Page 62 of A Lady’s Guide to Mystery and Mischief

A voice cut into their exchange. “Who is being accompanied?”

Farah turned to her aunt with a huff. “Mr. Montgomery intends to accompany me to Painswick.”

Dalia’s mouth stretched into a wide grin. “A fine idea.”

“It’s not a fine idea.” Farah folded her arms across her chest in indignation. “If anything, it would be even more improper than my traveling alone.”

Dalia shrugged. “It’s quite lucky I’ve never been bothered with propriety, then.”

“You could be,” Farah told her.

“I don’t think there’s anything to worry about,” Dalia said, ignoring her. “Mr. Montgomery is my solicitor, so I can trust it will all be very proper and boring.”

“He’s never been your solicitor!” Farah burst out.

Grey watched with mild interest, wondering at Farah’s resistance. If she was worried he would force her to have a difficult conversation about all that had occurred between them—a conversation about Godforsaken feelings—she needn’t have been. He didn’t mean to pressure her into dissecting the subject, not as long as he remained unsure of what it was she even wanted. If she chose avoidance, then—well, that would be its own kind of answer, wouldn’t it?

You’re afraid to speak because she has your heart in her hands.

Maybe so.

“Mr. Montgomery, I am in the market for a new solicitor,” Dalia said, snapping him out of his reverie. “What say you?”

His reply was laced with all the politeness he could muster. “Hawkins & Montgomery would be most eager for your business, madam.”

“You’re both insufferable,” Farah muttered. She turned to Grey with annoyance he could sense was feigned, her gaze gentling when it met his. “I’m going upstairs to pack. If you’re so stubborn, meet me back here in an hour and we’ll be off.”

Turning on her heel, she disappeared up the steps in a flurry of silk. For a brief moment, Grey and Dalia stood in silence, both of them staring at the empty staircase.

Abruptly, Grey said, “I am sorry to hear about your nephew’s accident.”

“Oh, he’ll be fine,” Dalia said. “He has a flair for the dramatic and likely insisted his sister come visit on what I am sure he’s considering his death bed.”

“I’ll be interested to meet him.”

Dalia hummed in contemplation. “I don’t think there’s any cause for concern, Mr. Montgomery.”

“Concern?”

“Farah will do the right thing.”

“I’m afraid I don’t follow,” Grey admitted. “The right thing about what?”

“Goodness, but it seems I’m ahead of you both.” Dalia let out an exaggerated sigh. “Such is my blessing and my curse.”

Odd aunts, brothers with broken bones, cousins who disguised themselves in order to infiltrate scientific societies—he couldn’t even begin to imagine what the roots of Farah’s family tree had been watered with.

“I should leave,” he said, unconvinced that the conversation warranted continuing. “I’ll return in an hour to accompany Miss Rafiq on her trip.”

Dalia nodded, a cat appearing out of thin air to circle around her in a display of affection. “I hope you enjoy your time in Gloucestershire, Mr. Montgomery. Have you ever been?”

Grey shook his head.

“It’ll grow on you,” Dalia said. “Something about it seems to light the spark of romance and adventure in people. You’ll understand my meaning once you arrive.”

Unsure of how to respond, Grey did no more than give her a short bow before making for the door.

“Mr. Montgomery,” she called. When he turned, it was to see what she was struggling to suppress a smile. “Do not let my family alarm you. Life in the countryside affords them a freedom that you and I are not accustomed to, and it often shows.”