The Convenient Arrangement Read Online Free Page B

the two chairs so they faced the fire, he said, “Please sit.”
    She hesitated, then nodded. “Very well, but only this once.”
    A chilly prescience filtered through him, but he could not pounce on each word she spoke. She was quite distraught, and he must treat her with extraordinary gentleness until her nephew was found. He did hope it would be quite soon. He had not realized how exhausted he was from the trip to Moorsea Manor until they chanced upon that bed. He could use a long nap and a longer night’s sleep.
    â€œLady Fanning—”
    â€œI would as lief you call me Valeria.”
    Lorenzo wanted to ask her why she offered that familiarity when she had accused him, but moments ago, of heinous motives. When he noted how wan she appeared in the candlelight, he silenced the question and said, “As you wish, Valeria.”
    â€œThank you … Lorenzo.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I would like to say—”
    â€œSo here you are.” Another feminine voice, this one not as melodic as Valeria’s, came from near the door.
    Lorenzo stared at the woman entering the room. The lamp she carried lit her face, making it a macabre mask. As she walked closer, he saw that she was not young. Her face, which once might have been lovely, now resembled the crags on the sea cliffs beyond Wolfe Abbey, worn by time and falling from its former glory. Her gown, even though made of fine fabric, was worn thin and of a style last popular almost thirty years before.
    He glanced at Valeria, but she shrugged. For the first time, he wondered how long Valeria had been at the house before he arrived. She seemed as unfamiliar with it as he was.
    â€œYou must be the boy,” the old woman said as she strode toward them. A cane was hooked over her wrist, but she did not use it.
    â€œThe boy we are seeking is—”
    She interrupted Lorenzo, “Not the youngster, the boy.”
    Although he was not quite certain what she meant, he decided to fall back on formality. It might serve him until he could figure out even one of the peculiar denizens of this manor house. “Lorenzo Wolfe, madam.” When she held out her hand, freeing it from the heavy lace edging of her sleeve, he bowed over it. “A pleasure.”
    â€œPretty manners. Not that I would expect less from Francis’s nephew. I must say that I am glad you are finally here to take care of all of us in this house. The house needs its master.” She rested her hand on the back of Valeria’s chair and peered at Valeria who drew back from her. “Your wife?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYour convenient?”
    â€œNo!” gasped Valeria before he could reply.
    He clasped his hands behind his back and smiled coolly at Valeria who had the decency to look embarrassed by her outburst. At least, she shared one opinion with him. The sooner their lives separated again, the better it would be for all concerned.
    The old woman chuckled, the sound oddly lyrical when it came out of that ruined face. “Be careful how you speak, young lady. Such fervor often reveals more than one would hope.”
    â€œThis is Lady Fanning,” Lorenzo said quietly. “She and I have just met. She is a guest at this hour at Moorsea Manor.” He glanced away from the sudden consternation on Valeria’s face as she glanced up at him. One problem at a time, and right now this old woman seemed to be the more pressing one. “And you are?”
    â€œNina Urquhart.” She gave him a wicked grin and poked him in the belly with the cane. “I see your curiosity, my boy, so I will tell you that the late lord was my dear, dear friend.”
    Valeria pressed her lips together to keep from smiling as Lorenzo stared in dismay at the old woman. Lorenzo looked like a country parson confronting the devil, shocked, horrified, and yet somehow fascinated by the whole. If David were not missing and if the