Nine
“Odd, but I thought you mentioned that Lady Greatheart and her granddaughter planned to attend the dinner party,” the Duchess of Wesley said by way of greeting as she walked into her late husband’s study.
Quin had been reviewing documents and wasn’t paying much mind to his mother’s entrance or words.
“Pardon?” He lifted a piece of paper and studied the scrawled writing. His eyes narrowed in an attempt to decipher the wording.
“Are you paying attention this time?” his mother asked with an annoyed tone.
Quin set the paper down, made a quick note, and then folded his hands over the desk and leaned forward, a taunting smirk on his lips.
“If only you were always so attentive,” his mother quipped. “I was saying you mentioned that Lady Greatheart and Catherine were coming tonight, and I have received no acceptance of my invitation. It’s not like them to say one thing and do another.” She waved a hand dismissively.
Quin released a pent-up breath. “I have no idea, Mother. They said they plan to attend. Something might have come up. I’d not worry.” He turned his attention back to the papers.
When his mother didn’t move to leave, he looked up from his work. “Was there something else?”
“My, you’re testy today,” the Duchess of Wesley remarked, then took a few steps forward, lowering her voice. “I heard something and, well, I think you should perhaps check on Lady Greatheart.”
Quin frowned. “And what did the gossipmongers have to say this time? I can assure you I will not care for it.”
The Duchess of Wesley glanced behind her to the open door, then turned back to her son. “The doctor was summoned. And no one has seen either lady since,” she whispered.
Quin nodded. “If you’re concerned, why not call upon them yourself?”
“I did,” the Duchess of Wesley replied, surprising Quin.
“You did? When?” Curious, Quin set the papers back in place and leaned forward, this time actually interested.
“As soon as I heard the news, I went. Their butler was very kind but refused me entry. Odd, don’t you think?” She raised her eyebrows meaningfully.
“Perhaps they weren’t at home,” Quin replied, shrugging.
“No one has seen them!” his mother repeated.
Losing interest, Quin retrieved the papers for the third time. “Maybe they aren’t taking callers. There’s a plethora of valid reasons,” he replied absentmindedly.
The Duchess of Wesley laid her hands on the desk. “I want you to check in with them. You’ve established some sort of friendship with them, haven’t you? If something is amiss with Lady Greatheart, why…” She waited till Quin looked up. “Lady Catherine has no one else.”
Quin tapped his finger on the desk. “Very well. I’ll call on them this afternoon when I finish.” He gestured to the table.
“Thank you,” his mother intoned, relaxing her anxious posture. “It’s just that, with all that Lady Catherine has endured, it would be a pity for her to be alone.”
“I understand. You’ve communicated very clearly,” Quin remarked, his eyes still on the papers.
“I’ll leave you to your work.” And with a swish of fabric, his mother quit the room, leaving silence in her wake.
Quin set the papers down again. Bloody hell, he couldn’t focus. He’d already been struggling before his mother came in, and now trying to concentrate was utterly useless. It had been a few days since he’d seen Lady Catherine and Lady Greatheart for their stroll in the park, and he had fought the inclination to visit them since. But he’d kept his distance; no reason for people to draw incorrect conclusions. It was safer, better for him to keep some space lest thetonget the wrong idea regarding his intentions.
Leave it to his mother to find him another valid excuse to do that which he already wished to do. She was becoming quite helpful—though he’d never tell her. He set the papers aside and rose from the desk. The tall grandfather clock showed three in the afternoon, a perfectly acceptable time to make a social call. So he abandoned the study and headed for the foyer to call for his carriage.
Not long after, he studied the entrance of the Greatheart house. He took the stone steps two at a time, then halted to knock at the door.
There was a short pause before the door opened. “Your Grace, how may I be of service?” the Greatheart butler inquired, his expression unreadable.
“Good day. I was…” Quin paused, remembering his mother’s earlier attempt to gain entrance and quickly changed his plan. “Just accepting Lady Catherine’s invitation.”
It was a bloody lie.