“I am George,” said the boy who had spoken.“And I would rise to meet you.But my leg does not allow it.”
“Given the hour that I am arriving in your house, with so little warning, I expect no one to rise to meet me,” Leith answered, his eyes sliding to the second boy on the settee.
“And I am Severn,” he said.“George and I are the same age, but he is the owner of Parkhorne Hall andIam just one of the bastards.”
“Aye, it is true,” George said.“But he does have two good legs.”
Severn laughed.“So I have no excuse for my own rudeness.”
But the boy did rise and bow to him, then, and Leith nodded at both youths in return.
When he did so, the boys shared a mirthful look.He recognized it from his own youth.Leith had the distinct impression that they were the very best of friends.
“Now I believe you have met everyone,” Beatrice said with a laugh.
“Not quite,” said a voice from the entryway opposite Malcolm.
Leith turned and saw a man of about fifty standing there.For a bizarre moment, he had the intuition that the man was Beatrice’s father, risen from the dead.
But, of course, that was impossible.And despite being tall and thin like Beatrice, the man looked nothing like her.
His nose was round, his eyes blue—and when they landed on Mrs.Salisbury, they turned hungry.
When he caught that look, Leith saw that Beatrice had not overreacted in the least by flying here.
“I am Mr.Gordstone, my lord,” he said, advancing and bowing.“An old friend of the family.”
The easy conviviality of the room had evaporated.Only tension was left in its wake.
“A pleasure, Mr.Gordstone,” he muttered, trying to keep his expression even.He wanted to throw the man into the avenue outside and then pummel him himself—for threatening Beatrice and her family and making them and her feel fear.But he knew Beatrice would want him to be restrained in his reaction.
“I am flattered,” Mr.Gordstone said, “that Miss Salisbury saw it necessary to fly home just because I saw fit to make a visit.I feel the compliment, I assure you.”
The man did not look, in fact, like he was delighted by their appearance at all.Indeed, he wore a hangman’s expression indicating that their arrival had wrecked his plans.
“We have traveled a long way,” Beatrice said.“We must rest.”
“We must,” Sally echoed.“We thank you all for greeting us.”
“It was unnecessary.But very appreciated.”
Mrs.Salisbury nodded.She did not look fearful, Leith observed, merely watchful.Leith now understood why Beatrice and Sally had stressed her gentleness.She had a sphinx-like air to her, an air of quiet mystery, which seemed free of any self-defensive impulse.The effect was charming but must be unnerving for anyone who loved her.
“I have had Father’s old room turned out for Lord Leith,” Mrs.Salisbury said.“I am sure it would be regarded as improper in London, but with our numerous family, and our guest—” she nodded to Mr.Gordstone “—we scarcely had another bedchamber.And none other at all sufficient for you, my lord.”
Leith nodded, although he could appreciate the awkwardness of the situation.It appeared that his chamber would be adjoining Mrs.Salisbury’s.At least he could protect her in the event Mr.Gordstone stepped over the line—but it would make any private convening with Beatrice more difficult.
“No need to wake Betsy, Mother.I will take Lord Leith to his chamber.”
“Very well then, my dear.I will see you on the morrow.”
“Good evening,” he said to everyone, nodding even to Mr.Gordstone in the corner.
He followed Beatrice into the hall and then up a large staircase.
“Thank you for being so kind to my family,” she said in a whisper, as they went up the stairs.“They are very flattered by your appearance here, I assure you.”
“I am not sure about your oldest brother.Malcolm.”
