Although she was wearing powder, rouge, and something to make her lashes appear darker, she applied the products with an expert hand. Yet there were still lines at the corners of her eyes betraying her age, as well as a softening of the skin beneath her chin.
For some reason Jennifer had thought Maggie was Gordon’s age. Not someone old enough to be his mother.
“And you are?” Maggie asked, her thin lips formed into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Jennifer Adaire.”
A name not unknown to Maggie, from the flash of recognition in her glance. “Oh yes, Gordon’s little friend.”
Gordon’s little friend?
Ellen stepped between them. “We’re here for information, and I hope you can provide it. Do you know when Gordon is returning to London? The majordomo at his house said that he had returned to Scotland. Is that true?”
“It is. That’s as much as I can tell you. Anything more than that would be considered confidential. I couldn’t betray a trust.”
That last was said with a quick look in Jennifer’s direction.
She’d never had such a reaction to anyone so instantly, but Jennifer did not like Maggie Boyland. It was an instinctual feeling, and one that she would have to investigate later, but for now she forced a smile to her lips. The woman was not going to have the ability to rile her. Or goad her to say something Jennifer would regret later.
“Are you certain you can’t tell us where he’s gone?” Ellen’s voice was positively dripping with sweetness.
Jennifer almost rolled her eyes but kept her gaze on the floor.
“It is quite important that we reach him.”
“I believe he’s gone to Edinburgh,” Maggie said, unbending enough to give them that information. “Beyond that I can’t say.”
“Have you no idea when he’ll return?” Ellen asked.
“I didn’t say that. I said that I wasn’t going to divulge anything further.”
“Why not?” Jennifer asked, unable to keep silent. “We mean no harm to Gordon. Surely you know that. If you know my name, then you realize that Gordon and I have had a relationship of long standing.”
“I know that you have had a difficult relationship,” Maggie said. Her smile altered character, becoming almost a sneer.
Once again, Ellen tried to calm troubled waters. “We truly do need to reach Gordon. It’s on a matter of some importance.”
“I really can’t say,” Maggie said.
“You really won’t say,” Jennifer said, stepping to the side so that Ellen was no longer between them.
Maggie was slightly taller, which was annoying. Jennifer would have liked to tower over the woman.
“Why should I tell you anything, Lady Jennifer? Yes, I know exactly who you are.”
Ellen stepped between them again. “I commend your loyalty, Maggie, but believe me when I tell you that it’s misplaced in this instance. Gordon will not be pleased to learn that you’ve turned us away without information.”
Instead of looking chastened, Maggie smiled again, a smug, self-satisfied smile.
“My loyalty has never been misplaced, Mrs. Thornton, and it isn’t in this case. Now, if you don’t mind leaving, I have work to do.”
“Thank you for giving us your time,” Ellen said, her voice decidedly frosty.
Neither woman spoke as they left the office. As they entered the carriage, Ellen said, “What a disagreeable woman. She didn’t appear that way when I first met her, I can assure you.”
“She didn’t like me, but that’s all right,” Jennifer said. “I didn’t like her.”
Ellen gave instructions to her driver to take them home.
“What are we going to do now?” Jennifer asked.
“There is nothing to do but reconnoiter. Is there anyone else in London who might know where Gordon is and when he will be returning?”
Jennifer shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“We’ll find him. It may not be the reunion you wanted. You might have to wait a few days or even longer, but he’ll return to London shortly, I’m sure.”
She glanced at Ellen. “If I had been more pleasant, do you think she would’ve told us? Is it my fault that she didn’t?”
“I truly don’t think it would’ve made a difference. She’s extremely protective of Gordon.”
Jennifer stared out the window at the passing scenery.
“I shall send a note around to the majordomo at Gordon’s home and ask him to inform Gordon that we are in London. I’ll also give him my address so that when he returns, he’ll come to see you.”
“If he will,” Jennifer said. “There’s every possibility he’ll avoid me. He doesn’t know the truth, you see.”
Ellen frowned. “There’s that.” After a moment she said, “Never mind. I shall think of something.”