Free The Convenient Arrangement by Jo Ann Ferguson

the front foyer. Ten minutes, my boy. That should give you a chance to change, and you, Valeria, the opportunity to select another shawl.” She ran her fingers along the fringe on Valeria’s shawl. “This is boring. I liked the one you were wearing last night much better.”
    Lorenzo pushed back his chair and stood as Miss Urquhart and David went out of the room, chattering like two squirrels with a single nut. When Valeria turned to him, she said, “I’m sorry for this, Lorenzo.”
    â€œOther than the fact that you brought the boy here, this is hardly your fault.”
    â€œWhere would you have had me leave him?”
    He held up his hands and surprised her with a tired smile. “You are misunderstanding me. I don’t blame you for this. I suspect, if David were not here, Miss Urquhart would find different ways to make our lives interesting.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do with her?”
    â€œWith her?” His eyes grew as wide with boyish bafflement as David’s had.
    â€œIt isn’t a good practice to promise the household something in a will, when the will is worthless.”
    â€œI’m sure the staff here knows that.”
    â€œDavid doesn’t.”
    â€œThen you should explain that to him.” He threw the brown-spotted napkin on the table and stared down at his speckled waistcoat. “Mayhap he will explain to you why he felt compelled to begin the day this way.”
    â€œI need not ask him, for I know exactly how he feels about being compelled to start the day this way.” She tapped the cover of the book. “If children are ignored, they find ways to make sure you must pay attention to them.”
    â€œI was not ignoring the boy. I was reading a book with my breakfast as is my habit.”
    â€œAnd it’s David’s habit, if he believes he is being ignored or if he is suffused with ennui , to do something that will bring him attention.”
    â€œAn inexcusable habit.”
    â€œMore inexcusable than being a poor host to your guests?”
    â€œIs that how you see yourself? As my guests whom I must entertain endlessly?”
    She frowned. “Of course not! However, we have not been here long enough to be comfortable so that we can find ways to entertain ourselves.”
    â€œIf you will recall, Valeria, I have been here a shorter time than you.” He picked up his book, being careful to hold it away from his damp waistcoat. “I shall change and meet you in the foyer as Miss Urquhart ordered. I trust you can manage, during our wanderings around the manor house, to find something to entertain you and the boy, that does not require me to fear again for my clothes.”
    When he dipped his head toward her and walked toward the door, she called to his back, “David had the right idea.”
    â€œExcuse me?” he asked, turning.
    â€œDumping that coffee on you. It was, without question, the wrong thing to do, but it was the right idea. It’s most unfortunate that it failed, however.”
    â€œWhat failed?”
    â€œThat the sugar in your coffee could not sweeten your disposition. Mayhap next time, I shall suggest to him that he simply tip the sugar bowl over your head instead.” She pushed past him, leaving him gaping after her in amazement.
    Oh, how she had hoped it would be different this morning. She had hoped he would be different this morning, but Lorenzo Wolfe was as irritating as he had been last night. Somehow, she must find a way to provide for her and David without Lorenzo’s help, but how? She needed to ascertain an answer to that question … and soon before she dumped something over Lorenzo herself!

Five
    Lorenzo wiped the back of his neck and wondered how much farther this corridor ran along the hillside. The air was close, and the walls bedecked with cobwebs. He doubted if anyone, other than Miss Urquhart who seemed quite at home even here, had been along this passage