The Lady Tamed (Saints and Sinners #4) - Heather Boyd Page 0,2
really is a celebration. But her grace was just telling me that your father will not be joining us today. Surely that cannot be true.”
“Yes, I’m afraid it is,” she promised, eying the crowd in the hope of rescue.
Letterford drew closer. “Nothing seriously wrong, I trust.”
“No.” Fanny waved her hand about, discreetly shifting her body farther away from his. “A matter on the estate required his attention, I believe.”
Letterford sighed. “I’m glad to hear it, for it wouldn’t do to have two estates in distress.”
Fanny frowned at him. “What other estate is in distress?”
“All is not well with Hawthorne, I hear,” Letterford whispered.
Fanny hadn’t heard a word of it from anyone at home. “I’m sure that is not true.”
“I hope you are right,” Letterford said. “But my servants say otherwise. Bad health might yet take one of our dearest neighbors.”
Servants often knew there was trouble before anyone else. She would have to squeeze in a visit to the Hawthornes’ tomorrow, confirm all was well, and put an end to any rumors.
Jessica and Gideon strolled past, arm in arm, and Fanny frowned when they disappeared outside together.
“Now, don’t begrudge the pair their happiness,” Letterford murmured. “You and I know love is all too fleeting. Let her have this happy time, for we both know it ends all too soon.”
Unfortunately, that was true.
Letterford offered his arm, and Fanny, seeing no chance of diversion, resigned herself to being stuck with him for a while. Rebecca, Rafferty, and Ava hurried past, laughing together, and Fanny wished she might follow, but Letterford was as slow as an ancient drake. “I never thought there was a man brave enough to take on Mrs. Warner and smile about it.”
“He knows her nature very well.”
“Yes, practically grown up together,” Letterford said.
“Hardly that,” Fanny chided. “But he has been a regular visitor to Stapleton and my father for some years, like yourself. I’m sure he’s well prepared to make a second match.”
Rafferty would be her father’s second friend to end up married to one of his daughters, too. Fanny vowed not to be the third to fall foul of that dangerous trend.
Fanny wished she’d arranged for Mr. Dawes to travel with her instead of waiting for his new wardrobe to be delivered to him. She’d not known the extent of the wedding festivities until after her arrival. “Lady Rivers, I wonder if I might consult you on a matter of grave importance to me.”
Please do not propose to me for a second time, I beg of you!
Fanny winced but then out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Gillian, Duchess of Stapleton, watching her and Letterford talking. Gillian beckoned Fanny to join her, and it appeared to Fanny imperative that she go. “Forgive me but it seems I am being summoned by the duchess. Would you excuse me?”
Lord Letterford’s shoulders sagged. “Of course, perhaps we might talk again later.”
Not if I can help it. Fanny smiled politely. “I look forward to it.”
But she fully intended to go out of her way to avoid the earl for the rest of the day so he could not finish asking a question that he’d only receive a negative answer to. She would not marry Letterford to cheer him up, restore his fortunes, or fund any improvements to his estate or back an unwise investment.
Fanny caught up her friend and new mama’s outstretched hands and held them. “What is wrong,” she murmured.
“The babe is kicking again, and I’m in danger of laughing out loud.” Gillian squeezed her fingers. “Lord Thwaite’s eyes kept dipping to my stomach as the babe moved. He seemed horrified and kept asking if I needed a chair. Do children not know there’s a time and place for this sort of thing?”
“Apparently not.” Fanny looked down at Gillian’s stomach. “Quiet, infant. Your mother is supposed to be composed and regal today.”
Gillian sighed after a minute. “At last. Peace and stillness. You wield the voice of authority so well. Your father’s presence has the same affect.”
“I am the eldest.”
“When your brother Samuel arrived and spoke to me, I had to quickly seat myself. Obviously, the child is looking forward to meeting his stepbrother a little too much.”
Fanny laughed. “Poor darling. Not long now.”
“Oh, I do hope so.”
Jessica suddenly stopped in front of them. “You need to go to Rebecca, Fanny. She’s in the dining room on the verge of…well, you know how she can be.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Fanny promised.
She left Gillian and found Rebecca and a harassed-looking pair