Maggie MacKeever by Lord Fairchild's Daughter Read Free Book Online Page B

premises. I wish I knew what I had done to give the man such a decided dislike of me.”
    “Well, if that isn’t a Banbury tale!” Felicity picked herself up from the floor and gingerly inspected herself for damage. “You told me yourself that you were responsible for that horrid scar.”
    “But that was years ago! The man has a remarkable memory.” Theo smiled unpleasantly, and Felicity sat delicately on a nearby chair. Several retorts flashed through her mind, but she pressed her lips firmly together. Her incautious tongue had done enough damage for one day.
    Theo watched Felicity with satisfaction. He would never tell her so, but he had greatly enjoyed eavesdropping on her tryst. Vere’s hatred of his rival was heartily reciprocated, and things had not gone well for Theo recently; he’d had little enough amusement since Lord Fairchild had revealed himself to be an ungentlemanly cur. Theo’s patience had been sorely tried by the discovery that the Fairchild chit had disappeared; the additional knowledge that her father had prudently taken a leaf from his daughter’s book and had fled the country, taking with him various monies that rightly belonged to other people, including Theo, was enough to inspire just intimation.
    The irresponsible Lord Fairchild would be unlikely to reappear.  As for his daughter, Theo had little hope of claiming that prize. It was a pity; she looked to be a lively piece, and he’d made extensive plans for her. However, there was Felicity to console him, now that Vere had tired of her. Theo had little doubt that, with a little cunning, he could win Felicity’s allegiance, if not her greedy little heart. Nourishing few illusions about his love, Theo yawned again.
    Felicity remained uncharacteristically silent. She was busy with schemes for her immediate future, which seemed dim indeed now that Averil had withdrawn his patronage. Her creditors would dun her mercilessly.
    “A pretty bauble, this,” said Theo, with poorly disguised scorn, as he fingered Averil’s brooch. “A pity it won’t bring enough to keep you from debtors’ prison.”
    He dropped it carelessly onto the table, and Felicity winced.
    “It’s but a fit of pique,” she protested, with scant belief in her own words. “Vere will soon regret his hastiness.”
    “I doubt that. He’s long since tired of you, as everyone but yourself knows.”
    Felicity flushed, and bit her lip to keep back the angry words. She knew better than to rip up at Theo.
    He watched her with amusement. Felicity’s thoughts were written on her face for anyone to read. Anger was replaced by calculation, and then she burst into heartrending tears.
    “Ah, Theo,” she wailed, “I am desolated. Whatever shall I do?”
    “Vere is an abominable creature,” Theo agreed. “Who would have suspected that the noble Duke of Chesshire could behave so shabbily? It was quite a revelation to me, I assure you.”
    Felicity sniffled. “He is an unconscionable scoundrel to treat me so. I have been quite taken in! To think that the duke would behave so beggarly!”
    “As to that,” Theo replied, “you were ill-advised to involve yourself with so noted a profligate. Whatever prompted you to do so, by the bye? It is hardly to be wondered at if he offered you false coin.”
    “I have nourished a serpent in my bosom!” Felicity moaned.
    “Poor puss,” Theo sympathized. “You must feel quite mortified. Here you’ve engaged in a vulgar little quarrel with Vere, and consequently have no means to settle your debts.”
    Felicity regarded him with a watery but hopeful eye. “This has brought me to a standstill. I do not see how I am to make a recover. If I cannot put off my creditors, there’s nothing to do but to put a period to my existence!”
    “So you have said.  Pray spare me further dramatics.  Unless you wish me to also become bored.”
    “Theo!” Felicity quivered with indignation. “I think very poorly of your attitude. How can you not