Read Online Fencing for Ladies (The Archer Family Regency Romances #5) by Amy Corwin - Free Book Online Page A

tea?”
    “Tea? Tea ? Surrounded by those brutes? I should say not, and I am sorry to say that your frivolous attitude does you no credit, Lady Olivia.” She swished her skirts away from Octavius’s inquisitive nose. “I am afraid I have another engagement. Good day, Lady Olivia.”
    “Good day. I hope I have not made you late.” Olivia stood and gestured to the dogs.
    For once, they obeyed her, and trotted calmly over to the fireplace. In a rare display of obedience, they sat in an orderly line in front of the hearth, wagging their tails in anticipation of another caller.
    After Mrs. Roberts left, the few other visitors she received only stayed long enough after meeting Olivia’s beagles to plead other appointments and beat hasty retreats.
    Olivia had never been so pleased to have her dogs nearby than she was that afternoon. Perhaps she ought to request their presence in the drawing room every day between one and three in the afternoon.
    Her relief increased when the clock on the mantel chimed and she realized she could finally stop receiving guests. She took the beagles for a brief and well-deserved walk outside and then retired upstairs to change for dinner.
    As their gloomy supper drew to a close, Edward carefully folded his serviette, placed it next to his plate, and said, “I propose we attend Harlequin and the Magic Rose at the Adelphi as we intended. What say you?”
    Margaret shook her head, her eyes fixed on her plate. She had scarcely eaten a bite.
    Olivia studied her with sympathy, wishing she’d sat close enough to give her sister’s hand a squeeze.
    “I will stay with Lady Margaret,” Olivia said. After all the curious visitors she’d received that afternoon, she had no wish to meet even more inquisitive acquaintances at the theater.
    Hildie and Peregrine, however, smiled, exchanged glances, and Hildie said, “Perry and I will come with you. I’m sick of this moldy old townhouse.”
    “Before you go, may I speak to you, Edward?” Olivia said.
    Her sisters eyed her curiously, but they didn’t comment as the two girls left together. Peregrine studied her, let out a long-suffering sigh, and exited as well, clearly exasperated by Olivia’s desire for privacy.
    When they were alone, Olivia faced Edward. Her hands knotted together as she studied him, trying to think of a way to explain how she happened to overhear his conversation in the library.
    “Well?” Edward prompted. “We must leave soon for the theater — can this not wait?”
    “No — I…” Olivia halted, took a deep breath, and then plunged on. “I fell asleep in the library, earlier — the other day. When I woke up, you were conversing with Mr. Underwood.”
    Edward’s chest expanded as he frowned at her. He was clearly unhappy about her admission.
    Before he could say anything, she held up one hand. “I did not intend to overhear anything, truly, but I did not want to embarrass Mr. Underwood, either. He sounded so upset and serious.” She leaned across the table to lay her hand on her brother’s forearm. “And I did not hear everything. I only heard him mention Mr. Grantham.”
    “And now you are wondering if he murdered him,” Edward said brutally.
    “Well, I just…” She winced at her words. She just what? Thought that the soft-spoken Mr. Underwood had lost his temper and killed Mr. Grantham?
    “Just what?” Edward’s eyes glinted with anger.
    She sat back, shrugged, and shook her head. Her fingers twisted together so tightly that her knuckles were white.
    “Do you truly believe Mr. Underwood would kill anyone?”
    “There is no need to be angry with me,” she said in a small voice. “I just thought if Mr. Underwood were desperate enough.… Well, it might have been an accident. And you should inform the coroner — at the inquest.”
    “I am well aware of my responsibilities, Lady Olivia,” Edward responded stiffly. “And if I believe my conversation with Mr. Underwood is relevant, I will notify the