Lord help her, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
“Give you this.” Miss Starling pulled an envelope from her reticule and handed it to Ada.
Much to Ada’s shock and dismay, she almost breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was a wedding invitation rather than a summons to Anthony’s bed. A near hysterical laughter threatened to burst past her lips as she read the flamboyant script announcing that the ceremony would take place at St. George’s in less than a month.
Still, it meant nothing. It had been hand-written and might be a one-of-a-kind example. Ada would not put it past Miss Starling to resort to such trickery, which strengthened her resolve to question Anthony before letting doubt and heartache grip her.
“Thank you,” she said as she slid the card back inside the envelope.
“You’ll be there then?”
“I shall do my very best.”
“Excellent.” Miss Starling beamed at her. “So many wives make the mistake of alienating their husband’s mistress. I’m rather of the opinion that one might as well be accepting. After all, there’s little point in forcing a man to ignore his baser instincts or making him change his roguish ways.”
Ada frowned. “I think you’ve severely misjudged me if you believe I would lower myself to becoming anyone’s mistress. And if you think Westcliffe a rogue, you’ve misjudged him as well. He’s anything but. Indeed, he is the best man there is – loyal, kind, protective, all of which are commendable qualities.”
Miss Starling gave Ada a sympathetic smile. “Goodness, it sounds as though you’re head over heels in love with him already. Which is why this arrangement will work so well. I mean, you realize you cannot marry him yourself, I hope?”
“I actually—”
“No matter.” Miss Starling waved a dismissive hand through the air. “Naturally, you will be compensated handsomely for the company you provide. You’ll not have to worry on that account. And since I’m sure the funds will benefit you and your uncle, I really see no issue. I mean, you have my blessing and on top of that you shan’t be burdened by the daily problems so many women face the moment they say, ‘I do’. Just think, Miss Quinn, you get to keep your independence, enjoy the blossoming romance you share with Westcliffe whenever the fancy strikes, and live a comfortable life. Honestly, I’m starting to envy your situation.”
If Ada had been more shrewish in nature, she would have slapped Miss Starling for daring to try and turn her into a whore. As it was, her pride overruled this compulsion and gave her the strength she required to straighten her spine and raise her chin.
“I’ll certainly consider everything you’ve just said,” she told her and was grateful to hear that her voice was remarkably calm, despite the hectic beat of her heart. “Thank you so much for stopping by, Miss Starling. Should you ever wish to purchase a book, you know where to find us.”
“I most certainly do,” Miss Starling said with just enough of a smirk to suggest she had taken great pleasure in their conversation. “Unfortunately I must be on my way. Good day, Miss Quinn.”
The horrid woman swept from the shop as though she were the queen of the land. Ada slammed the door and locked it before collapsing against it with a groan. Good grief. Miss Starling was a monster. She had to be. What she’d said could not be true, which meant she’d just delivered a long string of lies.
Ada swiped one hand across her brow and blew out a breath. Straightening, she considered the invitation still in her hand. Her jaw tightened. It couldn’t be real. Anthony wouldn’t have kissed her the way he had last night if he planned to marry Miss Starling.
Of course not. To suppose such a thing was preposterous.
He’d been clear regarding his acquaintance with her. He’d explained himself in a manner that made perfect sense. So Miss Starling was obviously the villain here, which wasn’t hard for Ada to believe in the slightest.
Right.
With her mind made up, she decided to wait for Anthony’s arrival. When he stopped by later she’d tell him of Miss Starling’s visit, and he would dismiss it as nonsense.
She paused on that thought. He had said Miss Starling would not dare cross him – that the consequence of doing so would be severe. Yet here she was, apparently willing to do whatever it took to make him hers.
Ada shook her head. An inconsequential detail. As a viscount’s daughter and with her awareness of his financial problems, she probably thought herself invincible.
That had to be it. He’d been civil toward her thus far and this had made her daring.
No cause for concern.
Confident all would soon be neatly resolved, Ada went to make a fresh pot of tea. Uncle James would welcome a cup when he returned, and Anthony might like one too once he got here. She spooned some tea leaves into the teapot, poured hot water over them, and prepared to wait.
15
Propped up in bed against a pile of pillows, Anthony stared at the wall and prayed Athena would soon return with a detailed report of her excursion. Hopefully, she’d met with success and eased whatever concerns Ada might have over his not showing up as promised.
He glanced at the clock. She’d been gone two hours. Why wasn’t she back yet?
Irritated by his lack of mobility and how dependent it made him on others, he considered the bell on his bedside table. What a useless tool that had proven to be since no one could hear it unless they were right outside his door.
