Rendezvous Read Online Free PDF Page B

he was, sauntering into the library, cool as you please while I was on my knees behind Enfield’s desk.”
    “
Graystone
.” Rosalind sank back down into her chair with a horrified expression. “That high stickler? He saw you? He saw my journal?”
    Augusta shook her head reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Rosalind. He did not know it was yours, but yes, he did discover me in the library.” She turned to frown seriously at Sally. “I must say, it was all very mysterious. He apparently knew that I would be there and he even knew I wanted something out of the desk. In fact, he even produced a length of wire and picked the lock. But he refused to tell me his source of information.”
    Rosalind put a hand to her mouth and her dark eyes widened in alarm. “Dear heaven, we must have a spy in our midst.”
    Sally made soothing noises. “I am quite certain there is nothing to worry about. I have known the man for years. Graystone’s town house is just at the other end of the street, you see. I can tell you from experience that he is almost always possessed of the most unusual information.”
    “He gave me his word he would not tell a soul about the incident and I am inclined to believe him,” Augusta said slowly. “He has become a close friend of my uncle’s in recent months, you know, and I believe he thought he was doing Sir Thomas a favor by keeping an eye on me at Enfield’s.”
    “That’s another thing about Graystone,” Sally said smoothly. “He can be trusted to keep a secret.”
    “Are you certain?” Rosalind looked at her anxiously.
    “Absolutely positive.” Sally raised her teacup to her pale lips, took a sip, and set the cup and saucer firmly on the end table. “Now, then, my bold young friends. We havemanaged to brush through this unfortunate affair safely enough, thanks to Augusta’s daring and my own ability to secure invitations for acquaintances on short notice. Lady Enfield did owe me a few favors, after all. However, I feel I should take this opportunity to make a point.”
    “I believe I know what you are going to say,” Augusta murmured, pouring herself a cup of tea. “But it is entirely unnecessary. Not only did Lord Graystone see fit to read me a boring lecture, I can assure you, I have learned a lesson from poor Rosalind’s sad plight. I, for one, will never, ever, put anything down in writing that can possibly come back to haunt me.”
    “Nor will I, ever again.” Rosalind Morrissey clutched the journal very close to her breast. “What a beast that man is.”
    “Who? Enfield?” Sally smiled grimly. “Yes, he is most definitely a bastard when it comes to his dealings with women. Always has been. But there is no denying he fought bravely enough during the war.”
    “I do not know what I ever saw in him,” Rosalind stated. “I much prefer the company of someone like Lord Lovejoy. What do you know of him, Sally? Your information is always the most current, even though you rarely leave the comforts of your own home.”
    “I have no need to go abroad for the latest
on dit
.” Sally smiled. “Sooner or later it all flows through the front door of Pompeia’s. As for Lovejoy, I have only recently begun hearing of his charms. They are many and varied, I am told.” She glanced at Augusta. “You can testify to that, can you not, Augusta?”
    “I danced with him at the Lofenburys’ ball last week,” Augusta said, remembering the laughing, red-haired baron with the brilliant green eyes. “I must admit it is quite exciting to dance the waltz with him. And he is rather mysterious, I understand. No one seems to know much about him.”
    “He is the last of his line, I believe. There wassomething said about estates in Norfolk.” Sally pursed her lips. “But I have no notion of how prosperous his lands are. Best take care that you are not becoming enamored of another fortune hunter, Rosalind.”
    Rosalind groaned. “Why is it that all the most interesting men have a serious character