A purely genuine smile creased the lawyer’s mouth. Alex found it singularly charming and no longer wondered how it came about that this urbane and astute man had risen so high in his profession.
“An excellent idea, my lord. But before you do so, I suggest you bring Miss Greenaway to Town. I would prefer to see you first, and then you may bring her to me.”
A resurgence of Alex’s initial apprehension surfaced. “Dashed if I see why you’d need to see me first. Nothing to do with me. It’s Apple’s inheritance, not mine.”
Again the smile, this time with a distinct air of reassurance. “I acquit you of any unnatural design upon her fortune, my lord Dymond.”
“Fortune?”
His brows rose and he remained wholly unmoved. “Did I say fortune? I meant in the sense of future prospects.”
Alex was having none of it. “No, you didn’t. Worth a good deal, is she? It’s what the Greenaways think.”
“Then they are misinformed.”
Alex regarded him stonily. The fellow was lying. He’d slipped up. Refreshing to find he could slip up! “Well, I’ll accept that for the time being, Vergette, since you insist.”
A slight twitch of the lips acknowledged a hit, and Alex nearly laughed out.
Vergette rose, holding out his hand. “My compliments to Miss Greenaway.”
Alex shook the hand. “Not that she’ll be any too pleased with what you’ve told me.”
“Then you will word it with care, my lord. I must rely upon you for that.”
“I ain’t lying to the chit, if that’s what you mean.”
“Nothing so uncouth, my lord Dymond. Bear in mind that in a matter of weeks, Miss Greenaway will be fully informed.”
“Not sure she’s got the patience to wait.”
“I feel certain you will persuade her.” The fellow gave a slight bow. “Until we meet again, my lord.”
Escorted to the door by his host — for such Alex felt his attitude to be — he departed, as much infuriated as puzzled by the outcome of his visit.
Chapter Ten
On tenterhooks, Apple found it impossible to settle. In vain did Georgy remind her that their escape had been carried out without the smallest difficulty. Yes, it was true there’d been no sign of Marjorie when she slipped out of the shop, huddled in her cloak with the hood well forward, and leapt into the carriage with more haste than grace. They had been away in minutes, trotting out of the town at a sedate speed that accorded ill with Apple’s panicked desire to race back to the safety of Merrivale House as fast as the horses could go.
She knew it was ridiculous to suppose her cousins could be hard on her heels, but the apprehension persisted. If Marjorie could track her to the town, what should stop her discovering her present whereabouts?
“Good heavens, Apple, how should she? I wish you won’t be so fidgety.”
“I can’t help it. You don’t know Marjorie.”
“No, and I am not likely to either,” said Georgy with asperity. “How in the world should she know you are here? She doesn’t even know you were with Alex, does she?”
Which was true, but it was of no comfort to Apple. “It wouldn’t be difficult to find out, would it? After all, she has only to make enquiries at the inn where we stopped. Alex may have given his name.”
“But not yours.”
“If she asked whether he had a female with him and someone described me…”
“I think you are being very silly. Even if she is clever enough to think of that —”
“Which she is.”
“— she can’t possibly know Alex has a sister living here.”
