Free Martha Schroeder by Lady Megs Gamble Page B

would be there, and knew to a nicety what they would say and how they would say it. But tonight was more than an ordinary party! Tonight Meg was planning to astonish everyone and confound the gossiping Headleys by announcing her engagement. She felt a frisson of trepidation and wondered if she was doing the right thing, announcing her engagement before her solicitor arrived. Nonsense. This was going to be fun, confounding everyone! Anticipation gave her feet wings as she and Annis mounted the steps to the gleaming black front door.
    As they entered, she could see Gerald standing under the chandelier in the drawing room to the right of the center hall. That meant that the captain must be nearby. She looked around as Mrs. Headley bore down upon them.
    “Margaret,” she said effusively, “how lovely you look. I’ve always liked that dress. Is that a new sash you’re wearing with it?”
    Tact was not Mrs. Headley’s strong suit, Meg thought ruefully, as she forced a smile and said, “Yes, Annis insisted that yellow would be just the contrast needed. I’m so glad you like it. She has exquisite taste, hasn’t she?” It had not escaped Meg’s notice that Annis’s presence had been ignored.
    “Yes, so she does. Good evening, Miss Fairchild. You must excuse me.” Mrs. Headley turned away then said in an under-voice, “Margaret, I must speak to you on a subject of grave importance.”
    “Good heavens, ma’am, whatever can that be? Do not tell me that Sunshine has strayed onto your land again? She is an adventurous one for a cow. I do not know what to do to keep her at home!”
    “No, no, of course it has nothing to do with one of your cows, Margaret. Please, do pay attention. This is important. Meet me in the library in a quarter of an hour, and I shall tell you something that you must know.” Mrs. Headley frowned and looked as serious as if she had some state secret to impart.
    “Very well, ma’am,” said Meg, with no intention of keeping that appointment. This evening was meant for joyous surprises. An interview with Mrs. Headley was not likely to be either joyous or surprising, so she would contrive not to have one.
    How simple life was, she thought, if you arranged it properly.
    “Meg, my dear,” Lady Mattingly said as she came up to greet the ladies from Hedgemere, “how lovely you look. And you, Miss Fairchild. That is a lovely shawl. Did you make it yourself? Or was it a gift?”
    Lady Mattingly was at it again. Meg smothered a grin and moved aside, the better to search for the captain, as Annis said quietly, “It was a present from Lady Margaret, my lady.”
    “She has always been such a generous girl.”
    “Yes. As you know, I have more reason than most to be aware of that.” Annis’s cheeks turned a lovely shade of rose.
    Lady Mattingly noticed. “My dear, I had no intention of embarrassing you. You have done quite as much for Meg as she has for you. Think what her life would have been like if her governess had been unkind or overbearing. You’ve been a godsend to her from the moment you arrived.”
    The color in Annis’s cheeks grew more vivid. Her work, and indeed her pleasure, had been to see Meg grow up to be a fine young woman. And now to be noticed and praised for her part in Meg’s life, and in such a kind way, almost overset her. Particularly after Mrs. Headley had made her feel like a grasping hussy.
    “Thank you so much for telling me that,” Annis murmured, her voice a little unsteady, “I shan’t make a cake of myself, but I very much needed to hear that tonight.”
    Lady Mattingly gave her a kindly smile. “I can imagine. Mrs. Headley was mentioning your name to several of her cronies when we arrived. She treated Captain Sheridan to a very piercing look as well. Gerald has given me orders that I am not to question you or Meg or the captain about—about anything.” And Lady Mattingly raised her hands and chuckled. “So, you may sit by me and talk anytime you feel the need