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She touched the reticule hanging from her wrist, sheets of paper crinkling under the folds of fabric.
She hadn’t needed to bring them. She’d told Somersworth…Ethan… that she’d not show him. And she had the items on the paper memorized.
But somehow, she wanted to have them with her. She ignored her heart pounding with anticipation. It wasn’t about seeing him…it was excitement over what might happen today.
The invitation to tea had arrived from Lady Smith—Abigail. Very friendly and with a kind smile, Abigail was a woman Natalie welcomed the potential for friendship with. But even that had paled at the idea that this was a secret message from Ethan to begin their ill deeds.
The more she’d thought on their bargain, the more excited she became. She’d give him some legitimate front he needed for his uncle, something she ought to be good at.
And he’d show her—a smile tugged at her lips—how to be bad. A little.
The carriage stopped in front of Upton Falls and the footman opened the door, helping her down. The front door opened, Abby appearing at top of the front steps. The stunning blonde gave her a wave as Natalie made her way up the steps. “Hello,” the other woman called. “So good to see you.”
“You too,” Natalie answered, glancing about but not seeing Ethan anywhere. She attempted to ignore the niggle of disappointment. She’d hoped…
Abby reached for her hand. “Come. It’s cold out here and the tea is ready.”
Natalie’s lips parted in surprise. She really had come for tea. “How kind.” But her shoulders slumped as the door closed behind her. She’d been hoping for something far more interesting.
Abby linked her arm in Natalie’s. “I received a letter from Triston and Emma.”
“Emma?” Natalie snapped up straight once again. “What did she say?”
“They’re back from the trip and settling in to their townhouse. They sound…happy.”
Natalie smiled, but it was tinged with a bit of sadness. Would she ever have a chance like that? “As happy as you and Lord Smith?”
Abby’s smile grew so wide, it practically split her face. “That would be difficult. My husband is so…”
Natalie held her breath as she waited for the woman’s next words. “So what?”
“Wonderful,” Abby said on a rush of air. “Did I ever tell you that he saved me from my terrible guardian?”
Natalie gasped. That was the sort of story that might make a girl swoon. “Did he really? How exciting!”
They entered the sitting room and took a seat opposite one another, and Abby poured tea. “He did. It was all very dashing.”
Was it possible for her as well? Could she meet a man who’d help her escape her mother’s plots?
It certainly wasn’t Ethan. He was wonderfully handsome…but somehow, making deals to get out of responsibility seemed far more his suit than rescuing women from dastardly guardians. “You must tell me more.”
“Please don’t,” a masculine voice said from the door. Her head snapped up and her gaze caught that of Ethan’s. “I shall never compare.” He held a hand over his heart, looking up at the ceiling.
“Now, that is the truth.” Lord Smith said from behind Ethan. The two men entered, Lord Smith sitting next to his wife, and Ethan taking the seat next to Natalie. Both men had damp hair, their clothes fresh.
“How was the exercise?” Abby asked, pouring them tea.
“Excellent,” Lord Smith answered. “We’ll send Lord Somersworth back to London in top shape.”
“That’s not the point of my visit,” Ethan rumbled. “I’m here for you, remember?”
Natalie turned to him, wondering what that comment meant. “What does Lord Smith need your assistance with?” Was she wrong about Ethan?
Ethan grimaced, a look she didn’t see on him very often.
But Lord Smith just waved his hand. “Since you know Triston, you know how…intense the Smiths can be.”
She did. Triston had frightened her when they’d first met.
