“Yes.” Honora heaved a dramatic sigh. “We manage, but sometimes it can be difficult.” She was doing everything within her power not to laugh, especially since these people could be her ticket to the Fageans’ address. “We are only here because we are visiting our friends, the Fageans.”
“The Fageans?” The husband’s brow scrunched.
“Well, we are supposed to. But our coachman got lost, and we cannot remember their townhouse’s address. So we have been waiting in the park in hopes that someone would point us in their direction.”
The couple exchanged a look, and then the husband turned back to her. “The Fageans have not been in London for nearly six weeks.”
Six weeks? But how could that be possible? Pratt had said he sold—
Pratt.
What a conniving, vile man.
Honora looked back at Stanton, who seemed to be having a similar revelation. But instead of becoming angry as Honora was, he only dipped his head with a sigh.
Realizing the couple was likely waiting for a response, Honora spun back toward them. “How very like them,” she said, laughing and putting a hand to her head. “Always forgetful. They invited us nearly three months ago. I should have known they would have forgotten.”
“I do hope this doesn’t cause trouble for you.” The woman clung to her husband’s arm.
Honora waved a hand. “Not much, anyway. We live not far outside of London and will be home by supper.”
“Oh, very good.” The wife’s chest deflated. “I will be able to sleep easier tonight knowing you are not put out.”
Goodness, this woman was quite gullible, but she was sweet enough that Honora could not find it within herself to hold it against her. “I do thank you for your help. If not for you, we might have been waiting all afternoon.”
“Of course. You two have a lovely day.”
The husband was discreet, but Honora saw his eyes give a slight roll. Apparently he did not wish them a lovely day as his wife did.
“Come, my love,” Honora finally called out. “We should head home.”
Mr. Stanton stood, walking over to her with a glare that could scorch one’s skin. When he was beside her, he offered his arm, then looked directly at the couple. “Much obliged.”
Honora froze, looking at the couple, whose mouths hung open.
Time to go.
Chapter Fourteen
Leonard had never seen someone turn quite that shade of red, nor move nearly as fast as Mrs. Gillingham had when he spoke to that naive couple.
Did he do it on purpose?
Perhaps.
And he still wasn’t regretting his choice, as now, other than her initial scathing words, Mrs. Gillingham was sitting across from him in blessed silence. Something he was glad for, especially after his humiliating show in the park.
He was still picking that apart in his mind, trying to figure out what drove him to such a dramatic display. Perhaps it was just years of pent-up words, finally needing to find release—the neighborhood of working-class people bringing out more of his frustration that he had wanted to be like them, yet never having the choice. Especially when Mrs. Gillingham had implied he was a laze-about. The frustrating part was he couldn’t disagree with her. Hewasa lazy man. It was better than bending to his father’s will. Yes, his father could guilt him into not taking a career, and he had. It was too late for Leonard to do anything with his life.Now he felt like he was only biding his time while his brother wasted away.
Goodness, his mind was full of lovely thoughts today.
Movement across the cab drew Leonard’s gaze. Mrs. Gillingham’s lips were still in a flat line across her face, pressed so tight that little lines puckered about them.
“I told you I would not lie.” Goodness, why was he goading her? Clearly now was not the time.
“You didn’t even have to lie. All that was required was that you remainmute.”
He scratched his neck as he looked out the window, the silence between them strangely unsettling.
