Ask Me No Questions Read Online Free Page B

been introduced, young man. Mind your business!"
    'Jove, what a dragon!' thought Morris, and drew back, but there were tears on the boy's white face and his scared eyes pleaded. Wherefore, "By your leave, ma'am," he persevered bravely, "I am Lieutenant James Morris. I was presented to you at—"
    "You have
not
my leave! And I will tell you, because I am honest in all things, that did I know a gentleman cursed with freckles and sandy hair, I would assuredly remember him, since I despise both. At all events, I number no junior officers among my acquaintance, so—" Her ladyship checked, and her hard dark eyes narrowed. "Morris? Of the Cornwall Morrises?"
    "Lord Kenneth is my father's cousin, ma'am."
    "Which lends
you
little consequence," she observed with a sniff. "Indeed, one can but wonder that you've the gall to boast of such a distant connection." She brought her guns to bear upon the widow once more. "I shall charge you and your brat with assault upon my person, and destruction of my—"
    "Mr. Falcon asked me to—" began Morris in desperation.
    He had come upon the secret formula. My lady's tirade ceased, and she whipped around, a sugary smile affixed to her sharp features, and her eyes scanning the park eagerly. "Do you refer to my dear friend
August
Falcon? Where is he?"
    "He was obliged to leave, but desired that I do whatever I might to assist you and this lady. I—er, think his father is acquainted with hers."
    "Such a
kind
creature," purred Lady Buttershaw, and with an arch giggle that appalled Morris, enquired, "And did August charge you with a message for me?"
    "Only that I do what I might to mend matters between you and Mrs.— Oh, egad! My apologies, ma'am, but—I've forgot…" He looked hopefully at the widow.
    "I am Mrs. Thomas Allington," said Ruth, her voice trembling a little. Lady Buttershaw's basilisk gaze darted to her and she added defiantly, "Of Lingways, in Essex."
    My lady stared at her in silence, then said in a markedly less strident tone, "You may present Mrs. Allington, Lieutenant."
    Breathing an inward sigh of relief, Morris said, "Lady Clara Buttershaw—Mrs. Thomas Allington."
    Ruth also had detected a thaw. The encounter had left her already worn nerves even more strained, and the thought that this horrid woman might indeed bring charges against them was terrifying. She said, "I am indeed sorry if your gown was muddied, my lady, and—"
    "I think you are not blind, and can see that it is. And my reticule is quite ruined," grumbled Lady Clara, flourishing that article.
    There did indeed appear to be a tear beside the handle. "My companion is an excellent needlewoman, ma'am," said Ruth, spurred by a sight of the footman returning, with a burly man in uniform beside him. "An you permit that I have it repaired, 'twould be my pleasure to return it to you."
    "Handsomely said," remarked Morris, beaming. "All's well that—"
    Lady Clara's fan rapped upon his arm. "Be off with you, Lieutenant! And tell that rascal August Falcon that I expect him to call upon me within the week. Run along, now. We ladies can handle these little fusses very well without the aid of clumsy gentlemen, can we not, my dear?"
    'My
dear
...?' thought Ruth, dazed.
    'Alleluia!' thought Morris, and bowed himself away.
     
    The green saloon was very like its mistress, Ruth decided. Large, intimidating, and rather too busy. She had come to the luxurious neighbourhood lying east of Hyde Park with considerable reluctance, but had not dared send Grace to return the repaired reticule, guessing that Lady Buttershaw would be offended. My lady moved in the very circles in which an impecunious widow might be obliged to seek employment, and it would be the height of folly to further antagonize so powerful a member of the
ton
. The size and magnificence of the mansion had deepened her unease, however, and she'd cherished the hope that her ladyship would be from home this morning, so that she might leave the reticule and a note of apology,