The Vanishing at Loxby Manor, Abigail Wilson [best value ebook reader .TXT] 📗

find various ways for the two of us to be alone.Even in a room full of people, he was attuned to my needs.

He dipped his chin. “What do you think about my plans for the ball?”

“I believe you were right to encourage us to go. The opportunity might indeed prove useful.”

He edged in a bit closer, closing the gap between the column and the wall. “While we’re there”—his voice sounded strained—“doyou think you could tempt Lord Kendal into asking you for a dance?”

I blinked, an uncomfortable laugh aching to slip out of my mouth. “And how exactly do you expect me to do that? Lord Kendaland I barely know one another, and he’s never shown any interest before. You know I’ll never be considered a toast.”

Piers gave me a curious look. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Joke as if you’ve nothing to recommend yourself.”

Then I did laugh. “Because I don’t.”

His face grew serious and it took him a moment to respond. “I would consider Lord Kendal a fool if he gave up a chance todance with you.”

My cheeks filled with warmth, and I turned away. “What if he does ask me? What then?”

“Use the moment to question what exactly he and Seline talked about. You’re her friend, and she would certainly take you intoher confidence. It would be only natural that you harbor concern for her. Tell him she’s fallen into a decline.”

My shoulders felt heavy, my left one still harboring the faintest ache from the fall in the library the previous week. “Youare forgetting one rather important detail.”

“What’s that?”

“I won’t be able to hear anything he says in the middle of the dance floor.” My hand sought the comfort of my throat. “Youknow with any noise, I can’t—”

I felt his light touch at the small of my back, and my focus snapped toward the room. Avery and his mother were deep in conversationnear the fire. Neither was the least interested in what Piers and I were doing hiding beside the pianoforte. His touch feltpersonal, closed away as we were from the rest of the company.

Piers seemed confused by my expression, then jerked his hand off my back. “I do apologize. I, uh, momentarily forgot my place.It won’t happen again.” He propped himself against the column. “What if you were to go about your dance with Kendal in a differentway? You could plan the dance, but at the last minute declare you’d rather take a turn with him in the garden.”

“Wouldn’t that be a bit bold of me?”

“Seline certainly would, and if I take Honora there myself, Kendal will be chomping at the bit to follow.”

The garden.

I pressed my hands together to hide an inward shiver. Piers didn’t know that I’d rarely visited any gardens at balls. CouldI actually go there—with Lord Kendal?

Piers watched me with that probing look of his, and I was caught in his gaze. Then his shoulders relaxed. “You needn’t worry.I’ll be in there watching you the whole time. What happened with Seline and Kendal was no more than a silly lark. Touch herankles indeed. I never should have called him out for it.”

“It’s not that.”

Slowly, a knit formed across his brow. “Then what?”

For a breathless moment I thought I might actually tell him, but the bell of self-preservation rang loudly in my mind.

I gave him a passable shrug. “I’m simply worried I might not be able to uncover the information we seek. After all, I’m hardlya Bow Street runner.”

He mirrored my tentative grin. “All we can do is try.”

I nodded, and just like that I’d agreed to an intimate conversation with a gentleman I barely knew in a garden, of all places.I thought I might be sick.

*  *  *

The next few times I visited Mr. Cavanagh in his room was of my own choosing. The very idea of him lying there day after day with little more than a tight-lipped nurse would be more than many could bear. And I’d never expected it, but I’d come to enjoy his conversation.

He was a great deal like Piers, actually. An easy listener with calm mannerisms, a wise counsel with none of the confusingfeelings of attraction.

Mr. Cavanagh’s deep scowl transformed into a smile as I swept the gown of my skirt beneath my legs and took a seat at hisside. “How are you today, Mr. Cavanagh?”

He reached out his hand for mine. “A great deal better now, and I’m happy to report I have been a bit stronger this week.I’ve spent more of my time in my chair as you suggested, and it seems to have done me a world of good. I’m not certain whyI’d not done so before. Everyone keeps telling me how weak I am, but you are in the right of it. How am I to get better ifI don’t ever push myself?”

“That’s wonderful.”

His lips twitched. “Are you to attend this ball I keep hearing about?”

The question was a surprise but an equally prudent reminder that Mrs. Cavanagh liked to talk. “I shall accompany Mrs. Cavanaghof course. Although, on the whole I’d rather not go.”

“Not go?”

I realized my mistake at once. What reason could I possibly have for wanting to avoid a ball? “I suppose I loathe the ideaof everyone staring at us, sneering at the Cavanagh family. Since Seline’s scandal, I mean. They’ve probably all heard whathappened between Miles and her in the stables.”

He scrunched up his nose. “I’m told by Baker that we’ve done a fair job of managing the whole thing, and your being there will help put to rest any further rumors. Most in attendance will be blissfully ignorant of what transpired that day.”

“I suppose you are right.” I wished I’d controlled the hesitation in my voice a bit better.

Consternation crossed his face. “You can consider yourself one of the Cavanaghs while you are under my roof. Hold your headhigh.”

A Cavanagh. If only I really were one.

He went on, “And Piers will be there. He of all people has a far bigger burden to bear. He shall be forced to face HonoraGervey after all this time.”

My