As she sealed the small bottle of expensive perfume, Leigh replied, “Uncle Chad is very nice. He’s taking good care of me. This new world is strange and intimidating at times; it’s so different from ranch-life. I’m glad I have Uncle Chad and all his friends to help me adjust.” She met Louisa’s probing gaze in the mirror and said, “You two look very happy together. When are you getting married?” Leigh hoped that calling Chad her uncle would fool the woman into thinking she viewed him as kin, not as an available attractive man. She also hoped that Louisa believed she was pleased they were a couple and would eventually wed. But that she wasn’t. Chad deserved a better woman than Louisa Jennings!
Louisa laughed heartily. “Chadwick Hamilton doesn’t have marriage in mind any time in the near future. And you? Did you have a suitor in America?”
Leigh seized the opportunity to divert the conversation from Chad. “The foreman on my aunt’s ranch courted me. He’s very handsome and virile, and all the girls craved him. He has cornsilk hair, eyes like chocolate, and a sunny smile.” She let her dreamy smile fade. “But men who are too handsome and charming make me nervous and wary. If anything is supposed to happen between us, it will one day. Father always told me that fate tracks us down wherever we go. If it doesn’t, I’m sure Tyler will. He’s determined to win me.”
Cynthia entered the room and gaped at the two laughing females. “I wondered where you were, Louisa. What’s taking you so long?”
Leigh watched the brunette ignore her presence, approach the mirror, and take a seat to repair her grooming. “Louisa and I were getting better acquainted, Marquise Campbell.”
“Please call her Cynthia. After all, my dear Leigh, you have far more money than she does.”
Leigh flushed and lowered her head as if embarrassed, but she was infuriated. She wanted to make progress toward a friendly relationship with both females before their trip, but how could she if Louisa antagonized her friend?
Cynthia scowled. “That was mean, Louisa.”
“I was only teasing, and you know it. Leigh is a darling girl, and I’m afraid we haven’t been very nice to her. We’ll change that tonight. From now on, we’ll be best of friends. Agreed?”
The brown-haired woman gaped at Louisa as if she were drunk, then her chocolate gaze shifted to Leigh.
“Admit it, Cynthia,” Louisa said. “We got off on the wrong foot. You and I were accustomed to being the centers of attention until this lovely child arrived from America. We were jealous of her youth and beauty. There, I’ve said it. So, let’s forget it and move forward.”
Laura Leigh Webster and Marquise Cynthia Campbell looked at each other strangely. Then both shrugged and smiled.
“Good. We’re about to leave on a wonderful trip, so let’s do it in grand style. Such fun awaits us there.”
Leigh smiled and said, “Thank you, Louisa. You don’t know how much it means to me for us to be friends. Uncle Chad will be happy.”
“No, Leigh, he’ll beecstatic,” Cynthia remarked, rolling her eyes heavenward. “Pass me that lip cream, Louisa. I need repairs badly.”
“I think I’ll get something to drink. My throat is dry,” Leigh told them, wanting to get out of the room as quickly as possible, for her pretense was strenuous work and she was running out of small talk.
The moment the door closed behind the blonde, Cynthia asked, “What in hell’s name was that about? Have you gone daft?”
Louisa’s green eyes narrowed and chilled. “That little tart! I hate her, Cynthia, but Chad insists we be nice to her. We’re going to be so good and sweet that candy will pale beside us. Neither of them will think we have a reason or the skills to harm little Leigh. Chad questioned me earlier about her attack, but I convinced him I didn’t pull a mean trick on his little ward.” Louisa related the talk to her best friend and cohort.
“You sly witch,” Cynthia accused. “I love it. How can I help?”
“Better than you did last night. Your stablemen did a sorry job. I hope you punished them,” the redhead spouted in vexation.
“It wasn’t their fault, love. If a tower of strength hadn’t happened along and rescued her, her ravished body would be floating in the Thames. At least Sean and Jaimie were dressed as sailors and didn’t give us away. I ordered them to stay hidden for a while.”
“Yes, we were all lucky last night,” Louisa agreed, “Since they didn’t steal her purse and the carriage driver didn’t keep the note, thank goodness she left it behind so that doorman could exchange them.”
Cynthia sighed in relief. “Those were good precautions. I’m glad it’s over. I was nervous when Chad left twice to check on her.”
“Me, too. I only hope that witness doesn’t give us trouble.”
“What’s next?”
Louisa halted her task to answer. “I have to be careful, Cynthia. If there’s anotheraccidenttoo soon, not only will Chad and Leigh get suspicious but so will the law. She has to be killed, and I have to snare that infuriating rake. How else can I get my hands on all that lovely money? Chad doesn’t know my family is nearly broke; Father’s managed to keep it a secret, but time’s running out. Once my lover learns the truth, he’ll be after Leigh with all his might.”
Cynthia grasped the woman’s hand and gazed into her green eyes. “You know I’ll do whatever I can to help you. We’re best friends, Louisa, and I love you dearly. Besides, it’s wicked fun.”
Giggling, the redhead playfully pinched Cynthia’s cheek. “I know.”
“Does Chad suspect you poisoned William?”
Louisa sent her an evil smile. “Never. I paid a lot for that special drug. His death looked like heart failure, as I was promised. But neither of us suspected the old man would leave everything to that little chit.”