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Her friend waved an imperious hand. “Silly details. It’s what happened next that’s important.”
“Well, what?”
The blonde leaned in close, although she didn’t bother to lower her voice. “Miss Haddon’s mother went insane. Apparently, the broken engagement and the subsequent duel were too much for her reason. She wententirelymad and had to be locked away.”
Her friend slapped the oversized fan to her chest. “That’s simply awful,” she said in tones of delight. “Is she still locked away?”
“Yes, in one of those dreadful asylums where they stick mad people.”
Now that was complete bollocks. Logan glanced at Donella again, but this time she refused to meet his eye.
Fan Lady looked dubious again. “That doesn’t really sound like something Lord Riddick would do. He’s a very respectable man, and an earl, after all.”
“I can assure you that I heard this from an unimpeachable source,” the blonde insisted.
“If you say so. I feel a bit sorry for Miss Haddon. It can’t be very nice to have your mamma locked away for being insane.”
“Don’t feel sorry for her, my dear. She’s almost as unstable as her mother. Why else do you think Lord Riddick shipped her off to that convent in the middle of nowhere?”
“I assumed it was because Captain Gilbride broke her heart, so she took the veil.”
This time, Donella looked at Logan and again rolled her eyes. His stomach unclenched a bit. She’d been looking devastated for a few moments, listening to that awful talk about her mother.
“Don’t be silly,” said the first girl. “The Haddons aren’t even Catholic. Lord Riddick sent her off because Donella became hysterical. It would be rather too much to have both herandher mother in an asylum, so he consigned her to the convent instead. God knows why they let her out, since she’s obviously a danger to herself and others.”
Her friend flapped her fan with dizzying force. “I did hear something about an episode with Mrs. Ferguson, but I thought it was an accident.”
“It was no accident. Miss Haddon deliberately attacked the poor woman.” The blond girl shook her head. “It’s entirely outrageous that they let her out, so she’d be free to roam about town attacking innocent ladies.”
“Goodness,” exclaimed Fan Lady. “Are youtrulysaying she’s as demented as her mother?”
“My dear, I think it—”
“You think what?” Donella asked, stepping up behind them. “That I’m insane?”
Fan Lady let out a squawk, just like a parrot, and the pert blonde almost tumbled off the bench. Donella sauntered around to stand before them, casually crossing her arms.
The blonde managed to pull herself together, although her friend looked ready to slide into a dead faint. Logan supposed he’d better make ready to catch the silly chit, although he didn’t feel much inclined to do so.
“Miss Haddon, I didn’t see you there,” said the blonde, making a game attempt.
“Obviously. You did, however, seem to know quite a bit about me and my mother.” Donella tilted her head, frowning thoughtfully. “Perhaps I am.”
“Per . . . perhaps you’re what?” stammered the blonde.
Donella leaned forward, pinning them with a bone-chilling stare. “Perhaps Iaminsane. I do have all sorts of disturbing thoughts, and I can’t seem to control them.”
The two gossips were now staring at her with undisguised horror. But as much as he appreciated Donella’s tactics—God, he loved a ruthless lass—it was time to intervene before the nitwits began shrieking in terror.
Or before he burst into uncontrollable laughter, which would also cause a scene.
He strolled up to the bench. “Up to a little mischief, I see. Are you needing a hand, lass?”
Donella gave him an adorably haughty look. “I believe I have the situation under control, Mr. Kendrick.”
The pert blonde jumped to her feet. “Oh, sir, thank God. Something must be done. Miss Haddon is . . . is . . .”
“Insane,” Donella helpfully supplied.
