Marchington Scandal by Jane Ashford

Author:Jane Ashford
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2014-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

The following afternoon, just after luncheon, Lord Stonenden unexpectedly called at the Daltrys’ again. Mary had gone upstairs to lie down, so Katharine received him alone in the drawing room. She was both puzzled and intrigued when the visitor was announced, for Stonenden had never called upon them except to sit for his portrait.

When he came in, he was smiling, and Katharine smiled in answer. “What is it?” she asked. “You look very pleased with yourself.”

“I am. I can stay only a moment, but I had to come to tell you that I have discovered a way you may observe the exhibition of your painting without being seen.”

“You are roasting me. I didn’t take that suggestion seriously.”

“Why not? It is extremely logical. You do not wish to face a gaping crowd; I understand that only too well. But you would not mind seeing how your work is received. Well, I have found a solution.” His smile broadened, and his dark blue eyes twinkled mischievously.

Katharine laughed. “Out with it, then.”

He drew a sheet of paper from an inner pocket. “I have laid it out so that you can see what I mean.” He put the paper on a small table and gestured for her to sit down beside him. “The ballroom in my house has three doorways,” he went on. “The large double entrance doors, the passage to the supper room, and this small one.” He pointed to a diagram on the sheet. “It leads to a corridor that runs to the kitchen, and it is a recessed door. I propose to move one of the large tapestries a few feet to the left, covering this small doorway. That will leave a niche behind the cloth where you can put a chair. You can peek around the tapestry and see and hear everything. I will hang your painting nearby. And if you get tired, you can simply go out the door and leave the house through the back premises.” He looked up, still smiling. “Is that not a first-rate plan?”

Katharine laughed again. “You look like a little boy who has discovered how to escape his nurse.”

“Well, I feel rather like one. I can’t remember having such fun since I slipped away from my tutor and spent the day with the gamekeeper’s son poaching the neighbors’ pheasant run.”

“You didn’t! I can’t believe it of you, Lord Stonenden.” Her amber eyes brimmed with laughter.

“Oh, yes. We had a famous time. I have always thought it was worth the whipping I got for it. But what do you think of my idea?”

“I think it is wonderful. Easily worth three whippings.”

He looked down at her, startled, then began to laugh. “It won’t come to that, fortunately. But you will do it, then?”

“Assuredly. I would not miss it for anything.”

“Splendid. I’ll have the tapestry moved at once.” He looked down at his diagram with manifest satisfaction.

“I have never seen you so pleased,” said Katharine. “Why is this so important to you? It is kind of you to think of me, but…”

“It is only partly that,” he admitted.

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