A Matter of Circumstance and Celludrones by Claire Robyns Read Free Book Online Page A

his uncivilised Scottish blood. “You must apprise Halver
of the situation at once, William. Tell him all is well, that he must have been
mistaken about whatever he thought he’d heard or seen.”
    William had already turned to go before Evelyn remembered what Lord
Adair had been saying. “Oh, and William, you may as well bring Ana and Lady
Lily’s trunks. I’d say Lord Adair has exerted more than enough of himself for
one day.”
    The rascal was on his way out when Evelyn reached the drawing room.
“There’s no need to rush off,” she informed him. “I’ve sent my driver for Lady
Lily’s things.”
    “Unfortunately, I’ve other pressing matters to attend.” His apologetic
smile was somewhat off, and then he turned to Lily. “I’d like to stop by your
house anyway, if you have no objections?”
    Lily hesitated, a protest forming on her lips. But Evelyn must have
read her friend wrongly because a moment later Lily said, “I’m sure there’s no
reason to check up on anything, but I suppose it can do no harm.”
    After beckoning a hovering footman to see Lord Adair out, Evelyn
crossed to the sideboard. She poured a small sherry for Lily and a large brandy
for herself. “Your butler seems to think Lord Adair abducted you,” she threw
out.
    “Oh my word,” gasped Lily. “With everything that’s happened, I
completely forgot about poor Halver.”
    “He’s kept it hushed and William will set him straight.” She handed
Lily the glass of sherry and moved to the sofa. “I can hardly wait to hear
exactly what poor Halver did see.”
    Lily took a long sip before replying. “A mouse.”
    “A mouse,” Evelyn repeated flatly.
    “There was a mouse.” Lily perched on the far end of the sofa, not once
meeting Evelyn’s sceptical gaze. “I screamed and jumped into Lord Adair’s
arms.” Another extremely long sip. “Lord Adair carried me outside to get some
fresh air.”
    “And since you were already outside, you decided you may as well go
for an afternoon ride in Green Park.”
    “It was such a lovely, warm day?” Lily peered over the rim of her
glass with large, hopeful eyes.
    Evelyn blew out an exasperated breath. “You don’t honestly expect me
to believe this flottersnip ?”
    The doe-eyed look dissolved. “You’re Mistress Spontaneity. I thought
you, of all people, would understand.”
    “And I might, if you weren’t Mistress Propriety.”
    “We’ve been friends for so many years, you were bound to start rubbing
off on me.”
    Evelyn gave in gracefully. “Every lady is entitled to her secrets.”
    Whatever had happened, and she was convinced something had, Lily had
clearly forgiven Lord Adair if she was going to these ridiculous lengths to
spare his name.
    Evelyn sipped on her brandy as she mused on that.
    Had Lily developed a tendre for the Scotsman?
    The liquid burned a delicious path down her throat and her thoughts
turned wicked. And why not? She’d been trying to woo Lily over to the dark side
for weeks and here was an opportunity begging to be taken advantage of.
    “That smile usually means trouble.”
    “Not at all.” Evelyn’s smile widened. “I’m simply enjoying the
prospect of this new, impetuous you.”
    Lily nibbled on her lower lip. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
    “ Au contraire , we must go as far as possible and I know the
perfect place to start.” She drained her brandy and set the glass down on a
side table. “It’s decided. You’re joining William and me tomorrow.”
    “Absolutely not. You know how I deplore—”
    “You cannot have it both ways. Either I’m rubbing off on you or Lord
Adair has been involved in some or other reprehensible act and if that’s the
case, I won’t stop digging until I hit the bottom of his scandalous pit.”
    “You’re blackmailing me?”
    “I’m helping you embrace your new-found sense of adventure.”
    “A pea’s a pea, whatever name you call it, but it won’t work, Evie. I
know you haven’t a mean bone and here I