Page 84 of A Momentary Marriage

Laura struggled to think of some other topic to distract Walter before he could think too much about the apothecary and Claude. Fortunately, Patricia stormed into the sitting room at that moment, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Where is he?” As the occupants of the room swung toward her, Patricia waved the straw bonnet in her hand at the women on the couch. “Look at this! He ruined my new hat! And don’t you dare try to tell me he didn’t mean to. Robbie’s an absolute menace with that slingshot, always creeping about taking potshots at everything! He could have taken out my eye, you know, instead of crushing my hat. I bought this in London just last winter,” she ended in a moan.

Adelaide sprang to her feet, her eyes flashing, but before she could say anything, Tessa exclaimed, “Oh, my dear, your lovely bonnet!” She curved an arm around her daughter’s waist, taking the hat to examine it. “No wonder you’re upset. But, look, see, it’s not crushed. The dent comes right out and we can replace this feather and the grapes easily enough.”

“That still doesn’t excuse that little brat for—”

“Now, now, Patsy.” Tessa overrode her daughter’s voice, steering her toward the door and walking with her to it. “I know Adelaide is devastated about this.”

Laura thought Adelaide looked more furious than devastated, but Adelaide forced her face into a smile and said, “Yes, of course. I shall speak to Robbie about it, I promise. It’s very naughty of him to be playing with that slingshot so close to people. No doubt he’s run away to hide in shame over what he did. He wouldn’t harm you for the world, Patricia. You’re his favorite aunt.”

Laura suspected that was true, since Patricia was Claude’s only sister, but this statement seemed to mollify Patricia, for she let her mother propel her out of the room.

“Poor Robbie.” Adelaide turned back. “I’m sure he is most distraught over this.”

“Dear Mrs. De Vere, you must be so distressed.” Mr. Netherly came over to take Adelaide’s arm and help her to the sofa, as if she were too fragile to manage it on her own.

“I should rather think it’s Patsy who’s distressed,” Walter pointed out. Privately Laura agreed. Little as Laura liked James’s sister, what the boy had done was dangerous.

“You’re right, Walter,” Adelaide agreed earnestly. “I do hope you won’t think badly of Robbie. He can be thoughtless, as young boys so often are.”

“Thank heavens Lady de Vere was here to comfort Mrs. Salstone,” Mr. Netherly volunteered. “She is an angel, of course.”

“Of course.” Walter gave the other man a look of contempt. “I’m surprised you didn’t rush to help Lady de Vere, Netherly.”

“You’re right.” The other man appeared much struck by his statement. “I should go to her.”

“Lot of good he’ll do,” Walter muttered as the other man hurried off.

Adelaide turned to Laura and Walter. “I’m sure Robbie was not aiming at Patricia. He just didn’t think.” She sighed. “Poor Patricia. I know she wouldn’t normally get this upset at Robbie. She’s quite fond of him. It’s what happened in London, of course.”

Laura moved closer, saying casually, “What happened in London?”

“Oh, well, I probably shouldn’t speak of it. Perhaps it isn’t true.” There was a gleam in Adelaide’s eyes that was at odds with her normally saccharine attitude. “But I cannot help but think it explains why Patricia has been so . . .”

“Mean?” Walter suggested.

“Now, Walter, dear . . . Patsy isn’t mean; she’s merely unhappy.”

“That’s Patsy’s natural state,” Walter responded carelessly.

“I’m sure you don’t mean that.” Adelaide smiled up at him. “Patricia has ample reason to be unhappy, especially now. It’s said that Salstone has run up so many debts in London he isn’t welcome among his peers anymore. It’s a terrible disgrace; I’m sure Patricia is humiliated.”

“But surely his father will pay his debts, won’t he?” Laura asked.

“That’s just it.” Adelaide shook her head gravely. “Lord Salstone washed his hands of Archie. Said he’s not going to keep throwing good money after bad. That’s why they’re here rusticating.”

“Why not go back to that castle Patsy’s always bragging about?” Walter asked.

“I gather the castle is a mite too rustic. And Archie’s mother is still very much in charge of the running of it.” Adelaide sighed and shook her head. “One cannot help but feel for poor Patricia. It’s no wonder she gets overwrought now and then.”

It was not long before Tessa returned, Mr. Netherly devotedly by her side. Laura quickly excused herself to return to the unfinished business of the invitations. She noticed that Walter, too, had recalled an urgent task that needed doing.

Adelaide’s revelations about Patricia and Archie certainly opened up new avenues of thought. Laura was eager to talk it over with James. Perhaps he would drop into the music room to listen to her practice this afternoon, as he sometimes did. Or tonight when he came to her bedroom . . .

If he came to her bedroom, Laura reminded herself. She could not count on desire bringing him to her tonight, especially after this morning in his study. Laura couldn’t hold back a secretive little smile as she thought about that. James might be content now, even sated. Perhaps it was because she was so new to the experience that she was already humming with eagerness to be in his arms again. Or perhaps—a lowering thought—she was more licentious than other people.

In any case, she could not expect him to come to her. Would it be too forward of her to seek him out? In the past she would have thought nothing of going to talk to him. How strange that their new intimacy had the result of making her feel shyer with him. It was, she realized, because now she had something to protect—a new green shoot of a relationship to nurture.