“Lord and Lady Willoughby will see you now,” he announced in a self-important tone.
Irregardless of the man’s timing, Edwina shot Sterling a conspiratorial smile.
It had worked.
Now they just had to convince Lord and Lady Willoughby to allow them to investigate.
I do like you…. For you….
Sterling suddenly felt on top of the world, and he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying that doubt around in his chest like a leaden weight.
Striding into the sunroom at the back of the manor, he felt like he could surmount any challenge today—including an earl who was hovering very protectively over his young wife at the back of the room.
“Lord Sterling,” the tall, middle-aged earl said, standing to greet them. “Please sit, and I’ll send for refreshments. This is my wife, Lady Willoughby.”
The young lady reclining on the daybed looked somewhat wan, but very beautiful.
Sterling gave her a smile. “My lady, how do you do?”
She pushed herself upright with a glimpse at Willoughby. “Quite well, thank you. You shall have to forgive me if I don’t stand.”
“Quite understandable.” He turned and gestured Edwina into the light. “This is my travelling companion, Miss Edwina Sheffield.”
The Willoughby’s exchanged a glance that spoke volumes.
“My, ah, secretary,” he hastened to add, because clearly the Willoughby’s were of the old school.
“How do you do?” Edwina bobbed a curtsy to both Lord and Lady Willoughby.
Willoughby cleared his throat, seemingly unsure in how to proceed. “I must admit it was a surprise to see your calling card, Reed. I know your father somewhat, and I wasn’t aware you would be travelling through Bedfordshire or I would have offered you a room.”
“Thank you.” He gave Lord Willoughby a brief nod. “But we would never have sought to impose in such a time.”
Willoughby’s face screwed up. “You’ve seen that pack of hungry jackals at the inn then. It’s all just been some sort of misunderstanding, and yet, they’re slavering for a glimpse of my Eliza.”
Taking a seat on the edge of the daybed, he squeezed his wife’s hand.
Sterling offered Edwina a seat, exchanging a look with her. This wasn’t just an arranged marriage, despite the gap in age between the two of them. Willoughby clearly doted on his wife.
“Yes, we’ve seen them,” he said, taking his own seat. “Horrible mess of things. I’m sure you’d prefer to keep such a matter quiet.”
“Lady Willoughby and I prefer the country for a reason.”
“I have to confess…. I do have an ulterior motive in coming here today.”
Lord Willoughby tensed.
“I’m sure, if you’ve spoken to my father, you’re well aware that I’ve broken ranks.” He offered Willoughby a wink. “I’m a member of the Order of the Dawn Star, and serve my queen.”
Willoughby gave a curt nod. “He didn’t mention it, no, but yes, I’m aware.”
The scandal of the decade.
Of course, several members of the aristocracy had turned to sorcery. Lady Rathbourne herself served as Prime.
But his father had very loudly cast him out of the house for it.
And it seemed the entirety of London knew it.
