Chapter Sixteen
It seemed like an eternity before the front door finally opened to Roslynn’s repeated pounding, and pounding she was doing before she finished. She was in such a state of nerves, in fact, expecting to be seized at any moment, that even her own shadow gave her a start when she glanced behind her to make sure the old carriage was still waiting, the driver still keeping an eye on her. Not that he would be much help if Geordie and his hirelings found her.
It was the risk that had her in a such a state. She shouldn’t be stopping here. She had promised Nettie she would make all haste out of London, yet she had come directly here instead, not allowing herself time to lose anyone who might have followed her. That was what had her heart hammering to the tune of her fist against the door. Geordie could be sneaking up on her at this very moment, getting closer and closer, while she stood here waiting for the bloody door to open.
When it did open, she shoved her way inside so forcefully, she nearly knocked the butler down. She closed the door herself, leaning back against it, then looked aghast at the fellow, who was looking even more aghast at her.
He collected himself first, straightening his coat with a sharp tug, gathering his dignity about him like a cloak. “Really, miss-”
She jumped in to forestall him, unthinkingly giving him an even worse impression of her. “Och, mon,dinna scold me. I’m sorry to be barging in, but this is an emergency. I must speak wi’ Sir Anthony.”
“Out of the question,” he stated with haughty disdain. “Sir Anthony is not receiving tonight.”
“He isna here, then?”
“He is unavailable to callers,” the butler stated more bluntly. “I do have my orders, miss. Now if you would be so good—”
“No!” she gasped as he reached for the door handle to show her out. “Did you no’ hear me, mon? Imunsee him!”
Without a pause, he opened the door, forcing her to move away from it. “There are to be no exceptions.” But when he reached for her arm to literally shove her outside, Roslynn clobbered him with her reticule. “Now see here!” the man gasped, outraged.
“Och, but you’re a dafty, you are,” she said calmly enough, but her eyes glared at him furiously. “I’m no’ leaving here until I’ve seen Anthony. I didna take the risk of coming here just to be turned away, you ken? Now tell him—just tell him there’s a lady to see him. Do it, mon, or I swear I’ll—”
Dobson turned away before she could complete the threat. Stiff-backed, he mounted the stairs, deliberated taking his time. Lady indeed. Never in all his considerable years in Sir Anthony’s employ had he seen the like. Ladies didn’t accost a man just for doing his duty. The very idea. WhathadSir Anthony stooped to, to become involved with such a brazen creature?
Out of sight of the foyer where he had left her, Dobson considered waiting a few moments and then simply returning to try again to oust the woman. After all, Sir Anthony had come home in a foul disposition because he was late for a family gathering athis brother Edward’s house. Lord James and Master Jeremy had already left for it. Even if Sir Anthony were inclined to see this particular woman, he had no time. He was changing now, and in fact would be down shortly. He wouldnotcare to be confronted with any further delay in the form of a pushy female of questionable quality. If it were any other appointment, it wouldn’t matter so much. But family came first with Sir Anthony. It always had and always would.
And yet…Dobson couldn’t shake the implied threat from his mind. He had never encountered a caller so insistent on having her way, discounting Sir Anthony’s own family, of course. Would she scream, or worse, become violent again? Unthinkable. But perhaps he ought to at least inform Sir Anthony of the problem.
The answer to his knock was curt. Dobson stepped warily into the room. He had only to look at Willis, Sir Anthony’s valet, to see there had been no improvement in disposition. The man’s expression was harried, as if he had already had a full measure of Sir Anthony’s acerbic tongue.
And then Sir Anthony swung around, giving Dobson pause. He rarely saw him in this state of undress. He wore only his trousers and was in the process of towel-drying his thick black hair.
Again the impatient curtness. “What is it, Dobson?”
“A woman, sir. She pushed her way in, demanding to speak with you.”
Anthony turned away. “Get rid of her.”
“I tried, sir. She refuses to leave.”
“Who is she?”
Here Dobson couldn’t conceal his disgust. “She wouldn’t give her name, but claims to be a lady.”
“Is she?”
“I have my doubts, sir.”
Anthony tossed the towel aside with obvious annoyance. “Bloody hell, she’s probably here for James. I should have known his tavern doxies would start showing up on my doorstep if he stayed for any length of time.”
Dobson was reluctant to clarify. “Begging your pardon, sir, but she mentioned your name, not Lord Malory’s.”
Anthony scowled. “Then use your wits, man. The only women who come here come by invitation. Am I correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And would I have extended an invitation tonight, with a previous engagement?”
