Kissing Cousins Read Free Page B

constitutes a good time do appear to be at odds. I could not have introduced you to lightskirts, to be sure. But there is no point crying over spilled milk. What have you done about Darren ’ s situation? Of course you ’ ve hired a lawyer. ”
    “ I never thought of that, ” she said, blinking her big blue eyes in surprise. “ We never had anything to do with the law before, you see, except to bail out our coachman when he was drunk as a Dane and drove into the Shaws ’ back porch, which is why we came to you. Whom would you recommend, Cousin? ” she asked in a frightened voice that he felt suitable to the occasion.
    “ I ’ ll send a note offto my man, Withers. ”
    As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he began to have second thoughts. To be taking the case to court was as good as announcing it in the journals. There might still be some way to wrap up the dirty linen. Sir Geoffrey might be induced to drop the case if the thousand pounds were returned, and perhaps some small political perquisite thrown in to ensure his silence.
    “ Would you mind speaking to him for me? ” she asked. “ I feel my best chance of finding Darren is Brighton. I am eager to be off. ”
    “ Why Brighton? ” he asked in trepidation. The half of polite London would be flocking to Brighton as soon as the Season closed.
    “ Because Wanda had a bathing costume made up."
    Salverton waited for the significance of this. “ Yes? ”
    “ She would have no need of that in London, so I am sure she went to Brighton, and I have a fair idea where she is staying. Sir Geoffrey used to take her to a cottage he owns there, just outside of town. To visit his mama, she said. She had a key to the cottage. ”
    “ Trespassing on top of all the rest! ”
    “ Or they might be at a hotel. Miss Donaldson thinks so, but I am not so sure Wanda would waste the blunt. She is pretty tight-fisted when it is her own money. Or, in this case, Sir Geoffrey ’ s. I paid for everything when I was out with her a few times without Darren. It was only two ices and the fare for a hackney cab, but she never opened her purse. You would think it was welded shut, ” she said with an air of grievance.
    Salverton listened with a frown pleating his brow. “ By all means, go to Brighton. Find Darren and drag him back to town. Meanwhile, I shall have a word with Withers. ”
    “ The problem is, ” she said, “ we gave Darren all our money. If you could lend me a few guineas to take the coach, naturally I shall repay you. ”
    “ The coach! You can ’ t travel on the coach. Take your carriage. ”
    “ Darren took it as well, ” she said, and shrugged her shoulders.
    “ Good God! Is there no end to his folly, leaving you and Miss Donaldson stranded, penniless, away from home. I ’ ll lend you some money. Be sure you take a couple of footmen with you. ”
    Samantha uttered a weary sigh. “ We dispatched them this morning. We were to go home today, you see. ”
    “ I ’ ll send a few of my men with you and Miss Donaldson. ”
    “ Auntie won ’ t be coming. Someone must stay here in case Darren shows up. ”
    Salverton sat, shaking his head in disbelief. It was becoming increasingly clear that the whole bunch of them were not only green as grass, but mad as well. The chit couldn ’ t go alone, and he had no wish to drag any of his other female relatives into the business. He trembled to think what new folly his cousin would stumble into if he let the girl go scrambling off to Brighton alone in a public conveyance in that garish bonnet. There was nothing else to do. He would have to go with her and make sure the matter was contained within the family.
    It would mean missing Louise ’ s dinner party, but he had cautioned her he would have to leave early, so he could say an emergency meeting had been called. Salverton considered himself an honest man, but even his strict code found room for a social lie. It would spare Louise worry. He would be home to take her