AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Marilee waited for an explanation that was not forthcoming. Did the lady simply not want to discuss the records with Mr. Crowley? Was that the reason for this boon? Marilee did not want to get more entangled than she was. Even though a visit with Mr. Crowley would be most pleasant, she had to remember that she was a captive here and her first priority must be escape. “Could he not be told that you are out or ill?” Marilee offered hopefully. It was most unusual to send a maid to entertain a guest; even though the thought of Mr. Crowley was enticing.
“No,” Lady Lydia replied with her nose upturned. “And if he is not watched, he will stick his long nose into all manner of Blackwell’s business.”
Wasn’t that the point of hiring a solicitor? Marilee thought, but of course, there was much to be secretive about in this house. “Just go,” Lady Lydia snapped, “before the man starts wandering around the house.”
Lady Lydia was becoming annoyed with Marilee’s pestering and the effect of her pleasant appearance would soon wear off to raise her wrath. “I do need to speak with him,” she said with a sigh, “but he must learn that it is to be on my terms and not his. Keep him from loitering about the house, questioning the maids,” she said with slightly less venom.
At least that reasoning made a smidgen of sense. Marilee dipped a curtsy in acquiescence and farewell and left Lady Lydia to her plotting.
CHAPTER6
Marilee learned from Mr. Smyth, the butler, that the gentleman had been put in the green parlor, the lesser of the two entertaining parlors. She thanked the man, as he hurried off with papers in hand. She went in search of the solicitor. On her way, she passed a serving maid named Ella who had only arrived the day before. Marilee requested that a tea tray be brought to the parlor. Then, she entered the darkened room to find that the gentleman had not even been given the courtesy of having a fire lit to warm his bones. The room was freezing.
He was pacing on the far side of the room by the window when she entered and Marilee was surprised to see that he was much younger than she had envisioned. Somewhere in his mid-thirties, she decided. When he turned, she realized he was the same man she had spied upon, the same man who was questioning the kitchen staff about the steward. When the man noted that she was not Lady Lydia, he sighed and went back to wearing a path in the carpet.
Marilee moved about the room and lit the lamps, glancing at the man from under her lashes. Honestly, it was like this entire house lacked any sort of decency. Next, she crouched in front of the dying embers and prodded the fire back to life before adding a bit of kindling for good measure. If nothing else, Lady Lydia would appreciate the warmth of the room whenever she finally made her appearance. If she made an appearance.
The tea arrived just as Marilee completed her tasks. She stood next to the fire, glancing at it occasionally to be sure it stayed lit. Ella offered a pitying glance at the solicitor before she made a silent exit.
“Mr. Crowley,” Marilee made a sweeping gesture toward the tray. He stopped in his tracks and looked down at the offering with his mouth drawn in a tight line. Then, he turned to Marilee.
Marilee felt somewhat embarrassed and heat flooded her cheeks. This was the same young man who had happened upon her whilst spying through a door. She felt the blood rise in her cheeks when he recognized her.
“You again!” he laughed.
“So, it would appear,” she murmured.
“Spying again?” he asked.
“Of course not, and I wasn’t spying!” she argued before she could collect herself. “Not the first time, nor now,” She said as she crossed her arms.
He seemed to accept her admission but the small quirk in his grin revealed that if given the chance he might tease her for that moment further. Marilee knew she ought to be mortified but there was something in his ease, something kindred, that settled her into enjoying the jest. Smiles were rare enough in this house.
“If Ihadbeen spying,” she continued, “I would have been sure not to make the same mistake twice.”
“Trip over an ash bucket?” he laughed. “I do not see one nearby. You are quite safe.”
“That,” she agreed, “Or be seen at all.”
“Oh? Then, you are here with purpose?” he wondered aloud, to which Marilee simply shrugged.
What was she meant to say? That Lady Lydia had the full intention of wasting his time simply for spite? That she had no idea why she had been sent down here or what she was to do to occupy a stranger for an hour or more while the lady played her games?
“The lady told me to come,” she said, knowing how unusual this was.
He raised an eyebrow. “Did she say how long?” he asked without preamble. Oh, he was smart, she thought. Smart and handsome if she dared to admit. He had brown hair and watchful warm chestnut eyes that at once told her, if his words had not, that he did not miss much.
“Would you like some tea?” she continued as if she had not heard.
“How long am I to wait this time?” he asked again somewhat testily.
Marilee bit her lower lip and wondered if it would be prudent to lie. His eyebrows raised as he awaited her reply, assessing her. She sighed.
“An hour at least, I am sure,” she finally admitted. “But…”
“I didn’t hear it from you,” he interjected with a nod, and turned back to the tea tray.
Very smart, she thought. Then, as if appeased by the fact that she had shown him enough respect to be honest, he moved to sit and pour two cups of tea. Marilee remained by the fireside and watched him. Marilee had not expected two cups when she had asked the other maid for tea. The tea was for guests.
