Page 79 of Rogue Lyon

There was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Nancy called sharply, clearly irritated at the intrusion. “We do not wish to be disturbed.”

“Lysander. Miss Jones’s presence is requested by Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”

“What?” Meredith bolted upright and dashed at the tears on her cheeks. “Now? Oh, God, can you help me pack? I am to be thrown onto the streets in the middle of the night. Oh, heaven help me.” Meredith leaped up and pushed damp strands of hair from her brow. “I will be murdered by morn,” she wailed.

“Get a hold of yourself.” Nancy grabbed her by the shoulders. “Stop this.”

“But…?”

“You will not be murdered by morn.”

“Although it would be a way out of this scandal.” Bethany shrugged.

“Shut up, Bethany. That is not helpful,” Nancy snapped. “Now pass me that brush we must do something with Meredith’s hair before she goes downstairs.” She angled her face at the door. “Give us two minutes, Lysander. She won’t be long.”

“Let me.” Bethany took the brush and started on Meredith’s hair.

Meredith stood stock-still and let her fuss. She was helpless and hopeless to the situation.

“Now blow your nose.” Nancy handed her a kerchief. “And dry those eyes. This amount of hysteria will only amplify your guilt.”

She dabbed at her face. “But I am guilty of everything of which I am accused.”

“Shh now.” Nancy pinched her chin. “Head up.” She set about powdering Meredith’s hot cheeks.

Bethany finished with her hair and squirted Meredith with the new French perfume. “Oh…this is fancy.”

Meredith bit on her bottom lip to keep a new sob inside. Her chest was tight and her heart thudded with foreboding.

She was in a serious predicament with Mrs. Dove-Lyon. The path out of it would not be an easy one.

“There.” Nancy stepped back and scrutinized her.

“The best we can do under the circumstances.” Bethany tugged at Meredith’s gown to pull out the creases. “The rest is up to you.”

“Wish me luck.” Meredith blew out a breath. She had to get a grip of her emotions. Mrs. Dove-Lyon didn’t like crying.

“Apologize, be contrite, and take whatever punishment she doles out with grace. That will impress her.” Nancy squeezed her hand. “I’ll be waiting here to help in any way I can.”

“Thank you. Thank you both, for everything.”

Meredith stepped from the room. Lysander nodded at her then turned to the stairs.

She followed him until she’d reached Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office then knocked quietly on the door.

“Enter.”

Meredith stepped in to the candlelit room. It smelled of incense and the pile of books on the desk appeared to have grown considerably since she’d last been in the room.

“Ah, Meredith. You are here,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said.

“Yes, and I am so—” Her apology stalled in her throat. Because in the corner of the room, in the shadows, stood Jules.

Their gazes connected. Her mouth fell open. What on earth was he doing in here?

“Finally,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said, spreading her hands on the desk and the light catching on her large rings. “I have both the culprits of this stupendous scandal before me.”