d been uncharacteristically quiet ever since she’d returned to London. In his role as Gordon, Tony thought he had mastered the art of patience, and up to now he had not pressed her for her thoughts, but apparently his patience had a limit.

“Have I offended you in some way, Lady Wilmont?” He forced an offhand note to his voice.

“Other than the fact that you have thoroughly trounced me every night for the last three? Why, no.”

Delia studied the backgammon table. “Why do you ask?”

“You have been remarkably quiet since your return from the country, and remarkably quiet tonight as well.”

“I thought you preferred silence when you played.”

“Silence from you, my lady, is more disturbing than noise.”

She glanced up at him. “Forgive me, Gordon, my mind has been occupied with other concerns of late.”

“Forgive me, my lady, if I overstep my bounds.”

“Not at all,” she said firmly. “I have already given you leave to speak your mind. I do not intend to renege on that now simply because I am preoccupied.”

“Might I be so forward as to ask

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