AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She hurried off to the ladies’ retiring room, which was a parlour at the far end of the hall. This early in the evening, it was empty, with only one maid in attendance. The girl kindly fussed over Samantha’s dress for a few minutes, retying the bow at the back. After she’d finished, Samantha firmly blew and powdered her nose.
Emotions now firmly in place, she headed out to the corridor.
She was about to turn toward the recital hall when she heard voices behind her. It was a conversation between a man and a woman, which while quiet, was intense enough to suggest an argument.
One of those voices belonged to Mrs. Girvin. The other one . . .
Samantha trod softly down the back hall. When she came to the cross-corridor that led to the service rooms, she hesitated and then peeked around the corner. Several feet away, Girvin and Samuel Haxton, a foundation board member and its banker, were engaged in an obviously unpleasant discussion.
About what? And why was a board member arguing with one of the staff in the first place?
Even more curious and slightly alarmed by the nasty undertone in their voices, Samantha stepped forward, trying to catch their words. Unfortunately, when a board creaked under her foot, the conversation abruptly ceased.
She flattened herself against the wall, cursing her bad luck. What in blazes should she do now?
CHAPTER19
This is your foundation, old girl. You’re in charge.
Samantha squared her shoulders before briskly rounding the corner. She stopped short, affecting surprise at the sight of Haxton grasping Mrs. Girvin’s wrist. The housekeeper, cheeks flushed and eyes snapping, radiated fury.
Haxton hastily released her. “Er, Lady S . . . Samantha. What in blazes are you doing here?”
“I might very well ask the same question,” Samantha exclaimed. “Mrs. Girvin, are you all right?”
The housekeeper flicked a hand down her skirts before crossing her hands at her waist. She adopted a cool expression, although her color remained high.
“I’m perfectly well, my lady. Is anything amiss? I did not expect to see you in the service rooms after the party started.”
Samantha heard the note of skepticism in her voice, and Haxton now looked suspicious. Best to immediately go on the offensive.
“I was looking for you, Mrs. Girvin,” she replied. “But I certainly didnotexpect to find you and Mr. Haxton engaged in what appears to be an intimate conversation.”
Haxton turned a bright red. The man had always been the nervous sort and something of a bumbler, though he hadn’t seemed like a bumbler when he’d held Girvin in a firm grip.
“Oh, I thought I’d take the opportunity to ask Mrs. Girvin a question about a . . . a financial matter,” he said, clearly grasping at straws. “Just a passing thing, really. Hardly worth mentioning, my lady.”
Samantha raised her eyebrows. “So, you decided to accost her in the service corridor, in the middle of a party?”
The banker pulled a large kerchief from an inner pocket and dabbed his brow. “Yes, rather silly of me, wasn’t it? Apologies to you both. I’ll just return to the party now, shall I?”
When he hurried past, Samantha didn’t try to stop him. At the moment, she was more interested in the distinct wariness behind Girvin’s calm demeanor.
“Mrs. Girvin, what is this about?”
“Nothing important, my lady.”
Samantha frowned. “I generally don’t like to pry—”
“Then don’t.”
She blinked, astonished by the acid response. Girvin could be a touch arrogant, but she’d never addressed Samantha with anything less than respect. “I beg your pardon?”
Girvin rolled her lips inward before dipping a contrite head. “I apologize, Lady Samantha. I am a trifle flustered by my conversation with Mr. Haxton.”
“Your private conversation, it would seem.”
“Yes,” Girvin reluctantly said.
