His investigator had written that he had “made strides” in gathering information. But the confounded fellow had not outlined what those strides were!
Percival was beginning to feel very impatient for answers.
Before he knew where his feet traveled, he was in front of the earl and Darden.
“Harveston,” Darden said jovially, “I did not expect to find you here.”
“Lady Rawley is my aunt,” he said by way of explanation. Though, the explanation sounded rather weak, as Lady Rawley had been his aunt all the other years that he hadnotattended.
“I do not usually come to such things, myself,” the earl said, “but my daughter and Miss Mayton have been so very keen on the whole thing.”
“Yes,” Percival said, “they are all exceedingly enthusiastic about it.”
“Well, I suppose we will be entertained in some manner,” the earl said genially. “And then, the sideboard looks very good. Very good indeed.”
Percival nodded. Perhaps his sideboard was not quite as good as it should be after all.
He pushed that notion aside. He must find out about Lord Darling.
Boldly, he said, “Lord Darling does not attend? He does not care for such entertainments?”
The earl and Darden both laughed heartily.
“That is very good, Lord Harveston,” the earl said. “Very good indeed.”
“I suppose,” Darden said, “Lord Darling would be delighted with the entertainment, and even more with the sideboard. What might he help himself to, I wonder? The entire sideboard, and then Lady Rawley’s precious possessions, for good measure.”
“Gracious, that fellow is becoming the bane of my existence—I cannot get him out of the house!” the earl said jovially.
Percival was rather stunned by these revelations.
What was he to understand of this situation? Was Lord Darling some sort of freeloader who could not be shown the door?
Percival paused. Darden had said Lord Darling would go after “precious possessions.” What could be a more precious possession than a sister or a daughter!
Why did the earl and Darden just stand there laughing about it though? Why did they not take action?
He could not question them more closely about it, even if he’d known what question to ask without causing offense, as Lord Iverson was calling everyone to their seats.
As most in attendance had already claimed their spots by way of filled plates and full glasses already on tables, the operation did not take as long as might be expected.
Percival reluctantly left the earl and Darden to find his own place.
Iverson, forever admiring of Lady Rawley’s productions, had long been assigned the role of introducing each new play. Or each new…whatever it was.
“My dear ladies, esteemed gentlemen,” Lord Iverson said, “it is my honor each year to introduce the latest burst of originality leaping out of the nimble mind of Lady Margaret Rawley.”
A burst of originality was certainly a diplomatic way to put it.
“This year, she brings youOthello Redux,” Iverson said with his own particular brand of enthusiasm.
Lady Rawley and her acting troupe had arranged themselves on the stage, but for Miss Mayton, who stood in the wings.
Lady Cordelia looked so well! What did she face at home though? Did she have that diabolical Lord Darling trying to catch her in corners? What must she feel to have her brother and her father take so little care! And what of Miss Mayton? Would she not speak out against the rogue?
He glanced toward the door and saw Jones standing next to a late middle-aged and rather portly gentleman. Lady Rawley’s physician, no doubt. Please God he was not needed.
Percival sipped his wine as the play began. He gulped it when they came to the sword fight.
