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"No, I need to have a word with Lord Scarcliff so if I could just get a bath and some help changing."
Mrs. Hamston clearly thought this unwise but she kept her own council and ordered a bath brought up. Sinking into the warm water felt heavenly but before long the temperature turned tepid so Quinn climbed out and dried off before a robe was wrapped around her.
"We'll dress you in this lovely ice-pink gown since the cut is one that doesn't require stays," Mrs. Hamston offered.
"Perfect."
After much unsolicited primping, Quinn headed down for drinks in Lord Scarcliff's solar in a pink gown with an empire waist and long fitted sleeves, that discreetly hid all of her bruises. Thaddeus was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs and if he noticed that she was walking stiffly, he said nothing.
"I will try not to laugh tonight," he offered with a knowing grin.
"And I shall try to hold my tongue but it will be a challenge," Quinn returned.
When they entered the solar, Quinn was introduced to a woman who looked more like an elegantly dressed weasel. It wasn't really a surprise when she learned that the woman was Katherine's mother, Lady Gertrude Danvers. Her voice held a note of superiority and she was constantly looking down her nose at the others in the room. She barely acknowledged the newcomers as she continued on whatever rant she was reciting. Mr. Tilward handed Quinn a glass of wine and she couldn't help herself.
"You're going to need to keep these coming."
Thaddeus heard her instructions and almost spit out his sip of port.
Quinn surveyed the room and pondered how she could bring up the subject of Nickie's nurse. She turned toward Archer. He was a puzzle to her. At times he seemed almost curious about her and then, like now, he was quite the opposite, holding her in the same regard as he would a dust bunny or a cob web.
After two glasses of wine Quinn allowed herself to tune into the self-important Lady Danvers who was ranting about nonsense. Lady Danvers didn't seem to need any encouragement as she continued to monopolize the conversation and the only one who listened with rapt interest was her "ice princess" daughter.
"Children should be seen and not heard. They are such a trial to their parents. A necessary evil, I'm afraid," Lady Danvers offered with a sigh.
"And yet we were all children once," Quinn offered acidly but her censor went completely over the arrogant Lady Danvers who immediately turned to her daughter and started whispering.
Thankful for the lull in the conversation, Quinn looked over at Lord Scarcliff. He wasn't looking at her and, in fact, it looked as if he was looking at just about everything else in the roombuther. She addressed him and because he had impeccable manners, he was forced to turn his attention in her direction.
"Lord Scarcliff, I met your son this afternoon."
"An example of what I was just saying. That boy should be in boarding school. He has no manners at all," Lady Danvers offered indignantly.
Quinn couldn't help the eye roll before she turned her attention back on Archer. Maybe she was imagining it but there looked to be the slightest of grins on that sensual mouth and the unexpectedness of seeing that had Quinn staring. Suddenly, a flash of humor lit across Archer's face. She felt a bit lightheaded, reached for her glass and took a hearty swallow before she offered, "He's a charming little boy."
It was Katherine that sniffed at that announcement.
"Have you met Nickie, Miss Danvers?" Quinn asked a bit too sweetly.
"Nickie? His name is Nicholas -- and yes I've met him a few times and I found him very trying. He was constantly pulling at my skirts trying to get me to play with him. I mean how ridiculous, that's why he has a nurse after all. Children should be seen not heard, as Mother just said, and really not seen either as far as I'm concerned."
Quinn reached for her glass again and found it was empty, gestured to Mr. Tilward and a few seconds later her glass was once again full. No sooner did Quinn take a sip than the door to the solar crashed open and a little blur threw himself at her, spilling her wine all over her dress. She placed the glass down and wrapped her arms around Nickie's shaking shoulders.
"Nicholas!" the sound of his father's voice made Nickie take a few steps back in fear. Quinn looked at his face and she could see that he'd been crying.
"Apologize to Miss Shaughnessy this minute," Archer demanded.
His lower lip trembled before he managed, "Sorry."
Quinn's voice was very gentle when she addressed Nickie, "I'm fine. But why are you crying?"
"My nurse came home early," he whispered which immediately had Quinn looking over at Mr. Tilward who looked as angry as she felt.
"Did she touch you?" Quinn whispered.
"She heard about your fall from the maids so she disciplined me."
A moment later, the nurse, Miss Jenkins, appeared in the doorway all smiles and curtsies as she came to retrieve her charge. Quinn however didn't miss the calculated look of retribution that she shot Nickie. It was without thought that she stood up and put Nickie behind her back to shield him with her body before the nurse could grab him.
