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Delagarde’s head began to reel again. “Who in the world is Eustace Silsoe? Why should you marry him if you don’t want to?”
“He is that hateful woman’s brother. Nothing will do for her but that he should succeed with me, which is all the reason she has for offering to bring me out.”
Delagarde sat down again. “Just one moment. Are you telling me you are trying to involve me in this preposterous and impossible scheme you have concocted, when you have a perfectly acceptable alternative, only so you can escape a marriage you don’t want?”
“Yes,” Maidie said, as if there was nothing at all out of the way.
“But—” Words failed him.
“Adela and Eustace think they can trap me, but I am going to spike their guns,” she went on in a tone of gritty determination. “Moreover, you are to help me. I have thought it all out. We will say you are my trustee, and that I cannot marry without your consent.”
Delagarde sprang up again. “We will say nothing of the kind. The whole enterprise is unnecessary, as well as ridiculous. I will have nothing whatsoever to do with such a masquerade.”
He sounded so determined Maidie began to fear, for the first time, that her mission might be in vain. Consternation filled her as she got up again and took a hasty step towards him. “But you must. Your mother promised me.”
“My mother, as I have pointed out, is dead.”
“Which is why I have come to you.”
Delagarde threw up a warning finger. “We are going in circles again.”
Maidie came a step closer, reproach entering her voice. “Lord Delagarde, I never dreamed you would refuse me!”
He retreated, feeling harassed. “Then you must be off your head—as I would be if I were to agree to participate in this monstrous scheme.”
“But I am depending on you!”
“Well, don’t. You will have to think of something else.”
“It is such a little thing to do for me.”
“Little!”
“You will be well compensated, I assure you.”
“For living with you? Impossible! I dare say I should count myself fortunate not to end in Bedlam.”
The door opened, and a glance over his shoulder showed Delagarde a welcome interruption in the form of his great-aunt.
Chapter Two
An elderly dame, Lady Hester Otterburn was nevertheless fashionably attired in a demure version of the season’s new high-waisted gowns, a figured green muslin with half-sleeves overlaid with a light woollen shawl of darker hue. A lace-edged cap like a turban bedecked with ribbons and feathers did not quite conceal her hair, which was dark like Delagarde’s, though streaked through with grey. She held herself well, and Maidie, viewing her entrance with interest, immediately noted a resemblance to the Viscount in her softer features, although she looked to be readier to laugh.
Delagarde seized upon her with gratitude. “Aunt Hes, thank God! Kindly inform this demented female that I cannot possibly lend her countenance and become her fraudulent trustee.”
“Gracious, what in the world do you mean?” Astonished, the lady looked from him to Maidie and back again. “Who is this? What is she doing here? Is she alone?”
“My own questions precisely, and if you can get any more sense out of her than I did, you may call me a dunderhead.”
Maidie found herself the target of two pairs of eyes, the one popping with questions, the other registering a grim satisfaction. She drew a resolute breath, thrusting down the most unpleasant feelings engendered by Lord Delagarde’s persistent rejection. She refused to be put off. She had come this far. She was not going to be turned away from her purpose now. A sudden thought struck her. If this lady was Delagarde’s aunt, and she was already living in the house, then there must be an end to Delagarde’s scruples.
“But this is excellent!” She moved to grasp the elder lady’s hand. “You are his aunt?”
“Great-aunt,” amended the other, surprise in her voice.
“But you live here!” Maidie turned with renewed enthusiasm to Delagarde. “I don’t understand why you were making such a fuss. What possible objection can there be to my living here in these circumstances?”
“There is every objection. Besides, my aunt does not reside here. She is here only on a short visit.” He added on a note of sarcasm, “Sorry as I am to disappoint you.”
