“I do not,” Goldie said. “I mean, I do, but I can’t tell you where. My father sent her away to observe six weeks of mourning.” Not to mourn, really, but to distance her from any possible scandal. “She’ll return when the Season begins.”
Goldie studied Lord Standish’s chin, firm but with a small dimple in the center. She’d noticed it before. His dark brown hair needed trimming, and a shadow darkened his cheeks and clenched jaw.
She couldn’t quite make out the curse he made under his breath.
“Is there something that I can help you with?” she asked.
Holding his hat in one hand, he ran his other through his hair.
Hair that was thick and springy and clean-looking. She doubted any pomade could keep it in place.
Lord Standish lifted his gaze to meet hers, his eyes pleading. “I need to speak with your sister most urgently. I promise, my lady, I mean no ill will.”
Oh, but she knew this about him. And under any other circumstances, she’d sing like a canary.
Nonetheless, Goldie bit her tongue. “I wish I could help you.” She’d spend a month locked in her chamber if she went against her father’s wishes.
“Is this about Lord Rupert’s ring? Do you need it back?” she asked.
It was likely locked in her father’s safe, no doubt, to which Goldie had long ago memorized the combination. Was she willing to risk her father’s wrath for this man? It wasn’t as though her sister cared about it. Nia had resented it from the beginning, and she wasn’t about to wear it with her fiancé dead.
This would be one way that Goldie could perhaps ease some of the earl’s disappointment. Would he notice her then?
Would her father even realize the ring was missing?
But Lord Standish scowled. “It’s been returned already.” He seemed even more apathetic about the ring than he’d been about tea.
Goldie nervously watched as the earl rubbed his hands along his muscular thighs.
“Perhaps if you tell me what you need, I can help you,” she said. Why was he so distraught?
With his cousin dead, did he wish to attempt to win her sister’s hand for himself?
Her sister was Lady Gardenia, the Duke of Crossings’ eldest daughter, and had also been the diamond of the Season last year. Upon a single glance, most men immediately fell madly in love with Nia. Why wouldn’t this one?
The intensity of his stare made Goldie sit up straight.
“Can you tell me one thing?” His eyes implored her.
With him staring at her like that, Goldie nearly melted.
“Maybe…” she answered.
“Is she in London?”
Goldie rolled her lips together before answering.
“She is not.”
“Curses.” He lowered his chin and seemed to be staring at her breasts. Even though his eyes appeared unfocused, Goldie felt a blush seeping across her skin.
“I’m sorry,” she uttered.
After a few seconds, he exhaled a long hissing breath and met her gaze again. “My apologies.”
And then he burst to his feet.
“I truly am sorry…” Goldie rose more slowly. She hated to see him looking so frustrated.
