'Since I was sixteen. I was with Lady Jane Strickland before being employed by Lady Evangeline.' From the corner of her eye, Megan saw Oliver's startled reaction.
'Like Sir Jocelyn, I too thought I knew you. Now I know why,' he said.
She looked warily at him. 'Sir?'
'I am a close friend of Ralph Strickland's, and met Lady Jane with him once. I must have seen you then.'
Her dismay returned. He and Ralph Strickland were friends? Somehow she managed to sound level as she replied. 'Oh, yes. How could I have forgotten?'
'I encountered Ralph in London only two days ago, when I paid the capital a fleeting visit.'
Megan's spirits plunged. She could tell that he had heard Ralph's version of the dismissal of Lady Jane's companion. No name could have been mentioned at the time, but now she herself had kindly provided him with the information, and by the cold, knowing glitter in his gaze she knew he was prepared to use this as ammunition to make her do as he wished. He wanted his past callousness toward her to remain secret, and if she told tales about it, he would spread lascivious tales about her.
She felt close to tears. All she wanted in life was a suitable position, a roof over her head, and a peaceful, dull existence; instead she seemed unable to avoid trouble. Oliver obviously thought Evangeline did not know the truth about Bath, and of course in that he was wrong, but would Evangeline feel able to continue employing a companion whose notoriety was the talk of Brighton? Probably not. And again there was Greville, who would take the tale as proof that all companions were jezebels. She didn't like the latter, but she did not want him to think his prejudice against her was fully vindicated! If she had glanced at his face at that moment, she would have realized that he had already heard Ralph's account, and believed it.
Greville tapped his cane thoughtfully against his boot. If March had met Strickland within the last few days, then he was bound to have heard some very unflattering facts about Miss Megan Mortimer, yet he gave no hint of it. The sudden acquisition of honor was hardly likely to be the case where he was concerned, nor was Strickland likely to have painted the lady pure white after all, so why was March being so courteous? Consideration for Chloe's sensitivities? Possibly. Perhaps it would be interesting to probe a little. So as the conversation turned to
Chapter 14
“How was Ralph when you saw him?' Greville asked Oliver.
'In excellent fettle. Why do you ask?' Suspicion oozed from Oliver, for it was most unlike Greville to make a courteous inquiry about Ralph Strickland's health.
'Oh, just that I too have seen him recently, and both he and Sophia seemed a little, well, overwrought concerning something that had apparently happened in Bath.'
A veil descended over Oliver's eyes. 'I don't know what you're talking about, Seton. Besides, if there had been anything untoward at Bath, surely Lady Evangeline would know? Ralph told me that she had arrived there before he and Sophia left.'
Greville gave a facile smile. 'Yes, and she is now here in Brighton for Christmas, when she intended to spend it with Lady Jane. She will not volunteer a reason for the change of arrangements, and I was hoping you could shed some light. Clearly you cannot.' He glanced at Megan, who was endeavoring to seem interested in
Oliver was shaking his head. 'No, I cannot shed any light at all because I know nothing.'
'I see. Well, that's that, then.' Greville gave another facile smile, and turned back to the others just as
As Greville began to recount the news from the capital, Megan wondered greatly what he and Oliver had been talking about. Surely Oliver could not have regaled him with her inappropriate advances? No, somehow she thought not, because that would mean the very real risk of his own past misdeeds being exposed. Her gaze moved to Oliver, who was once again dancing attendance upon Chloe with such doglike devotion that it was impossible not to know he had marriage in mind. No wonder Brighton daily expected an announcement, she thought, marveling anew that Chloe and her father could be so easily duped into thinking him suitable.
From London the conversation moved to Brighton, and the social calendar up to Christmas. Chloe enthused about the next night's masked ball, and expressed immense delight that Megan would be attending as well. When Rupert's name was mentioned, however, she did not seem in the least enthusiastic, indeed she made much of changing the subject. Megan wasn't quite sure whether it was for Oliver's benefit, or she really wasn't interested in Rupert, or if it was a screen to hide her true feelings. It had to be one of the three, and this time Megan did not care to hazard a guess.
Another carriage pulled up alongside the other vehicles by the library, and a middle-aged lady and gentleman alighted. Megan did not know who they were, but she saw the appalled expression on Oliver's face, and could not help but notice how he immediately tried unsuccessfully to persuade Chloe to take a drive with him in his curricle. Greville smiled sleekly at Oliver's discomfort, for the lady and gentleman were Lord and Lady Garsington.
The head of the unmusical family of musicians was a stout, beak-nosed man who still liked to wear the powdered wig and tricorn hat of his youth. Not for him the elegance of a greatcoat; instead he preferred a fur- trimmed cloak, as did his bespectacled wife. Lady Garsington was his equal when it came to stoutness, but had a small upturned nose and buck teeth, putting Megan in mind of a studious, overweight mouse. Her ladyship's shortsighted gaze soon alighted upon Greville, and she nudged her husband.
They bore down upon the small group on the verandah, and immediately made their feelings very plain where each person was concerned. Greville and Sir Jocelyn received warm smiles and kind inquires regarding health, Megan-introduced merely as Miss Mortimer-was granted a brief glance that assessed her as a nonentity who did not warrant the condescension of a greeting, Oliver was frozen out completely because he had committed the unpardonable sin of casting aside their daughter Sybil, and Chloe was given a fixed smile because although she was the reason for Oliver's defection, she was also Sir Jocelyn's daughter.
The purpose of the Garsingtons' foray to the library was soon apparent; they had decided to mark Christmas Eve with another musical extravaganza, and at such short notice they were at a struggle to find guests. Mr. Mellish was always ready to accept, but apart from him their hopes had to rest with those who had just come to town and who had yet to fill their diary, or those they caught unawares, like poor Sir Jocelyn.
'Ah, Admiral,' gushed her ladyship. 'I
Chloe's father, that grand seafaring man who had faced many an enemy without flinching, gave a start like a nervous rabbit. 'Eh? Oh, I-'
'Good,' Lady Garsington interrupted smoothly. 'We will expect you at eight. Oh, and you, of course,
Megan lowered her eyes, for the omission of Oliver and herself was so pointed as to be rude. Why Oliver was in the woman's bad books Megan couldn't imagine, but her own exclusion was clearly due to her less than superior appearance. Yet for all Lady Garsington knew, she might be an eccentric princess who liked to travel incognito! Megan hid a smile at this preposterous thought, but nevertheless it was true to say that Lady Garsington's manners and judgment left a great deal to be desired.
But if Megan was considered beneath consideration, Greville certainly was not. Lady Garsington knew he had replaced Oliver in Sybil's affections, and so singled him out for particular indulgence. 'Sir Greville, what a very agreeable surprise it is to find you here in Brighton after all. Your dear aunt told me you were staying in London this Christmas.'
