Ever so blunt. Oliver couldn’t blame her. She’d been abducted when she was young as a means to gain the upper hand in a dispute over property. Rather disheartening, that.
“You know, ever since we met that night you broke into my chamber, I’ve found a sense of familiarity come over me from time to time when we meet gazes. I wonder why.”
Oliver flinched. “Perhaps you have heard so many Cavanagh horror stories over time that you now feel a certain amount of recognition when we meet.”
She sent him a skeptical look. “I’m not sure. I’ve never really lent my ears to Cavanagh horror tales.”
She hadn’t? “Is that why you do not regard me as a family enemy? Even to the point of traveling with me to Brighton? Bringing your brother along?”
“The enmity is between you and my father. I, for one, don’t have the energy to fret about such things.”
“I doubt your father would be happy to hear that,” Oliver pointed out. Talbot might even challenge him to a duel in the future if he discovered Oliver had traveled alone with his daughter through the countryside.
“Then, he shall never hear it. Once my stepmother is dealt with, we shall go our separate ways and none shall be the wiser.”
So, optimistic, this angelic creature. “Your brother is the wiser.”
“Leo lives for secrets. He shall keep this one. If all goes well, this family feud shall die with you and Papa.”
A man could hope.
Chapter Ten
Louisa stepped intothe drawing room the footman led her to, filled with the women who were guests of the party, as well as the host, Lady Havendish. She’d left the duke at the stables with the carriage and their horses. As well as that rascal called Reaper. The duke, however, had instructions to rest the horses but to have them ready to be harnessed again as soon as possible.
The plan was clear.
She’d find a time to search the house, locate the ledger, then they would leave post haste back to Brighton.
However, the more she thought about it, the more flawed this plan became. For one, she’d be leaving after she found the ledger. Would this not cast immediate suspicion onto her when the ledger was then discovered to be missing?
Also, she had pretended it was not a problem before, but itwouldget her into a spot of trouble with her father. Even if she weren’t suspected, or if the ledger weren’t found missing soon after she left, it would still be rather rude to join a party and leave the next day without so much as a by your leave.
Louisa decided she’d slip away like a ghost in the night. She’d thought of other ways, but she couldn’t merely claim something like illness, for then they’d expect her to recuperate here.
She stared at the ladies, who all turned their heads to stare ather.
This part was the worst. She really didn’t want to be here!
Perhaps she would use Theodosia as an excuse to leave, since that was her excuse for coming and Theodosia clearly wasn’t here. Another course of action could be to leave word that she’d received a message from a friend that they needed help in an urgent matter, though if someone did a thorough check of that one, she might be caught in the lie.
Would it even matter, though?
Hopefully, by then, the truth would be out about this blasted women’s club, and everyone would have forgotten about her rudeness.
Why then, did her heart flutter like a trapped bird??
“Louisa?” The Duchess of Talbot’s gaze widened in what Louisa could only assume was true disbelief and false delight. “What are you doing here?”
Louisa’s gaze swept over the drawing room, brushing past the silent scrutiny, before falling on her stepmother again. “I’ve found myself in the mood for some company.”
“Well,” Lady Havendish said with a smile, “you are most welcome. Come sit. You are quite on time. There is a masquerade ball tonight.”
Masquerade ball?
Louisa’s mood cleared a bit, as she lowered into an empty chair. That was indeed quite perfect! It may even benefit Mortimer, who could use the cover to sneak into the house. Then again, seeing how he was dressing like a working man these days, she doubted he would come as himself. The corner of her lips inched upward. Would she be able to see him in livery again?
Witha mask?
