“Rutledge, what are you going on about?” Sylvia remarked. “Rudely grabbing Miss Newton’s basket and noworderingmy husband to check the study. Why should he when he was in there all the while with his men? What in heaven’s name are you raving about?” She turned to Florence. “Forgive this mad woman.”
“Of course,” Florence said with a dose of overdone sympathy. “But I understand why your husband must be careful. He has been very concerned about trespassers. He told me and Weymouth himself when encountering us on the beach. And someone even tried to break into Gull Hall the other night. Both he and Weymouth have to be on edge.”
She turned to Trajan. “Perhaps you ought to put on extra guards at Gull Hall. Is it a band of thieves terrorizing the neighborhood, do you think?”
Sylvia shook her head. “No, it’s—”
“Quiet, Sylvia,” Frampton said, now hurrying back after checking the study and no doubt peering into his safe. “How you do go on. Noneed to alarm our new neighbors. It is nothing. Rutledge, you are too overwrought,” he chided the ogre. “Seeing phantoms where there are none.”
“But—”
“You are dismissed,” Frampton said, glowering at the woman, who bowed her head and limped out.
Frampton remained agitated but not alarmed, which meant Sylvia had successfully placed the fake letters in his safe only minutes before he ran to his study to assure himself nothing had been taken.
However, he still shot Florence a malevolent gaze, for he knew she had attempted to take his precious extortion letters.
Attemptedwas the magic word, wasn’t it? He thought she had failed.
She tried her best to look frustrated and defeated.
“Take care of yourself, Lady Florence,” he said with a sneer.
“Oh, I shall, Lord Frampton. I hope to see you and your lovely wife again soon.”
“Yes, I look forward to it. But I am sure you have much to keep you busy now that your wedding is so close. Do take care of yourself, Florence,” Sylvia said with much sincerity. “You will soon be the Duchess of Weymouth, and nothing must get in the way of that.”
Florence cast Trajan a doting smile.
He looked like he wanted to strangle her. “Frampton, I do apologize for this mess. Let me take on the costs of the damage to your rug. I wasn’t certain Florence’s aunt should have joined the ladies today, but she and Florence are inseparable. Well, send over the bill for it and I will have my man of affairs attend to it at once.”
Florence allowed him to steer her out. Frampton and his wife followed them to the front steps.
“Please let me know how dear Hermia is feeling,” Sylvia called out, looking just the right amount of genuinely concerned.
“I will,” Florence assured her. “Thank you so much for a lovelyafternoon. I’m so sorry it ended this way. But we’ll be in touch soon, for Hermia is very eager to establish our embroidery circle.”
Frampton still wore his triumphant sneer as he bade them farewell.
Ha!He would soon get his comeuppance.
She wished she could be there when he learned herfailedattempt had been successful after all.
Well, perhaps not. The man was a most unpleasant fellow. There would be quite the volcanic explosion when he realized he had been duped.
Trajan practically shoved her into his carriage. Hermia was already in there, sprawled across one of the seats and softly moaning. She was so believable, Florence was convinced her aunt would have been a great actress had she ever taken to the stage.
Trajan climbed in after her and immediately rapped on the roof. “Home, Tucker.”
“Aye, Your Grace.”
His cousins had come on horseback and followed behind them.
Florence let out a breath the moment the carriage rolled out of the Frampton courtyard. “Trajan, I—”
“Not a word, Florence.” He looked mad enough to create his own volcanic eruption. “I do not want to hear what you and your minion have done until we are home and I’ve had a stiff drink.”
“Myminion?”
