Mistress - Amanda Quick [78]
Adam reluctantly returned his attention to his papers. “As to that, I’m afraid I discovered very little information of a useful nature. Miss Todd died some five years ago.”
“She’s dead?” Iphiginia sat forward abruptly. She was so intent on Adam’s announcement that she barely noticed the sound of a carriage in the street.
Adam glanced up from his notes with a quizzical frown. “She was nearly seventy. Did you know the lady?”
“No. No, I did not.” Iphiginia recovered her aplomb. “But an acquaintance of mine is under the impression that she is still very much alive. This news will certainly come as a surprise. Did you learn anything else?”
Adam looked at his notes. “Miss Todd died a spinster. She was born in a small village in Sussex and worked as a governess or companion most of her life.”
“A dead end,” Iphiginia murmured. “I told him so.”
Adam looked at her. “I beg your pardon?”
“It’s not important,” Iphiginia said. “Is that all of it?”
“Yes, other than the fact that she spent most of her career with the—”
A crisp knock on the library door interrupted Adam before he could complete his sentence.
Iphiginia glanced at the clock. One minute until three. She glanced out the window and saw the black phaeton that had halted in front of her door. Her pulse quickened. Anticipation heightened all of her senses.
This was madness, she thought. She could not allow Marcus to affect her so acutely. She struggled to infuse her voice with an appropriately unconcerned tone.
The library door opened. Mrs. Shaw appeared.
“Yes, Mrs. Shaw?” Iphiginia inquired.
“The Earl of Masters is here to see you, madam. Are you home?”
“Of course she’s home. Any idiot can see that.” Marcus strode into the library without waiting for the housekeeper to finish announcing him in a proper fashion. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Bright. Miss Farley.”
“My lord,” Iphiginia said very coolly. “You’re early.”
“By one minute. I trust you will forgive me.” Marcus walked toward the desk, took her hand, and brought it to his mouth. Amusement gleamed in his eyes, as though he was well aware of the chaotic condition of Iphiginia’s senses.
“Allow me to introduce my man of affairs, Mr. Manwaring,” Iphiginia said.
Marcus gave Adam a narrow look. “Manwaring.”
“Sir.” Adam rose politely. “I was just leaving.”
“Were you?” Marcus asked in an encouraging tone. “Do not allow me to delay you.”
Adam flushed.
Iphiginia scowled at the ill-concealed rudeness. “Mr. Manwaring has not quite finished his business, have you, Mr. Manwaring?”
Adam gathered up his notes. “As I said, there isn’t anything else to add, except that Miss Todd was associated with the Wycherley Agency throughout most of her professional career.”
“Damn,” Marcus said very quietly.
Iphiginia looked at him, surprised by his reaction. “Is something wrong, my lord?”
“No.” Marcus wandered over to the window. “Something just occurred to me, that’s all.”
Iphiginia turned back to Adam. “Thank you very much, Mr. Manwaring. You’ve been most helpful, as always. That will be all for today.”
Marcus spoke without turning around. “A moment, Manwaring.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Did you inquire after Miss Todd at the Wycherley Agency?”
“Yes, I did, as a matter of fact,” Adam said. “I spoke with Mrs. Wycherley herself yesterday. She has owned and operated the agency for over twenty years. She was the one who informed me that Miss Todd had died five years ago.”
“I see.”
Iphiginia glared at Marcus’s broad back. Adam was her man of affairs, not his. “Would you see Mr. Manwaring out, Amelia?”
Amelia rose quickly. “Yes, of course.”
Adam blushed. “It’s not necessary. I can see myself out, Miss Farley.”
“I shall be happy to escort you to the door, Mr. Manwaring,” Amelia said.
“If you insist.”
Iphiginia waited until the library door had closed behind the pair. Then she chuckled with satisfaction. “Those two were made for each other, you know.”
“Which two?”
“My cousin and Mr. Manwaring. I have every hope that they will soon realize