The Lady Travelers Guide To Scoundrels And Other Gentlemen. Victoria Alexander

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      Mr. Saunders glanced at India. “I would think so.”

      The older lady’s gaze shifted from her nephew to India and back. “I will leave you to it then.” She took Mrs. Greer’s arm and herded the couple toward the hall. “I can’t tell you how envious I am. Perhaps, one day, I, too...”

      Mr. Saunders closed the doors behind them.

      India stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “Paris?”

      “I believe that’s the third time you’ve said that.”

      “It bears repeating. If I recall correctly, you originally suggested following in Heloise’s footsteps. And I agreed.” She drew her brows together. “Her footsteps did not begin in Paris.”

      “No, they did not,” he said mildly, crossing the room to a cabinet and opening the doors. “Would you care for a brandy or whisky? Or perhaps sherry would be more to your liking.”

      “I have tea.” She waved impatiently at her cup.

      “Ah yes, well, so you do.”

      “I have never been one for overindulgence in spirits.”

      “Imagine my surprise.”

      “Besides, it’s entirely too early in the day for spirits.”

      “How did I know you were going to say that?” He poured himself a glass of something amber and probably horribly inebriating.

      She ignored the question. “I do hope indulging in alcohol at all hours is not something you plan to make a habit of during our travels.”

      “As long as my habits do not interfere in our purposes, I would say they are none of your concern.”

      She paused to summon a measure of calm. She couldn’t find Heloise without this beastly creature, and, as much as she disapproved of nearly everything about him, it made no sense not to attempt to get along with him. Still...

      “Mr. Saunders.” She drew a calming breath. “I do not appreciate you changing our plans without informing me.”

      He glanced at her, took a deep swallow of his drink, then refilled his glass. As if dealing with her required strong spirits.

      “First of all, Miss Prendergast, they are not our plans.” He returned to his chair, gestured for her to sit, then resumed his seat. “They are my plans. You insisted upon coming. It’s only because my aunt agreed that you should that I am allowing you to do so.”

      She gasped. “Allowing me?”

      “Yes,” he said in a hard tone. “Allowing you.”

      “Whether you allow me to accompany you or not, I was not about to allow you to look for my cousin without supervision.”

      “Supervision?” His brow rose as if she had just made the most amusing comment.

      “I daresay someone needs to keep an eye on you.”

      “You don’t trust me, do you, Miss Prendergast?”

      “Absolutely not.”

      “Why not?” He leaned forward in what appeared to be genuine curiosity. “You don’t even know me.”

      “Your reputation does not foster trust, Mr. Saunders.”

      “I see.” He studied her curiously. “I would have thought you were the type of woman who judged people on their own merits rather than what gossips have had to say about them.”

      Heat washed up her face. “I am indeed, but I am not a fool. When one person says a piece of fruit is a plum, there’s a possibility it may not be a plum. However, when dozens of people identify it as a plum, the chances are very good that it is indeed a plum.”

      “I see.” He continued his perusal of her as if she were an insect in a glass case. “You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

      “I’ve never had any reason to doubt myself or my judgment.”

      “Oh, this will be an enjoyable trip,” he said under his breath.

      “I am not here to enjoy myself,” she said staunchly.

      “Understandable, of course.”

      “I am very concerned about my cousin.” The oddest lump formed in her throat, and she cleared it. “Indeed, she is my only concern.”

      “Do not mistake my words, Miss Prendergast,” he said in a serious manner. “I, too, am concerned that we find Lady Heloise safe and well. However, it has been my observation that even the most serious of ventures progresses more easily when one attempts to appreciate new experiences.”

      “I have no intention of appreciating anything.”

      “No, I didn’t think you would.”

      She ignored him. “I do wish you would answer my question. Why are we starting in Paris?”

      “Because the last letter you received from her came from Paris.”

      “How did you know that?”

      “Good God, Miss Prendergast, you needn’t look at me as if I were some sort of nefarious villain intent on doing you and your cousin harm.”

      Admittedly, she had little more than gossip and her suspicions as to his character. Not that he probably didn’t deserve it.

      “Until you prove otherwise, Mr. Saunders...” She shrugged.

      He stared at her for a moment, then laughed.

      “This is not amusing.”

      “On the contrary, it—you—” he raised his glass to her “—are most amusing.”

      “Imagine my delight in your assessment of me,” she snapped. “Now, once again—how did you know her last letter was from Paris?”

      “When we first met, you said her last letter was from France and you specifically said it was from Paris in each and every letter you sent to the Travelers Society.”

      She stared at him. “You actually read them?”

      “Of course I did.” He sipped his drink. “If you recall, I had already begun an effort to locate her before you so politely introduced yourself.”

      “I will grant you that,” she said reluctantly. Perhaps on this one point she was not being fair.

      “Thank you.” He thought for a moment. “It simply seemed to me it was logical to begin our search in the last place we know Lady Heloise to have visited, rather than going back to where she was previously. Don’t you agree?”

      “That does make sense.” She nodded slowly.

      “Then СКАЧАТЬ