Abandoned to the Prodigal - Mary Lancaster Page 0,11
of water for the lady!”
“No, no, I’m fine,” she insisted. “It’s just I was afraid he associated me with the article in that horrid paper, and I thought you…” She broke off, grateful to see Mrs. Burton, the innkeeper’s wife, emerging from the kitchen, wiping her floury hands on her apron. Daniel straightened and stepped back.
“Why, my lady!” Mrs. Burton exclaimed, hurrying toward her. “Maizie! Bring water this instant! Is your ladyship ill?”
“No, no, just tired. I wonder if you could arrange for a chaise—with two seats.”
“It’ll be about an hour to wait. Why don’t I send instead to Hornby Park…”
“Then, I shall have to wait two hours. Please, Mrs. Burton.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Burton curtseyed and glared at Daniel while Juliet took the glass of water from the maid. “And what can I do for you, sir?”
“Nothing, thank you,” Daniel replied politely, just as Gun trotted across the room toward her.
She squealed in fright and backed away. “What in God’s holy name…! Does that beast belong to you, sir?”
“He does, but—”
“I’ll thank you to get it out of my coffee room before he eats my guests!”
“He is quite harmless,” Daniel assured her, pulling the dog’s ears.
“Unless you tell him to fire,” Juliet reminded him. Suddenly, she wanted to laugh, and Daniel grinned at her, making it worse.
“Inappropriate humor,” he admitted. “But who could resist?”
“Please let him stay, Mrs. Burton,” Juliet said, sobering. “He is very well-mannered as you see, and he’ll come with us in the chaise. Oh, and this is Mr. Stewart, who is on his way to Myerly.”
“Secretly,” Daniel said unexpectedly. “So, I’d be very grateful if you didn’t tell.”
“Mr. Stewart?” the innkeeper’s wife repeated, distracted. “Then you are Miss Jenny’s son? I beg your pardon, Mrs. Stewart’s son. His lordship’s grandson.”
“Indeed, I am. But for his lordship’s health, I don’t want anyone mentioning I was ever here.”
Surprisingly, Mrs. Burton nodded sagely with another glance at Juliet. “I see. Of course, my lips are sealed. There will be no gossip reaches either of their lordships through my servants or me.”
“Thank you,” Juliet said as she bustled away. She raised her gaze from Mrs. Burton’s back to Daniel. “What on earth were you talking about? What is the secrecy about?”
Daniel pulled a chair to sit astride it with his arms resting across its back. “Nothing, of course. Just didn’t want gossip circulating about you and me traveling together. She clearly knows my grandfather and your father don’t talk and why.”
Intrigued, Juliet said, “I just thought no one spoke to Lord Myerly. Is there a feud?”
“I wouldn’t call it a feud,” Daniel said, “And I’m not sure you should look quite so delighted by a quarrel.”
“Actually, I was hoping for scandal,” she said ruefully. “I need all the ammunition or at least all the sympathy I can muster from my father.”
“Sadly, he was pretty much blameless. The scandal was my mother’s. She was engaged to your father and then ran off with mine. Your father apparently blamed my grandfather, who would never have accepted any kind of criticism for anything, let alone blame.”
“Oh, dear,” Juliet said. “And that is the real reason your grandfather quarrels with you? Because he disapproves of your father?”
Daniel shrugged. “To be honest, I never heard of anyone he does approve of. I’m actually honored because he has never let my mother in the house since the day she left, while I have been summoned several times over the years.”
“Then I can see why your heart isn’t really in this reconciliation,” she said. “And I’m glad you’ve decided to come in the chaise.”
“Well, someone has to protect you from oily toads and weasels.” Slowly, he drew the newspaper from inside his coat. “Is this the reason you fled London on the stagecoach?”
She blinked rapidly. “I had been staying with my betrothed’s family when I was summoned by the princess. The next morning, when I returned, they would not receive me. Jer… my betrothed ended our engagement without even listening to me. He gave me money to get home, and I was too proud to take it.”
His eyes remained steady on hers. She was sure she saw a spark of anger there.
“Did you love him very much?”
“I thought I did.” She dragged her gaze free. “But how could I love someone so shallow, so devoid of feeling or even interest in me?” She cast him a difficult smile. “I believe Jeremy must be one of your oily toads.”