The Lady In Question Read Online Free PDF Page B

one. Unfortunately, while the tale has probably grown in the telling, the facts are indisputable. My marriage was somewhat abrupt and…incautious on my part. On his too, no doubt. And unfortunately he lost his life soon afterwards.” She paused for a moment as if remembering, or perhaps regretting, the events that had brought her to this point. Then she drew a deep breath. “I find myself quite alone, Gordon. My family has not precisely disowned me, but it may well be some time before their attitude, or more precisely my mother’s attitude, eases and I am once more welcomed into their bosom.” She smiled again and he wondered idly how that smile might light her eyes when it wasn’t so wry. “I must pay the piper for my sins, you see.
    “And I must deal with my situation as well.” She shuffled the papers before her and selected one. “I have been reviewing your references.”
    “Is there something amiss, my lady?” There shouldn’t be. His references were perfect. Totally false, but perfect. Wrought from the skillful hand of Mr. Alistair Pribble, there was not a man alive who could tell one of Pribble’s fabrications from the genuine article.
    “Not at all. However this one, from the manager of a Lord Marchant’s estate…” She looked up. “I don’t believe I recognize the name.”
    “He was exceedingly old, my lady, and without issue.” The lie rolled smoothly off his tongue. “Nor was he active in society. As such, it is not surprising that his name is unknown to you.” Particularly as Lord Marchant did not now exist, nor had he ever.
    “I see.” She studied the paper. “This notes you are exceptionally good with figures and managed the household accounts when in his lordship’s employ. It says his lordship trusted you implicitly.”
    “Does it?” he said without thinking. Damn Pribble anyway. The man was a genius when it came to forging documents or producing facsimiles of important papers, but he had a nasty sense of humor. It was well known in the department that Tony had no head for numbers. With a great deal of effort, he was competent but nothing more. This was his own fault, though. He’d never thought it necessary to actually read the references Pribble had provided. Then again, Tony had never realized the duties of a butler were quite so complicated
    “Yes, it does,” she murmured, still perusing his references.
    “That was some time ago, ma’am,” he said quickly. “I daresay my faculties are not as astute now. I’m certain I have forgotten any number of things.”
    “Nonsense, Gordon,” she said firmly, and looked up at him. “Numbers are one of the few things in life that are immune to change. One plus one always has been, and always will be, two.”
    “I understand that, my lady, but —”
    “I realize you are not as young as you once were,” she said in a kindly manner, “and I know you have not long been in my employ, but I have not noticed anything that would lead me to believe your hiring was a mistake in any way.”
    “You haven’t?” Apparently she was not especially observant.
    “You seem entirely competent in your position.”
    “I do?” Not observant in the least.
    She nodded. “Indeed you do. Furthermore, I believe your age and, more importantly, your experience will be a great asset to me as I adjust to running a household and, in truth indeed, a new life, completely on my own.”
    “Surely your family —”
    “As I said, they cannot be counted on at the moment,” she said briskly. “So we shall carry on on our own. Now then, Gordon, I do not plan on turning over the finances completely to you.”
    “You don’t?” He fought to keep the relief from his voice.
    “No, I too am good with figures. However, this is all quite complicated and I need assistance in the sorting of it.” Her brows drew together in frustration. “I find it terribly confusing and the more I try to instill some semblance of organization, the more I seem to flounder. I