A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London #1)(43)
Nicholas hesitated. “I don’t like making the girl think I have an interest in her when I don’t. It goes against my grain.”
“You are a very honorable man, Nicholas, but there is too much at stake here. It appears someone is trying to find out Wellington’s exact whereabouts so they can kill him and turn the tide of this war. We need to find out what they know and how they are getting their information. We need answers.”
Nicholas had a strong aversion to leading a young lady to assume he felt more for her than he actually did. But it seemed insignificant when compared to the outcome of the war. After all, he had a greater duty to his country.
Which is how he ended up walking toward the Wilhern house, wondering how to show enough interest to get invited to their home without giving Phoebe the idea he might want to marry her. Especially since he actually preferred her cousin Miss Grey’s company and conversation—much preferred.
He also had an idea that he might be able to find out more information from Miss Grey. At present, she might not be feeling terribly loyal to her uncle.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Miss Appleby accompanied Julia on her usual Tuesday visit to the Bartholdys, which was cut short due to Monsieur Bartholdy feeling unwell. All the way down Bishopsgate Street, her darting eyes betrayed her, as she couldn’t help searching the street ahead for Mr. Langdon. When she did not see him, she wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
She arrived back at the town house and found Phoebe and Mrs. Wilhern entertaining Leorah Langdon in the drawing room.
“Julia! How good to see you!” Leorah jumped from her seat and clasped her hand.
Over Leorah’s shoulder, Julia caught a glimpse of her aunt’s scowl. Her aunt normally didn’t leave her room until after noon and therefore didn’t know Julia went out every Tuesday to visit her old tutor. Would she ask her where she’d gone?
Julia quickly sat down, wishing she knew how to downplay Leorah’s enthusiasm at seeing her. “It is a lovely day for a walk,” Julia said to fill the silence.
“Oh?” Mrs. Wilhern said. “Where did you walk to, Julia?”
Julia fidgeted with her gloves. “I walked to—to call on friends.”
Phoebe, who knew of her secret visits to the Bartholdys, interjected, “Julia is a great walker, and she and Miss Appleby love to visit friends together, especially in the mornings, don’t you, Julia?”
“Oh, nothing out of the ordinary—”
“So you visited Felicity Mayson,” Mrs. Wilhern said, the scowl never leaving her face. “How is her mother? I heard she was not feeling well.”
“Oh, I didn’t visit Felicity today, although you are right, Aunt. I do often visit her, and sometimes she accompanies me on visits.” She picked at a loose string on her skirt. Julia felt her face turning red at her aunt’s scrutiny. Finally, she decided it was better to voluntarily tell the truth. “Miss Appleby and I have been to visit Monsieur and Madame Bartholdy.”
Mrs. Wilhern’s upper lip curled. “Why in heaven’s name? The Bartholdys, indeed.”
Her scornful tone made Julia’s spine stiffen.
“I hope you do not make it a habit of walking in such a neighborhood. It won’t reflect well on your character if you are attacked or molested in such a street as theirs.”
My character? Julia felt an argument rising inside her breast, but she quelled it and replied, “Yes, Aunt Wilhern.” She hoped her aunt didn’t ask if the coachman had driven her there. She didn’t want to get him in trouble.
Phoebe began asking Leorah about her family, no doubt working the conversation around to her brother, and Julia sighed in relief at the change in topic. As soon as Leorah left, she hoped to run up to her room with the excuse of changing her clothes before her aunt asked her any more questions.
Phoebe was expressing a desire for Leorah to come for a visit to their country house in Warwickshire when the Season was over in a few weeks. As the Langdons’ home was in Lincolnshire, Leorah said it was possible she could come for a short stay. Phoebe’s entire face lighted up with excitement. Of course, Julia knew Phoebe was thinking of having her father invite Leorah’s brother to come with her.
Phoebe and her single-minded pursuit of Lieutenant Nicholas Langdon.
When Leorah rose to take her leave a few minutes later, Julia regretted she had been too nervous to enjoy her visit. As Julia squeezed Leorah’s fingers in farewell, her friend said, “Do come and call on me. We are but a short walk from here.”
The invitation had been given to Julia and appeared not to include Phoebe. Of course, Leorah meant nothing uncivil, only that Julia was more her friend than Phoebe. Julia was quick to say, “Of course, Phoebe and I will come, very soon. You may depend upon it.”
But before Leorah could make a move toward the door, Nicholas Langdon was announced. He entered the room.
Leorah eyed her brother with a mixture of surprise and suspicion. Phoebe’s pale cheeks turned pink as she seemed to be standing on her toes, and Aunt Wilhern rallied to sit up straight.
Nicholas bowed and smiled at everyone around the room in turn. “My sister was not leaving, I hope.”
“I was,” Leorah admitted, “but I can stay a bit longer, and then you can escort me home.”
They all sat down again and began to talk of the weather, the subject that always seemed safest when one is nervous. After a few moments, they spoke of politics, another rather safe topic amongst fellow Tories.