Clara swung the door wider. Meanwhile Annalise drifted deeper into the drawing room, though she would prefer to speak to the gentleman herself. Actually, she would prefer to rush into his welcoming embrace, but she could not chance any such moment until this madness was over. She wondered if the lack of response by Mrs. Sable had been a ruse to trick Annalise into revealing herself. The stakes were too high to make a false move now; yet, it was simply wonderful to view his handsome features once again. She had missed him dearly, perhaps more so than she had missed her brother.
Out in the hallway, Lord Beaufort cleared his throat, bringing Annalise’s attention back to the moment at hand. “I was hoping Lady Caroline might agree to ride out with me this afternoon, but her ladyship departed the ball last evening before I could confirm our excursion. Therefore, if you are agreeable, I will ask you to deliver a note to your mistress. I will wait—” Annalise thought he must be looking about the entrance way before he announced, “in that room.”
Her heart dropped. She had not responded to the door, for she knew her doing so would displease Moreau. Why was Beaufort here? Had something happened of which she should be made aware? Surelyhe did not wish to go riding with Caroline. Beaufort always said how much her cousin had repulsed him, but could he have been manipulating Annalise to learn something about her uncle? He was not as friendly after Alexander made his appearance. That was all but the time he had kissed her. He could not kiss her as he had done and then also wish to kiss Caroline, could he? Purposely, Annalise took up her cloth to use on an intricately carved statue when she heard his approach.
Though she did not turn to look upon him, she knew when Lord Beaufort entered the room and when Clara scurried up the stairs. Fearing someone watched her, Annalise did not turn around until the man said softly, “I had hoped you would be the one to respond to my knock.”
Shocked, she spun around to discover him standing closer than she expected. “What?” she squeaked.
“Shush,” he said with an open-palm gesture. “We likely only have a minute. Lionel wanted you to know somehow Honfleur has discovered the loose brick. Fortunately, Carter had already retrieved your last message before he spotted Moreau snooping around, but it would be best if you do not use the space again.”
Annalise quickly nodded her understanding. “What am I to do with what I learn?” She glanced nervously towards the door. “Did you hear someone?” she mouthed.
He gestured her deeper into the room and motioned for her to remain quiet. Then he crossed on silent feet to the open door. The spectacle mesmerized her, for she had never viewed such grace in a man. “Ah, I did hear someone, after all,” he said as he glanced back at Annalise. “I told you I was not imagining things.”
Annalise dropped her gaze and bobbed a quick curtsey. “Yes, my lord,” she murmured.
“What are you doing here?” Mrs. Sable demanded of Annalise.
“Clara and I were finishing the foyer when his lordship called onLady Caroline, ma’am. I did not think it appropriate for me to be listening to his lordship’s business. I stepped in here to address anything we missed earlier while Clara assisted Lord—” She paused as if she had not heard his name.
As if on cue, his lordship said, “Beaufort. Lord Beaufort. And there is no reason to question the maid. She was performing her duties in a manner appropriate to her station while not bringing notice to her presence until you made a scene out of her existence.”
Annalise kept her eyes down and attempted to disguise her smile.
“And what errand has Clara run?” Mrs. Sable demanded.
Thankfully, Lord Beaufort responded before Annalise could arrange her thoughts. “Lord Honfleur’s maid is performing a task at my bidding,” he said in quelling aristocratic tones. “Thankfully, the maid had the good sense to respond to mysecondknock; otherwise, I might still be waiting on the threshold. As you most assuredly are Lord Honfleur’s housekeeper, I might ask why you were not available during the social hours? I am confident the marquis will be displeased with your absence from your duties.”
“I was in the solar, tending to Lord Honfleur’s wishes,” Mrs. Sable stated as a rush of color marked the woman’s cheeks.
Lord Beaufort stepped closer to the dreadful woman, using his height to intimidate her, and Annalise attempted to hide her happiness at seeing the housekeeper brought under close scrutiny. “I have heard Lord Honfleur brag often on his robust health; therefore, I doubt your truthfulness. Moreover, I can smell the brandy on your lips.”
Annalise shot a quick glance in Mrs. Sable’s direction and noted the woman’s shocked expression. She wished she had a friend with whom she could share this tale, but she must wait until she joined Alexander in her new home before she could repeat it.
“Perhaps, Mrs.—?” Lord Beaufort continued his high-handedness.
“Sable,” the housekeeper provided through tight lips.
“Perhaps, Mrs. Sable,” Lord Beaufort said without missing a beat, “you might know assurances that Clara, I believe such was the name you mentioned earlier, am I correct?”
Mrs. Sable cleared her voice. “Yes, sir.”
“Perhaps you might make assurances Clara completed her task.”
Mrs. Sable frowned. “Audrey—” she began.
Lord Beaufort’s tone became hard and threatening. “I did not ask the maid to address my wishes. I askedyouto see that the other maid understood I wished Lady Caroline to send me down a quick note as to whether I might return for her in my curricle during the more fashionable hour. The day appears to be warming quickly, but not so much as to deny us society. It would seem to me sending another maid would be an act of futility—that is, unless you believe a maid can perform the exercise better than you.” It was all Annalise could do not to burst into laughter.
“Most assuredly not, sir.” Mrs. Sable pulled herself up royally. She cleared her throat to redirect Lord Beaufort’s attention. “Audrey, you should permit his lordship exclusive use of the room.”
“Yes—” Audrey began.
Yet, Lord Beaufort overrode her response. “There is no reason to complicate Autry’s duties on my account.”
“Audrey,” Mrs. Sable corrected, and Annalise hid her smile. His lordship had purposely butchered her name to pretend he had no knowledge of her. The fact he thought so quickly of how to distract Mrs. Sable spoke to how often he had been called upon to perform thusly. Annalise would take a lesson from his performance and keep her own head squarely on her shoulders.
“Audrey. Autry. The girl is not in my way, and I am confident she has more work to complete than she should. I have never known a servant who did not.”
