Page 71 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

“I am sure Freddie Penrose lives in the city. They always have some daughter or other making her come-out,” Lady Lockwood said. “And I cannot imagine Sir Basil anyplace but London. Who else?”

“Actually, that’s all the original signers who are still alive. But I’d like to see the heirs, as well; they’re our suspects. Timothy will be at the country house with his father. If you see Brookwell at your club, Nathan, then he must live in London, as well.”

“Yes, I believe so. Though I can’t remember last time I saw him.”

“If we’re lucky, Snowden’s son lives in London, too.”

“No, I believe the Snowden boy lives in Yorkshire.” Lady Lockwood frowned. “Can’t imagine why.”

“Then I suggest we leave him until last,” Carlisle said. He looked again at Noelle. “Is tomorrow too soon?”

“No.” Noelle had to press her lips together to keep from smiling. It wouldn’t do to reveal any of the excitement she felt at the prospect of spending several days alone with Carlisle. “It won’t take me long to get ready.”

“Excellent.” Carlisle smiled no more than Noelle did, but the look he sent her told her that he was looking forward to the trip as much as she was.

“I’ll start immediately.” Noelle turned and left the room, her steps light and her heart buoyant as she hurried up the stairs. Tomorrow, she thought, tomorrow she wouldn’t have to wait or dissemble. Tomorrow she could be with Carlisle.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

NOELLE PACKED QUICKLY, though she found she lingered over decisions of wardrobe far longer than she had in the past. Afterward, she spent the remainder of the day with Gil. The extra time was, she knew, more for her than for Gil, who seemed to have no worries about her being away. Indeed, he seemed delighted at the prospect of again being left under the doting eye of his grandmother.

After he had eaten and she’d put him to bed, Noelle returned to her room, but there was nothing left to do. She decided to say her farewells to Adeline, for they would be leaving early the next morning, long before Adeline normally arose.

She was almost to the door of Adeline’s chamber when the sound of Lady Lockwood’s stentorian tones stopped her. Perhaps she should come back later, after Adeline’s mother had left. Hand raised to knock, Noelle hung there for a moment in indecision.

Lady Lockwood went on, “I cannot understand how you could let him leave with that woman.”

Noelle stiffened. “That woman” was undoubtedly Noelle. She knew she should turn and go, but curiosity made her linger for another moment.

Inside the room, Adeline replied mildly, “I can hardly tell Carlisle what to do, Mother. He’s a grown man.”

“Grown men could benefit from being told what to do,” her mother retorted. “I would talk to him about it myself, but he won’t listen to me. He would, however, listen to you.”

“But why would I want him not to take Noelle with him? She has every right to go; she’s Gil’s mother. It can only help to have her along. Carlisle listens to her, as well.”

The old lady let out an indecipherable noise of disgust and banged her cane on the floor. “Of course he does. That’s the problem.”

“I can’t see how. Noelle is very levelheaded, I’ve found, and quite smart. I vow, sometimes when she starts talking about books, I have no idea—”

“Don’t be a ninny, Adeline. I’m not talking about her intelligence. I’m talking about the fact that Carlisle is smitten with her.”

Noelle glanced up and down the hallway. She should not eavesdrop. It would be most embarrassing to be caught lurking outside Lady Drewsbury’s door. But she could not pull herself away, not when they were discussing her and Carlisle. She took a soft step closer.

“Do you think so?” Adeline sounded pleased. “I have wondered about it, but I couldn’t be sure. Carlisle hasn’t said anything, but sometimes there is this look in his eyes. And he smiles more than he used to. It’s much nicer this way. You know, at the beginning, they did not get along at all.”

“Well, I am happy you think it’s ‘nice,’” her mother replied acidly. “I hope you’ll find it just as ‘nice’ when they drag the family into a scandal.”

“Mother! What a thing to say. They’ve done nothing to cause a scandal. I just told you, they’ve been most circumspect.”

“It won’t remain that way long if they keep jaunting off alone together. I doubt he will be so ‘circumspect’ when there’s no one around to see. I don’t care how far away we are from London, word will get out that Thorne and your grandson’s mother are having an affair!”

“You don’t know—” Adeline began, but her mother rode roughshod over her words.

“It will be a horrid scandal. That woman has already caused one stain on the family name by eloping with Adam. She has no name, no breeding—”

“Mother!” Adeline’s voice rose. “She has a very good name—Rutherford. She has as good a manners and speech as any lady I know, and she knows a good deal more than most. Noelle is a wonderful mother, and she has been nothing but good to me. I quite enjoy her company.”

Noelle’s chest warmed at Adeline’s praise. More surprising, however, were Lady Lockwood’s next words. “I enjoy her company, too. She brightens up the dinner table, even if I find her conversation too bookish at times. And, thank heavens, she’s neither bold nor a mouse. But what does that matter? I’m talking about gossip. How do you think it will affect Gilbert’s standing among his peers?”