Fred stared, as Matilda whistled.
‘That’s good, even for you, Jo!’ she called admiringly from her tree perch. ‘In truth, I’ve always thought him a pompous peacock, but a criminal? I don’t think he could spare the time from his vanity mirror!’
Josephine couldn’t help but laugh, despite everything.
‘Have to say I’m with Matilda on this one,’ Fred chuckled, rolling his eyes at his youngest sister. ‘Dashton can be a little pompous and self-important, I know, but mixed up in a duel? He just hasn’t got the right stuffing, if you know what I mean…’
Josephine understood and yet couldn’t rid herself of the memory of Dashton’s advance, either, when she’d seen an entirely different side to him.
‘I cannot understand why, given all the books I have at my disposal, I cannot read the one I desire most.’
Her thoughts hardened.
‘You do not know anyone until you have seen their whole library,’ she mused darkly.
ChapterTwenty-One
Knightswood Manor; Sir Francis’s Whole Library
Midday
It was the most hare-brained scheme she’d ever come up with, rivalling Phoebe for daring, Sophie for cheek and Matilda for downright devilry. Yet as Josephine dashed off the note, she felt more purposeful than she had in a long while. And Sir Francis’s response, despite a report of a headache that required he kept to his bedchamber, was swift.
Dear Miss Fairfax,
I must admit to some surprise when your solicitous note arrived. I had rather assumed Huntingly’s misunderstanding, and interference, would lead you to draw the wrong conclusion about our last meeting.
I am most reassured this is not the case, and accept your invitation to a companiable walk in the spirit it is extended.
Until 3 o’clock at the folly,
Yours,
Francis
Josephine stared at Sir Francis’s loopy, self-important handwriting wondering how she ever thought him admirable. She had no doubt he’d encouraged both Isabella Hampton and Amelia Carlisle to believe they were special, perhaps even her brother too, yet his pompous response only emphasised the fact that he had no conscience whatsoever. Her lips curled. Well, he had better have a care about which books hedesired most to read, because some were not predictable at all. And, if her suspicions were correct, she might be able to clear Huntingly’s name once and for all, which would go some way to appeasing her own conscience too. As well as something else she didn’t quite understand.
At precisely ten minutes to the hour, Josephine hurried along the front lawn, towards the shrubbery that concealed the way to the folly. The old colonnade temple had been a present from Papa to Mama, Thomas said, though in truth it had been built a long time before any of them were born. Today, its path was bathed in dappled sunshine and bordered by a haze of sky-blue hyacinths, wild roses and blushing peonies, but Josephine paid them little heed as she made her way along. The folly had always been one of her favourite reading spots, yet reading couldn’t have been further from her mind.
‘Good afternoon, Sir Francis,’ she called as soon as she spied him loitering just inside one of the stone pillars. ‘I am so very grateful you have come.’
A thin smile reached across Sir Francis’s golden face as he stepped out from the folly and executed a low, flourishing bow.
‘But of course, Miss Fairfax!’ he replied, with a flick of his flaxen hair. ‘It felt the very least I could do after that ruffian interrupted our tête-à-tête last night! Truly, I am relieved he had the good sense to depart,’ he added, his duplicitous eyes alight with a gleam she was starting to recognise. ‘It would have been most awkward had he chosen to remain, I would have been forced to settle the insult with my own sword, which isn’t so badly weighted as your brother’s, I can assure you!’
‘Oh indeed, I believe you showed great sportsmanship, given the circumstances, Sir Francis,’ Josephine flattered, safe in the knowledge both Fred and Matilda were in place by now.
‘In fact, I’d go so far as to say I was much awed by your courage and your… conviction! You have opened my eyes to truly honour, and I too was quite reassured by the news that Lord Huntingly left this morning. I’m only sorry that I have not seen this clearly before.’ She fluttered her eyelashes, trying not to give in to a rise of laughter. ‘Oh! Does your injury still pain you?’ she added in her next breath, channelling Miss Amelia’s pout.
‘This?’ Sir Francis replied, shrugging his arm out of Matilda’s homemade sling. ‘It would trouble most, but your company and perceptive wit have soothed it beyond the reach of any balm or compress. Allow me, Miss Fairfax?’
Then he proffered his arm in such a way that Josephine knew her plan was working. He believed they were on the best of terms again.
‘I have to say, Miss Fairfax, you truly are a breath of fresh air!’ he went on. ‘I pride myself on knowing the female mind rather well, and while I’ve always known you’re not one of thesilly,fancifultypes, your presence of mind and logic are quite inspiring. In short, Josephine– I may call you Josephine, mightn’t I?– I believe you may ruin my perception of the fragile sex forever!’
His flattering tone had slunk lower and softer as they walked further from the main house, and Josephine had to steel herself not to wrench her arm out of his. Never had she been more aware of the cunning nature of his words, flattering her so she might be distracted from his predatory nature altogether. She’d no doubt he’d used such tactics on both Isabella Hampton and Amelia Carlisle, while his audacity at using her given name when he’d insulted her no less than a day ago made her boil with rage on behalf of them all. Yet it was a sweet smile she turned upwards, knowing she had the part of her life to play if she was ever to know the full truth.
‘You are so worldly wise,’ she sighed, suppressing an image of Matilda’s vomit face. ‘I feel as though you are the only gentleman who has ever truly seen me. And please do call me Josephine…’ She glanced up coquettishly, wishing Phoebe could witness her epic performance. ‘I reserve it for quite mybestfriends.’
