The voices were getting louder and Georgy, with a small shriek, scuttled back to the chaise longue, flapping her hand and hissing at Apple, “Close the door, quick!”
Apple found the knob on her side and pulled the door to, hearing it close again with a soft click that echoed in her head even as the voice she’d dreaded hearing came through loud and clear.
“It’s no use barring the door, my man, for I’ll see this Lady Georgiana of yours or die in the attempt!”
Apple heard Georgy’s frightened squeak, several male grunts and then the thunk of the parlour door banging open. Instinct sent her backing down the passage, her mind freezing on the possibility of Marjorie’s stalking instantly to the panel and wrenching open the door to find her.
“I beg pardon, my lady, but I did my best to stop them.” Berryman was abnormally loud and slightly out of breath.
“Ho, yes, you did that all right! To no avail. You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
Walter!Oh, heavens, she was undone!
Marjorie took over, speaking with belligerence. “I’m Miss Greenaway, ma’am, and if that isn’t enough to give me entrance here, then I’m sorry for it, but I’ll not be put off finding out for myself.”
“Will you have the goodness, madam, to allow me to edge in a word?”
An arctic voice, in which Apple barely recognised the flighty Georgy she knew.
“Well, I will, but don’t think to pull the wool over my eyes, for you won’t.”
“I have no desire to pull the wool over your eyes. Perhaps you will be good enough, madam, to explain why you have forced your way into my house.”
“She’ll tell you all right,” came in a growl from Walter, “if you’ll have this fellow desist so I can let him go.”
There was a short silence. Only half realising she did so, Apple crept back towards the door.
“You may leave us, Berryman. Remain within call, if you please.”
Apple could hear the faint fear under Georgy’s brave words and a wash of remorse swept through her. This was her fault. Georgy should not have to endure Marjorie and Walter all by herself. Especially when she’d been so good and kind. Apple hovered on the brink of revealing herself, only to spare her hostess. But Marjorie’s voice, calmer now, gave her pause.
“That’s better. Now we may thrash this out between us, my lady.”
“Certainly, if I understood what it is you wish to thrash out. So far I am at a loss.”
Apple could have laughed out at the tone. Georgy was playing thegrande dameto perfection. Unfortunately it had the effect of ruffling Marjorie’s feathers.
“I wish you won’t come all highty-tighty with me, ma’am. I may not be your equal, but I’m sorely beset and I’d take it kind in you to listen without prejudice.”
“How dare you?” Georgy sounded much more her usual self, clearly genuinely annoyed. “Your insolence passes all bounds, madam, barging into my private apartments and having your escort stand there like a gaoler!”
Another short silence ensued. Apple could almost hear her cousin struggling with herself.
“Walter, leave the room. I’ll handle this.”
“But I want to hear this as much as you do.”
“Then get away from the door.” Apple could hear Walter grumbling and his clumping steps. “Now, my lady. I’ve reason to believe your brother abducted my cousin.”
“Abducted? My brother? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“He’s Lord Dymond, isn’t he? Your brother, I mean.”
“What of it?”
Marjorie’s patience snapped. “Oh, don’t play the innocent, my lady! I know Apple was with him. The innkeeper at the Dragon in Winchester was explicit, and I know the villain must have taken her up at Alton when she left our coach. It’s taken hours of hunting and question, but that much I’ve ascertained, so it’s no use your denying it.”
A trill of laughter came from Georgy. “What a perfectly bewildering story! My brother to behave in such a way? You must have taken leave of your senses.”
