With that settled, he considered the evening ahead. He was having dinner with the Westings, and it occurred to him what a dolt he’d been not to invite Adelia to accompany him.
Still unsure what was and wasn’tunseemly, to use his mother’s word, in regards to ardently desiring the blood relation of his sister’s murderer, Owen decided it was probably for the best that he hadn’t.
Naturally, the first words out of Lady Jane’s mouth were, “You should have brought that lovely Lady Adelia with you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Adelia had expectedto receive a note in return from Mr. Beaumont, but she hadn’t expected to be chased down the street by him when she was in her carriage, heading for Newgate.
She heard a voice call out, and her driver made a response, halting the horses a mere block from her own home. When the footman tapped upon her door, she lowered the window to see Victor Beaumont upon the pavement, breathing hard, apparently having run after her carriage.
“Lady Adelia,” he said, approaching and sticking his head inside before the footman could even ask if she wished to speak with him. “I was on my way to see you.”
His unexpected, uninvited appearances must come to an end. “You should have sent me a note, Mr. Beaumont. As you can see, I am otherwise occupied.”
She was amazed at how much easier it now was to speak to people, particularly those who annoyed her. With Thomas’s life in jeopardy, being shy was a luxury she could ill afford.
“I must speak with you at once about business matters. May I ride along with you?”
It was most improper. She had left Penny at home for the less her servants knew about Thomas’s whereabouts, the better.
When she considered what usually occurred with Owen when they were alone in the carriage, she hesitated. On the other hand, her footman would be within hearing should she scream. And she ought to think like a woman of business in her brother’s stead.
“Very well.” With trepidation, she sat back as he yanked open the door and climbed inside.
Taking the seat opposite, he glanced about the interior, admiring the leather squabs and velvet hangings in the same manner as he’d inspected their crown moldings.
Most unusual,she thought,and a little vulgar. Further, the man leaned forward as if to take her hand in greeting, but she kept them firmly clasped in her lap.
After telling the footman to resume her journey, she asked, “What could not wait until another more opportune time, Mr. Beaumont?”
“I am sorry to intrude, my lady. I received your missive and was concerned about your change of heart regarding my signing documents and handling the finances.”
She shrugged. “It is not for you to be concerned.” She hoped that was the end of it, and he would vacate her carriage.
He opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again. “Iamnonetheless concerned. Have you spoken to someone else regarding our business? I must warn you, there are predators afoot, especially those who might be rivals for our company’s customers. They will not think twice about trying to influence you to make poor decisions while Thomas is away, or perhaps bamboozle you so they can maneuver into a position of power.”
Twice, he used the termour, and he should not have used her brother’s given name so informally. He was entirely too forward and familiar, and it gave her an unpleasant feeling.
More than that, he seemed to have a strong notion of paranoia.Did he know of her association with Owen?She could see where Mr. Beaumont might not approve of her spending time with a rival mining company owner, but it was not his place to say anything.
“It is up to me to runmyfamily’s business untilLord Smythereturns,” she said, recalling Owen’s advice. “While I appreciate your concern, I assure you, it is unnecessary. Also, I had a note back from Mr. Arnold. He seemed to be under the impression you were running Smythe Coal entirely by yourself.”
Mr. Beaumont flushed an ugly, ruddy color. “I have no idea how the accountant came to that conclusion.”
“It is no matter. I have apprised him of my decision to handle everything my brother handled until his return.”
“Very well.” He paused. “And what if Lord Smythe doesn’t return?”
She gasped. “I will not discuss such a thing.”
“Of course,” he said. Then his tone changed. “Lady Smythe, may I call you Adelia?”
“Positively not,” she snapped.
He laughed as if she’d said something witty. “I would very much like to call upon you in the future.”
She squirmed at his surprising change in topic. She could play the ninny. “Of course. You must come by and bring any documents I should see,et cetera.”
