Free My Lady Governess (Zebra Regency Romance) by Wilma Counts

said quietly to his sister-in-law.
    “Well ...” Gabrielle responded, her tone clearly suggesting that she had done precisely that. She had caught the attention of the other guests.
    “Truly, I do not mind,” Elinor said softly, her tone belying the two spots of color on her cheeks. “I shall just be a moment.”
    Adrian gave Elinor a look that seemed to express gratitude at her avoiding a scene, but the look he gave the marchioness was a good deal less than amiable.
    Elinor fumed as she made her way to the marchioness’s chamber and secured the shawl from her ladyship’s maid. How dare the woman treat her as a common servant! Never in her entire life had Lady Elinor Richards suffered such a public set-down. Ah, but Miss Palmer undoubtedly has, she told herself. Perhaps it is just as well to be reminded of your position in this household. She paused to take a deep breath before reentering the drawing room.
    As she unobtrusively handed the Frenchwoman the shawl, there occurred one of those simultaneous gaps in several conversations that occasionally happen at such gatherings. Suddenly the gossip Lady Vincent was relaying to the ever-receptive Gabrielle commanded everyone’s attention. And chilled Elinor’s blood.
    “I tell you, my dear, the girl seems to have just disappeared. Though ‘girl’ is hardly the term, I think. She has been on the shelf for three or four years already.”
    “It is not true then that she joined her godmother in Italy?” Gabrielle asked.
    “That is the story her uncle is still giving out, but my cousin Arabella says it cannot possibly be true. The godmother,” here Lady Vincent’s voice became a stage whisper, “is with Princess Caroline and Arabella’s sister is there, too, and she writes nothing of this Richards chit being there.”
    “But why would her uncle put such a story about if it were not true?” Gabrielle asked ingenuously.
    “Why, indeed?” Lady Vincent’s tone was knowing. “ ’Tis not unknown for females in an ‘interesting condition’ to suddenly be traveling abroad, now is it? And, of course, now that the war is over, it is much easier to put that story about. But this case is strange because the uncle truly does not seem to know where that girl is.”
    “Oh, dear, you do not mean to say . . .” Gabrielle seemed suddenly to realize the conversation was taking a rather indelicate turn for mixed company. “Well, perhaps she will turn up with a perfectly innocent explanation.”
    At that comment, Elinor felt a surge of charity for the marchioness that warred with her previous vexation.
    “Perhaps.” Lady Vincent’s tone was disbelieving. “But why is her uncle still looking for her on the sly? I tell you, there is something havey-cavey about it all.”
    Olmstead had been standing nearby with Trenville and the baronet. Something in Elinor’s demeanor must have attracted the captain’s attention. He moved so that his group now included the ladies.
    “Are you acquainted with the Richards woman, Miss Palmer?” he asked. When she turned startled eyes to him, he continued, “You appeared to recognize the name.”
    Suddenly, everyone seemed to be looking at her. A frisson of fear snaked through her. She said a silent prayer. Please help me through this! Without conscious volition, she looked toward Trenville. He returned her gaze with interest.
    “Uh ... no. I believe she is the daughter or sister of some earl. Mr. Huntington mentioned this story to us when he arrived.” She was surprised at how perfectly normal her voice sounded and how easily the lie slid off her tongue.
    “The Earl of Ostwick,” Lady Vincent interjected, her tone condescending. “She is his sister. He is a mere schoolboy and Arabella writes that he says he knows nothing of her whereabouts, but his uncle does not believe him.”
    “Arabella seems remarkably well informed,” Elinor said, hoping her mild tone concealed her contempt for the gossipy correspondent.
    “Arabella is Lady