“Have you settled into your new lodgings?”
“You mean your home?”
“Yes, that.”
“You have a very nice home. I have been quite comfortable.”
He blew a short breath from his nostrils. “I was not attempting to gain a compliment on my family’s home. I simply wanted to see how you are faring. You are in a difficult position with your guardian, and I know that can be a heavy burden.”
She stared at him. Was this one of those moments in which they could be friends? She wished he’d tell her in advance when those would occur. “I am faring well. I apologize if my presence has caused you to fare poorly though.”
She noticed a tightening of his jaw. “I am doing well enough.”
She sat forward, seeing an opportunity she intended to take. “I really am sorry to have disrupted your and your family’s life by joining your household. I will endeavor to make myself as scarce as possible to disrupt you as little as possible.”
His eyebrows actually pulled together at that. “You need not make yourself scarce in the least, Miss Faraday. I must apologize that you’ve been made to feel that way.”
It seemed they would just be trading apologies today without actually making much difference. Though that was not entirely true—she did feel better that he seemed surprised at her feelings. Was it possible she’d read the situation incorrectly and he wasnotunhappy that she was there? Perhaps he often stayed aloof from his family, and it was not because of her presence that he was doing so now.
That worried her though. Why would he keep himself back from his family?
“And you? How is everything with the club?”
He shook his head. “I do not know. I am immensely frustrated. This venture is incredibly tight-lipped about who is involved. It is a canal group—I do not see why it is this hard to find the man in charge.”
“Have none of the men you know worked with those in charge?”
“No. They were hired to be the lowest of the low. Digging the canals.”
Lydia thought back to the canal book she’d read with Lord Tarrington weeks before. She did not recall much. “Do you not need to file something with Parliament when preparing to build? Perhaps that will lead you to someone in charge.”
Lord Berkeley’s eyes lit. “Yes. Yes, I did look up the original information, which led me to some of the shareholders...” He paused, his gaze unfocused. “If they’ve had to adjust their plans at all, there should be record of it.” He nodded, the movement sure. “Thank you, Miss Faraday. This could be the key.” He sat forward, excitement crossing his face. She’d not seen that emotion so overtly displayed in him. It made her smile.
But before she could respond, the door to the drawing room opened, and Lady Cheltenham entered.
“Lydia, Lucas, what a pair you make,” she said, smiling and walking toward them. What did she mean by that? “To what do we owe the pleasure of your company, Lucas?”
Lord Berkeley had come to his feet the moment the door opened. “I wondered if I might have a word with you?”
“Of course.”
Lord Berkeley did not immediately escape but turned and bowed to her. “I hope you pass an enjoyable day, Miss Faraday.”
“Thank you. You as well.”
With a signature nod, he went to meet his mother halfway between their chairs and the door. They conversed in low voices for a moment before Lord Berkeley took his leave and Lady Cheltenham joined Lydia.
Without a word as to the interruption from her son, Lady Cheltenham sat in the chair beside Lydia. “I have it on good authority that you will have many visitors today, Lydia.” She wiggled her shoulders a bit in anticipation. “You’ve made quite the splash in Society.”
Lydia’s eyes flitted to the door. Though she tried to ignore the feeling, she could not help wishing she could forgo the at-home visits to continue her conversation with Lord Berkeley.
Chapter 28
“I’ve found them!” Lucas declared,striding into Colin’s office brandishing several sheets of paper.
Colin jumped to his feet. “The men in the canal company?”
Lucas nodded. “Yes. There are three. It will be delicate work finding out which one is behind the attacks, but we have a starting place now.”
