Callander Square - Anne Perry [75]
“I think it was a shock to everyone,” Mariah answered. “At least a surprise. I certainly had no idea.”
“Did you not know at least that she had another admirer?” Emily raised her eyebrows at the mystery.
“To tell the truth, I am too busy with my family to have been more than slightly acquainted with Miss Doran; or indeed with most of the families in the square, except for Adelina Southeron, of course, because of her children.”
That seemed to close the subject; but Emily was not yet prepared to give up.
“I’m sure if she puts her mind to it, that Christina will make him very content.”
“Content?” Mariah’s voice showed her understanding, and pity, for such a lukewarm emotion.
But Emily meant what she had said.
“I think so. I think that is all that another person can do for one. I think happiness is something one must achieve for oneself. Do you not?”
Mariah looked at her carefully, but before she could frame a reply, the door opened and Garson Campbell came in. Emily had seen him only once before, and did not care for him greatly.
Apparently he had remembered her.
“Good afternoon, Lady Ashworth,” he said. He did not speak to Mariah.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Campbell.” Emily profoundly hoped Mariah would not repeat to him the fiction she had invented to explain her visit. “I trust you are well?”
“Well enough,” he answered. “How courteous of you to call.”
“We were about to have tea,” Mariah said quietly. “Do you care to join us?”
“I don’t think so,” his mouth turned down slightly at the corners. “I doubt I would contribute to your gossip. I prefer something a little more political.”
“Than what?” Emily said instantly, before thinking that it might not be in her interest to irritate him.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You prefer something more political than what, Mr. Campbell?”
“I take your point, Lady Ashworth. I have no idea what you were discussing. I was presuming on past experience. I never yet met a woman of good character who had any political sense; only the whores seem to have that kind of acumen.”
“Indeed?” Emily raised her eyebrows as high as she could and invested her voice with a trace of humor. “I’ve never discussed politics with a whore. But I do know Mr. Balfour slightly.”
“I apologize, Lady Ashworth,” he said with a dry smile. “Were you discussing politics when I interrupted you?”
“Not at all. We were discussing Mr. Ross, and who might have been Helena Doran’s mysterious admirer.” She watched his face. Men sometimes confided in each other. It was conceivable he might know. His skin darkened, and tightened for a moment across his temples. She felt a thrill of victory. He knew something!
“It is most courteous of you to offer tea,” she stood up, “but I fear I called uninvited, and I would be most distressed to have put you to inconvenience. It has been a great pleasure to have further made your acquaintance, Mrs. Campbell. I hope we shall meet again.” Now she wished to be out of this room, away from Garson Campbell before he read too much of her intent. He was a man with whom she did not wish to match wits.
Mariah did not appear surprised.
“I shall look forward to it,” she said, reaching at the same time for the bell. “So generous of you to call. I’m sorry I was unable to advise you regarding Scotland.”
“Oh, pray don’t concern yourself,” Emily was already making for the door where she could hear the parlormaid in the hall. “I doubt we shall go anyway, especially if this dismal weather continues.”
“It will continue, Lady Ashworth,” Campbell said from the center of the room. “It always does, from January right through until March, invariably. I have never known it to do otherwise. And the only difference you will find in Scotland is that it will be worse.”
“Then I shall definitely not go,” Emily said, almost backing into the maid. “Thank you for your counsel.” She left him smiling a little contemptuously at her foolishness, and made her escape into