“Miss Fanny Grouseman, Miss Agnes.” Sir Elliot lightly cleared his throat. “Might I present my good friend, just arrived from London, Lord Jonathan Castleford?”
Fanny felt the blood drain from her face as Agnes quickly reached out a hand and offered a brilliant smile.Thiswas Sir Elliot’s houseguest? She just stopped herself from groaning aloud. Truly, could this day not get any worse? She offered the briefest of curtsies, and murmured, “Good day, my lord.”
“Is it?” he returned dryly, those green eyes mocking.
Fanny clenched her fists. She barely refrained from narrowing her eyes at his loathsome attitude. She gave him her most winning smile and said, “We really shouldn’t detain you any longer.”
Rather of being insulted at her not-so-subtle dismissal, Lord Castleford merely offered a formal bow and purred, “A pleasure, Miss Grouseman.” He touched the brim of his hat to her sister. “Miss Agnes.”
With that, he walked away.
Chapter Three
“IMUST SAY, YOU WEREright, Elliot. The townspeople of Polperro are absolutely charming. I can’t believe I ever doubted you.” Jonathan couldn’t keep a note of ridicule out of his voice as he dodged an orange seller in his path.
“If you are referring to Miss Grouseman,” Elliot returned with a notable smile in his voice as he followed Jonathan throughout the rest of the bustling marketplace. “I think you may have baited her somewhat, for she has always been the essence of politeness to me.”
Jonathan snorted, but then found a slight frown creasing his brow as the fortune teller’s words abruptly returned to taunt him.“I believe that you are pure of heart. Don’t make me regret my decision to put a measure of faith in you.”He sighed heavily. “You’re right, of course.” He removed his hat and shoved a hand through his dark hair. “I’m not usually such a beast. I daresay I’m taking my frustration out on everyone else when Nelson and this entire farce is what is truly wearing on my nerves. I don’t appreciate being taken for a fool.” He turned to Elliot. “Then again, you have to admit that Miss Grouseman was also a bit...”Intriguing, lovely, spirited...“Infuriating.”
“Well, she didn’t exactly make the best first impression by falling in the mud at your feet,” Elliot pointed out. “She likely preferred angst in order to cover up her embarrassment.”
Again, Jonathan sighed. “It appears we were both out of sorts today.”
“No doubt,” Elliot agreed. “At least we can take care of one issue. Let us not delay any longer and see just what it is that Nelson is offering you.”
***
AFEW HOURS LATER,Jonathan and Elliot stood in front of a dilapidated tin mine — if one could even call it that — in St. Austell. The crumbling, stone structure wasn’t even safe to explore, much less work. It was obvious that it had been some time since this particular location had seen any profits.
Jonathan shook his head. It was what he had been expecting all along, so he wasn’t really surprised. Angry, yes, but not surprised. He began to stalk back to his horse.
“Where are you going?” Elliot called after him.
“Back to London,” Jonathan growled. “So I can pummel the living daylights out of that son of a—”
“Don’t be so hasty. Perhaps all is not lost.”
