Read Online Martha Schroeder by Lady Megs Gamble - Free Book Online Page B

sure if it was proper for Miss Fairchild, who, after all, was only a paid employee, to act as if she were the Headleys’ social equal.
    James, however, scented freedom and said briskly that he would ride out and look for Lady Margaret, as he had some questions of estate management to put to her. Annis’s eyes twinkled at him. He could tell she knew perfectly well that he was fleeing the scene. She pointedly told him that Meg was expected back for luncheon in a very few minutes. Checkmate.
    As if on cue, Lady Meg entered the drawing room with a brisk, no-nonsense stride. She checked immediately upon catching sight of her almost betrothed. For some reason he appeared especially vital and attractive as he stood tall and straight, with the sun gilding his dark blond hair.
    Smiling a little shyly, she held his gaze and said, “James, how nice to see you. Can you stay and take luncheon with us?”
    James glanced at his side at the same moment Meg heard a sharply indrawn breath. With sudden dread, she looked over to see not only Mrs. Headley but her two silly daughters—and all of them staring at her as if she had suddenly turned green.
    Nothing to do now but plow ahead. “And Mrs. Headley. What a nice surprise! How fortunate that I returned for luncheon. Usually, you know, I take sandwiches in my pocket and eat wherever I happen to be.”
    She saw Mrs. Headley frown and remembered that to the older woman, Meg’s acting as estate manager was on the borderline of hoydenish behavior.
    She tried again. “And Sukie and Mellie. How you both have grown.”
    Sukie and Mellie frowned. Too late, Meg noticed that they were each a stone heavier than the last time she had seen them. Oh, dear. Why had she never paid attention to Annis’s strictures on thinking before you spoke? She cast a helpless smile in her companion’s direction and excused herself to wash her hands.
    Annis took over, as Meg had known she would. “I’ll just see when luncheon will be ready. I do hope I can tell Meadows that you are all staying?” Annis’s quiet voice and gentle smile never failed to soothe.
    Mrs. Headley picked up her reticule and gestured to her daughters, “No, no thank you, Miss Fairchild. I had no idea it was so late. We must be on our way. The girls and I just came to ask you and Lady Margaret to come to a little dance and supper that we are giving on Saturday. Captain Sheridan has already accepted,” she added, simpering.
    “I—I’m sure we would love to come. Of course, I will have to ask Lady Margaret what her plans are.” Annis took one look at Mrs. Headley’s face and realized that the news that Lady Meg had seemed suspiciously happy to see Captain Sheridan and— most significantly—had called him by his first name, would be served up with the refreshments wherever the Headleys went. Calling the captain by his given name had been a terrible mistake. Was there not something Annis could do to head off die gossip Meg hated so much?
    Uncharacteristically, Annis acted on impulse. She went over to the captain and took his arm with a proprietary air. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Mrs. Headley’s eyebrows ascend to meet her hairline. Already she was rethinking her story. For good measure, Annis smiled up at James, who was looking down at her in watchful silence. She could tell he knew she was up to something, and was willing to wait until he understood her plan, thank heavens.
    “I’m sure Lady Margaret will not deny me the pleasure of coming to your dance even if she cannot be there,” Annis said, smiling even more blindingly at James and incurring an even more disapproving stare from Mrs. Headley.
    James said nothing, but he couldn’t resist a small smile. Annis had successfully blunted the Headley woman’s attack by drawing the fire to herself. There was nothing he admired more than gallantry toward a comrade, and he smiled approvingly down at Annis.
    “Well!” Mrs. Headley shimmered with outrage. “I will