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“Of course.” Artemis nodded to where the elderly duke had stood at their entrance. “Just look at his expression.”
Scarborough was smiling so widely, Artemis was afraid something might crack in his face. It was odd, really, but the duke did seem to like her cousin—not just her youth or beauty, but Penelope herself.
“But he’s so old,” Penelope said, for once lowering her voice. She had a slight frown between her brows as if honestly distressed.
“Does that really matter?” Artemis said softly. “He’s the type of man who will shower his wife with all manner of expensive gifts. It’s said that his first wife had a veritable treasure chest of jewels. Think how nice that would be.”
“Humph.” Penelope bit her lip, looking indecisive. “We’ll be returning to London in any case.”
They’d neared Scarborough as they spoke and his face fell almost comically as he heard Penelope’s last words. “Never say you’re deserting me, Lady Penelope?”
Penelope made a moue as she sat in the chair Scarborough held for her. “Since it seems our host has deserted us, I think it the thing to do.”
“Ah, yes.” Scarborough frowned down at the gammon steak on the plate before him. “Wakefield did take off yesterday like a startled hare. I’ve never seen the like. I do hope,” he said jovially, glancing at Artemis, “that he didn’t take your teasing about the Ghost of St. Giles badly, Miss Greaves.”
“I do not think the duke is so easily frightened,” Artemis replied.
Scarborough raised his eyebrows and spread wide his hands. “And yet Wakefield has fled his own country home.”
Artemis’s heartbeat picked up. The last thing she wanted was suspicion being cast Maximus’s way now.
“But the duke said he had urgent business in London,” Penelope said, her brows drawn together in a puzzled frown. “I don’t see how that can have anything to do with something Artemis said.”
“No doubt you’re right,” Scarborough said at once. “Yet his abrupt departure has left his younger sister to travel alone to London.”
“But surely Miss Picklewood will be accompanying her?” Artemis pointed out.
“Not as I understand it,” Scarborough said to her. “Apparently Miss Picklewood received news this morning of a friend in Bath who has been struck by a sudden illness. She’s already left to go to her side.”
“Then Lady Phoebe will simply have to make do with her lady’s maid on the trip to London,” Penelope said dismissively.
“A servant is hardly the same as a companion, especially for a lady in Lady Phoebe’s condition,” Scarborough mused. “As I said, it’s a pity that Wakefield found his business more urgent than his blind sister.”
Artemis winced at the blunt words. Yet, the duke’s insistence on the subject might be used to her advantage. Penelope usually only gave her a half day once a week to do as she pleased. Even if Apollo were gravely injured, Artemis very much doubted that Penelope would let her go to the Duke of Wakefield’s London home for more than a couple of hours. But if she thought it was her own idea…
Artemis cleared her throat. “I know that Wakefield is very fond of Lady Phoebe.”
“Of course, of course,” the duke rumbled.
“In fact, I suppose he would be very grateful if someone were to volunteer to travel with his sister.”
Penelope wasn’t a complete widgeon. She immediately understood Artemis’s hint—understood and didn’t much like it. “Oh, I couldn’t. Why, with you and my maids and all my luggage, we barely fit in the carriage on the way here. It’s simply impossible.”
“That is too bad,” Artemis murmured. “Of course, Phoebe could take her own carriage and only you could travel with her.”
Penelope looked horrified.
“… Or I could go.”
“You?” Penelope squinted, but it was a calculating squint. “But you’re my lady’s companion.”
“No, you’re right,” Artemis hastily demurred. “Such an extravagant gesture of kindness would be too much.”
Penelope frowned. “You really believe Wakefield would think me extravagantly kind?”
“Oh, yes,” Artemis said, wide-eyed with sincerity. “Because you will be. And if you lend me for the time that Miss Picklewood is away, why, Wakefield will hardly be able to thank you enough.”
“Oh, my,” Penelope breathed. “What a very good idea.”
