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An unaccustomed commotion in the manor entrance hall made the ladies look at each other in concern. Ria heard the muffled sound of a loud voice. Taking a deep breath, she put down her embroidery and walked to the door. Opening it, she was able to hear more clearly.
It was Geoffrey Danielson.
Her instinctive reaction was to swiftly close the door, but she could hear his voice getting even louder. He was demanding to see her.
If she didn’t go out there, he might hurt Flowerday. She could tell by the murmur of voices that other servants were there as well, and if there was a fight and Geoffrey was injured, the servants would likely be held at fault by the authorities.
Surely with so many people around she would be safe. He wouldn’t dare attack her.
She turned at the sound of Aunt Charity’s voice. “What is it, dear?”
Not wanting to worry the ladies and certainly not wanting them to go near Geoffrey, she said, “I will go and see.”
As Aunt Charity put her embroidery down and made to rise, Ria added, “No, don’t trouble yourself. I am sure it is nothing. I won’t be long.”
After slipping out the doorway, she firmly shut it. She quietly walked along the corridor until she was in the doorway of the oval entry hall. Unnoticed, she observed the scene. All three burly footmen were lined up behind her butler.
Geoffrey was loudly remonstrating with Flowerday. “Tell her I am here. And don’t give me that rubbish about her not being at home. I know she’s in. Damned disgraceful. This is my second home, man. You shouldn’t have to introduce me. I’m family. What do you mean by it?”
He then tried to move around the butler, but the footmen blocked his path.
Ria stepped forward, careful not to get too close. “Did you wish to see me, Geoffrey?”
At the sound of her voice, Geoffrey looked at her, only partially visible behind the wall of footmen. With an ingratiating smile, he said, “Honoria, my dear. I am so pleased you are well.” Glaring at the servants, he added, “These fellows were trying to keep me from you.”
“I am sorry, but they were following instructions. I am not receiving visitors, you see.”
“Yes, but I am not a visitor. As I told them, I am family.”
“Nevertheless, they were acting on my instructions.”
Geoffrey tried to come closer to her, but the wall of servants blocking his path did not move. “My dear, perhaps we could adjourn to the drawing room. I would like to talk with you.”
“I believe everything was said the last time we spoke.”
“Honoria, you are not holding that against me, are you? What I said was in anger. I did not mean it. Really, my dear, I would prefer not to discuss this in public.”
She looked at him but made no attempt to move.
Geoffrey glared at the servants and then looked at her. “This is ridiculous.”
Seeing she was not moving, he raked his fingers through his hair, then told her diffidently, “I came to apologize. For the accident as well as my behavior last time we spoke. I tried to see you at the inn but was refused admittance. I don’t know how the accident happened. The horse just got away from me. It’s embarrassing to admit—I do have a reputation as a horseman to uphold—but, well, there you have it. I am so very pleased you are better.”
His apology sounded sincere, not at all rehearsed, but it left her unmoved. After all, he had sounded genuine the day they met near the bridge. But as she had suspected, time had revealed his duplicity.
As she was framing a reply, she heard through the open front door the sound of a horse cantering up the tree-lined drive.
Moments later, a gentleman clad in a greatcoat strode into the entrance hall. Luc was early today. His incisive green eyes took in the scene within moments.
At Flowerday’s signal, a footman went forward to take his coat and gloves. The earl swiftly divested himself of them, all the while watching Geoffrey like a ravenous hawk.
Coolly he greeted her unwelcome visitor. “Danielson.”
Geoffrey swallowed hard. “Arden.”
She watched, fascinated, as Luc stood in the entry. Not saying a word. His piercing eyes fixed on Geoffrey.
In no time at all, Geoffrey crumbled under the pressure. “Well then, I will bid you goodbye.” Nodding to Ria, he said, “My dear, I hope next time we meet we can discuss things more fully.”
