Part 24 (1/2)

”Have you dined yet, Sir Thomas?” he asked. White's was becoming crowded and he feared that some of his other friends might have heard the same gossip Garvey had and require him to confirm or' deny it.

”No, I haven't,” Sir Thomas replied.

”I've engaged an excellent cook at Sea brooke House. What do you say to joining me?” If Sir Thomas had to learn of Christabel's existence, Gavin preferred to acquaint him with the facts himself, privately. If Chesterton were thoroughly appalled, there might still be time to retract the betrothal announcement before it appeared in the papers on the morrow.

THOUGH SHE HAD done her best to rea.s.sure Miss Milliken, Frederica felt far from confident that she would be able to find a solution to the muddle she had created. So many new problems had arisen since she had finally rejected her plan of proving Lord Sea brooke a rogue. Now she had to resolve the question of Christabel's legitimacy, the mystery of the Sea brooke fortune, and, most of all, the riddle of the Carol's feelings towards herself--and towards his betrothal. She had no more wish to force him into a loveless match than she had to be forced into one herself. It was imperative that she discover his wishes on the matter.

These thoughts served to while away the hackney ride back to Sea brooke House, but once there she felt no closer to a plan of action. Christabel was happy to see her, exclaiming over the hair ri bands she had brought back as a gift and demanding to try them on at once. Frederica willingly complied, submerging all thoughts of her absurd situation in the soothing familiarity of the nursery and her routine here. Once Christabel was settled for the night, however, the thoughts came surging back and she made a sudden decision.

She would never advance the resolution of any of her problems if she spent all her time hidden away in the nursery. It was time she moved forward on all fronts, and the only way to do that was to confront Lord Sea brooke face to face. They had not consulted over their separate investigations since Sat.u.r.day evening; surely he would not think it odd if she were to come to the library again after dinner to ask what progress had been made.

Sternly refusing to acknowledge the trembling in her stomach, Frederica tidied her wig, touched up her freckles, straightened her gla.s.ses and went downstairs.

On the first-floor landing, she paused. Were there voices coming from the dining-room? It had not occurred to her that the earl might have company.

He frequently dined out, but she could not recall him inviting anyone to the house for dinner since she had been here. Perhaps he was merely speaking to the footman, Jeffries, who had taken over Mr. Coombes's duties until another butler could be hired.

Frederica decided to wait in the library. If Lord Sea brooke did have guests, they would doubtless go to the par lout after dinner and she could simply return to the nursery. And if they did by chance come to the library, she could pretend to be looking for a book. Accordingly, when she heard the dining-room doors open, she positioned herself near one of the shelves, pretending to scan the t.i.tles. Yes, there was another male voice besides the earl's, and it was certainly not Jeffries's. In fact, it sounded remarkably like. To Frederica's horror, the handle of the library door began to turn.

In desperation, she dived behind a large chair in the corner, one that was seldom used, and crouched there, holding her breath. Lord Sea brooke and his guest entered the library and seated themselves near the fire on the opposite side of the room. Peering cautiously around the edge of her chair, Fred]-63 erica was relieved to see that both men had their backs to her. Even so, there was no mistaking that handsome blond profile when the Carol's guest turned to speak.

It was Thomas!

Of all the people in England, why did he have to invite my brother to dinner?

Frederica wondered frantically. And what am I to do now? Of course, all she could do was remain hidden.

Revealing herself now was completely out of the question, for there was no knowing what Thomas might do or say were he to recognize her. As her heart slowed its fevered pounding, thought became possible again and the answer to her first question also came clear. Thomas was doubtless here to discuss her betrothal. What could be more natural than for him to call on his future brother-in-law upon his return to London?

At that thought, some of her original resentment at his insolent handling of her future returned.

Could he not at least have waited until he heard from her before coming to Town to solidify his plans? The letter she has posted that afternoon would not reach him now, of course. She would have to discover his lodgings and write to him there. Her courage bolstered by irritation, she began to listen to their conversation, which they had apparently begun during dinner.

”In fact,” Thomas was saying,

”I'm beginning to think losing that twelve thousand pounds to you was the best thing I could have done. Otherwise Freddie might well have remained unwed to her dying day.”

”And you don't foresee any problems when she hears about the child?”

asked the earl.

Frederiea's mind barely registered the fact that Lord Sea brooke had revealed Christabel's exists-rice to her brother. Her whole attention was focussed instead on what Thomas had just said.

Did that mean that her betrothal had been the result of a wager? Her face burned at the thought.

”No, no,” Thomas answered expansively, making Frederica suspect that he had been drinking rather heavily.

”Freddie loves children. Besides, five years is a long” -- He was interrupted by a tap at the library door.

The earl rose to open it, and Frederica heard the footman say,