“My lord, Miss Bastion,” Lucy countered with polite nods to each.
“Are you not making calls today?” Miss Bastion asked with an arch to her expression that set Lucy’s teeth on edge.
“I awoke with a headache, so it was agreed a quiet day would benefit me far more than making visits.”
“A wise decision,” Lord Philips commented with a pleasant smile, but Miss Bastion’s expression continued to appear speculative. Lucy finally found her first real smile of the day as amusement managed to pierce her gloom.
“It was most pleasant to encounter both of you, but it isn’t likely you came in search of me, so I ought to wish you a good day,” Lucy finally said to rid herself of the pair after the usual pleasantries were exchanged.
Lord Philips’ smile appeared appreciative while Miss Bastion’s wavered between understanding and an indecisive expression as though she weren’t sure if she ought to object to being left with the pleasant viscount. Curiosity rode Lucy, but she forced herself to step away from the couple and carry on with her stroll without looking back to stare at the others. Miss Bastion’s maid was trailing behind the pair and Lucy trusted Lord Philips sufficiently to expect that Miss Bastion’s facial expression had more to do with her own inner disquiet than actual concern over her companionship.
Lucy had never been friends with the other woman, even when they went to school together. She suspected the other woman must have a rather tragic background, but Lucy didn’t consider that sufficient excuse for being mean to the other girls at school. As an adult, Lucy could make allowances that she didn’t understand as a child, but that didn’t mean they were going to suddenly become chums.
The encounter, though, had done enough to distract Lucy from her embarrassment over the night before and put her back into a state of intense curiosity about the scheme Gilbert had been investigating. With her headache gone and her regular fortitude restored, Lucy was determined to know for certain what was happening with the investigation. She had finally reached the park and realized there was nothing there to help her figure it out. It was just a park. There were no secret messages hidden anywhere for her to decipher. She would call at Northcott House. Surely Caroline would see her if nothing else.
“Mrs. Northcott will see you now,” the butler told her in a very important tone that had Lucy’s lips twitching with amusement despite the reasons for her visit.
“Miss Scranton, what a pleasant surprise.” Lucy refused to feel embarrassment for calling unannounced. She had been in and out of the Northcott residences since she was a youngster. She shouldn’t have to stand on ceremony even though she was now out in Society.
“I hope you mean that,” Lucy said with a cheeky grin that made her hostess laugh.
“I do, in fact,” Caroline replied immediately. “It is a surprise to see you, as Lady Isabelle mentioned you weren’t feeling the best, but I always enjoy your company.”
“I awoke with a headache so I stayed home from making calls this afternoon, but then I was too restless to stay in all day so I went for a walk. But while I was out for a walk, I realized I needed to know a few things.” Lucy took a deep breath and was about to ask if she could speak with Gilbert when they were interrupted.
“Lucy?”
Turning in her seat, Lucy saw Roderick staring at her as though he could barely believe his eyes. “I thought you were to remain home for the day.”
She didn’t have a ready reply but could see the avid interest in her hostess’ expression.
“Caro, you don’t mind if I speak to Lucy for a moment, do you?” Roderick asked without waiting for a reply, putting his arm under Lucy’s elbow and about to escort her from the room.
“As a matter of fact, Roddy, I think I must protest.” Caroline came to her feet and spoke in a calm but firm tone. “At least until you offer some sort of an explanation. Miss Scranton is no longer a little girl who can tag along with the boys without an escort. And well you know it. Unless she is a part of your project,” she added with a smile starting to spread across her face. “But even then, you shouldn’t be seeing her without a chaperone.”
“Just for a very brief moment, Caro, please,” Roderick said, almost pleading. Lucy considered protesting or interjecting or involving herself in some way but managed to hold her tongue.
“Five minutes, Roderick Northcott, that is all,” Caroline said firmly, as she headed for the door.
“She thinks I’m here to court you,” Lucy hissed at Roderick.
“Well you did offer yourself last night, so she isn’t very wrong in her assumption, is she, Lucy?”
Lucy’s mouth fell open, and she thought she might wither into dust from the embarrassment. “I never should have come here.”
“Why, exactly, did you?” Roderick asked, sounding more furious than Lucy thought him capable of being, even though he kept his volume low enough not to travel throughout the house. “I thought I was clear on the fact that you are in danger.”
“You weren’t clear on that, Roderick, to be honest. Although I felt you were trying to find a balance between not frightening me too badly and still trying to keep me safe. But I was bored at home, or perhaps merely restless. And then when I went out for a stroll, I realized I might as well seek out the information directly from the source.”
“My sister-in-law?”
“No, you noddy. I had to speak with her first, of course as the butler assumed she was who I had called to see, but I was just about to ask to speak with Gilbert when you walked in and demanded an audience.”
Roderick grabbed her upper arms and pulled her close. Lucy thought he was about to shake her to make her see sense. Instead, he pulled her scandalously close, a mere inch or two separating them. Lucy could feel his roiling emotions in waves of heat. She felt the heat go straight to her heart and wondered if her knees would stick to their assignment of keeping her standing straight.
Inexplicably, despite her tumult of confusion on the topic of Gilbert’s investigation and Roderick’s search for a wealthy wife, the strong desire to throw herself against his chest and cling for dear life that flooded her had nothing to do with said confusion as far as she could tell. Her chin almost became unhinged in her shock.
Had she fallen in love?
