The Meddler by Archer Kate

Author:Archer, Kate
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2022-02-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Lady Annabelle had flung open the door to her apartment in the retiring room and cried, “You!” Georgiana though it might not have been a particularly alarming thing to say had it not been said in an accusing tone. A condemning tone, really.

“Lady Annabelle?” Georgiana said, for lack of anything more intelligent to say at the sight of the disheveled young lady with very red eyes.

Lady Annabelle staggered back and collapsed on the settee. She heaved sobs.

Whatever Georgiana’s prior feelings had been for the lady, she could not ignore that she was in a dire state. She hurried in and sat next to her, handing her a handkerchief from the neatly piled stack on the side table.

“Whatever has happened,” Georgiana said, “please do allow me to assist you.”

“You cannot help me,” Lady Annabelle said, “nobody can. He despises me!”

“I cannot believe that,” Georgiana said. “Whoever you think of, I am certain it was only a misunderstanding.”

Georgiana might have wished she had not posited that idea. Lady Annabelle, determined to prove Georgiana wrong and show her that there had been no misunderstanding whatsoever, poured out the story of Lord Langley’s insult. She, a marquess’ daughter, had no manners, according to him.

It seemed incredible. Of course, Georgiana had speculated that Lord Langley was not overcome by the lady, but he would never be cruel.

“But why should he say that you had no manners?” Georgiana asked. “That does not sound very like him. What on earth could you have said to cause such a grievous insult?”

Lady Annabelle seemed rather uncomfortable with that particular line of questioning, twisting her handkerchief into a small knot. “Well, I only said, oh I don’t know exactly. You know, you did fall off your horse and I did hear your grandfather was in trade and I suppose I said…something about that.”

Georgiana was rather taken aback, though she supposed she ought not be surprised. What did cause surprise, though, was that Lord Langley would have put up a spirited enough defense of her to cause Lady Annabelle to collapse in a heap.

“Oh, Miss Wilcox, you do not know what a terrible person I am!” Lady Annabelle said. “I am really the worst person on earth and deserve no consideration at all!”

Georgiana had often thought so herself, though she knew very well that might be taking things a bit far. The lady was irritating, but hardly grand enough to be the very worst person on earth. She patted Lady Annabelle’s hand and said, “If you really were, you would hardly claim it. I am certain that the very worst person on earth, whoever they are, has engaged in far darker deeds and keeps them a closely guarded secret.”

“So I’ve got that wrong too,” Lady Annabelle said. “You see, I am very stupid and have nothing but my looks and mama says I have to make the most of them. I cannot make enough of them, though. No matter how many times I point them out or point out a wrong done by another lady so I might look better, it matters not.

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