Page 49 of Vying for a Viscount
He couldn’t make out Anastasia’s mumbling, but he could guess what she thought about that. Needing a change of subject, he asked, “Charity, can you stay for a visit, or do you have to return home?”
“Oh, no. I can stay for a few more days. Colbourn is away doing whatever it is he does.”
“Good. Let’s invite Lady Rutherford, Hunter, and Warren for a celebratory dinner tomorrow night. Charity, can you take care of the menu with the cook?”
“Yes. It will be my pleasure.”
“Sisters, will you send invitations to your intendeds? I will invite Letitia.”
“We will do it right now,” Aurora said. “Come, Anastasia.”
The twins hurried from the room, leaving Greyson with Charity.He should have thought his plan through more carefully. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy spending time with her, it was just that his cousin was the most intuitive person he’d ever met, and she no doubt picked up on his emotions, both about his recent assignment and about Letitia.
“So,” Charity said, her voice smooth and deceiving, “tell me about Lady Rutherford. I didn’t get a chance to meet her at the Barstow picnic; she left before I had the opportunity. Although I must say, she seems lovely and is quite beautiful.”
“She is. Lovely and beautiful, that is.”
“I remember Lord Rutherford. By all appearances, he was an affable and loyal gentleman. That is, until you learned he would leave his sickly young wife at home and escort his fake cousin, whom everyone knew was his mistress and the mother of his bastards, to social events in her place.”
“Sickly?” Had he heard Charity correctly? Letitia wasn’t sickly. “I had no idea he used such an excuse. Letitia never came right out and said Rutherford had a mistress, but I knew he lied and hid things from her. Not to mention the fact that I heard all the rumors. That does explain why she came right out and asked if I had a mistress.”
Charity gasped, then giggled. “I already love her.”
“As do I,” he thought, unable to believe he’d just told his cousin he loved Letitia. He did, but he’d yet to tell Letitia. How strange it seemed to have confided in his cousin that he loved Letitia before he’d even told her. “You will love her even more when you actually get to spend time with her tomorrow night.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“If that’s settled, I’m going to spend the rest of the day and the night sleeping. It was a grueling trip.”
Charity hmphed, “One day I will get to the bottom of your disappearances.”
“I wish you good luck.” As he left the room, he schooled himself for saying what sounded like a dare. Never dare Charity. She’d make ither mission to find the answers. He hurried up the stairs, briefly checked on his parents, who were both resting. He spoke briefly with their nurse, then entered his chambers, stripped off his clothes, dove beneath the covers, and fell asleep with visions of Letitia dancing in his arms.
*
After spending thepast two days in bed, Letitia woke on the third day much improved. Jane entered the room, her eyes widening when she found her standing at the window, looking out at the partly cloudy sky.
“My lady,” Jane exclaimed, “it’s so good to see you up and feeling well.”
Turning around, Letitia smiled. “I do feel better, and I’m famished.”
“That’s more good news. I’ll be right back.” She left the room, leaving the door open, and came back in with her breakfast tray. “I left it out in the hall in case you weren’t hungry.”
“Thank you. Put it near the chaise longue.”
“Oh, my lady, I almost forgot.” She set the tray down and handed her a note. “This just arrived for you.”
One glance at the wax seal sent her heart skipping. Greyson. It was from Greyson. Did that mean...? She broke the seal and unfolded the missive.
My Dearest Letitia,
I have returned from Danbury Estate and would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow night at eight. A celebration is in order for both of my sisters’ engagements. Unless I hear otherwise, my carriage will pick you up at a quarter to eight.
Greyson
Now she felt even better, knowing that Greyson had returned to London. Oh dear, what to wear? “Jane, I’m attending a small dinner party at Danbury Hall tomorrow night. What shall I wear? I also need two engagement gifts. We need to go to Bond Street.”
“Yes, my lady. But first, you must eat to have the strength to shop. Then we must dress and fix your hair.”
