Amanda Quick - Deception

"I don't believe I know anyone named Chillhurst," Olympia managed to say smoothly.

"Your uncle, Artemis Wingfield, sent me."

"Uncle Artemis?" Relief rushed through her. "You met him somewhere on his travels? Is he well?"

"Quite well, Miss Wingfield. I encountered him on the coast of France."

"This is wonderful." Olympia gave him a delighted smile. "I cannot wait to hear all the news. Uncle Artemis always has such interesting adventures. How I envy him. You must dine with us this evening, Mr. Chillhurst, and tell us everything."

"Are you all right, Miss Wingfield?"

"I beg your pardon?" Olympia stared at him in confusion. "Of course I'm all right. Why shouldn't I be all right? My health is excellent. Always has been. Thank you for inquiring, Mr. Chillhurst."

The black brow over Chillhurst's good eye rose. "I was referring to your recent experience at the hands of this person on the floor."

"Oh, I see." Olympia abruptly recalled Draycott's presence. "Good heavens, I almost forgot about him." She saw Draycott's eyes flicker and wondered what to do next. She was not particularly skilled at handling difficult social situations. Aunt Sophy and Aunt Ida had never concerned themselves with teaching her such niceties.

"This is Mr. Draycott," Olympia said. "He's a neighbor of ours. Known him for years."

"Has he always made a habit of assaulting ladies in their own homes?" Chillhurst said dryly.

"What? Oh, no." Olympia flushed. "At least, I do not believe so. He appears to have fainted. Do you think I should call my housekeeper and have her fetch the vinaigrette?"

"Do not concern yourself. He'll awaken soon enough."

"Will he? I have not had much experience with the effects of pugilism. My nephews are great admirers of the sport, however." Olympia gave him an inquiring look. "You appear to be very well versed in it. Have you studied at one of the London academies?"

"No."

"I thought perhaps you had. Well, never mind." She looked down at Draycott again. "He was certainly making a nuisance of himself. I do hope he has learned his lesson. I must say, if he continues to act in such a manner in the future I will no longer allow him to make use of my library."

Chillhurst looked at her as if she were slightly mad. "Miss Wingfield, allow me to point out that he should not be permitted to enter your home again under any circumstances. Furthermore, a woman of your years ought to know better than to receive gentlemen callers alone in her library."

"Do not be ridiculous. I am five-and-twenty, sir. I have little to fear from gentlemen callers. In any event, I am a woman of the world and I am not easily overset by unusual or extraordinary circumstances."

"Is that a fact, Miss Wingfield?"

"Certainly. I expect poor Mr. Draycott was simply overcome with the sort of intellectual passion that is frequently engendered by a keen interest in ancient legends. All that business about lost treasures and such has a very inflammatory effect on the senses in some people."

Chillhurst stared at her. "Does it have an inflammatory effect on your senses, Miss Wingfield?"

"Yes, indeed." Olympia broke off, aware that Draycott was stirring. "Look, he's opening his eyes. Do you suppose he'll have a headache because of that dreadful blow you gave him?"

"With any luck, yes," Chillhurst muttered.

"Bloody hell." Draycott mumbled. "What happened?" He gazed blearily up at Chillhurst for a moment. Then his eyes widened in astonishment. "Who the devil are you, sir?"

Chillhurst looked down at him. "A friend of the family."

"What the hell do you mean by attacking me?" Draycott demanded. He gingerly touched his jaw. "I'll have the magistrate on you for this, by God."

"You will do no such thing, Mr. Draycott," Olympia said crisply. "Your behavior was quite atrocious, as you are no doubt well aware. I'm sure you will want to take your leave immediately."

"He will apologize to you first, Miss Wingfield," Chillhurst said softly.

Olympia glanced at him in surprise. "Will he?"

"Yes."

"Damnation. I didn't do anything wrong," Draycott said in an aggrieved tone. "I was merely trying to assist Miss Wingfield down the ladder. And this is the thanks I get."

Chillhurst reached down, took hold of Draycott's neckcloth, and hauled the groggy man to his feet. "You will apologize now," he said deliberately. "And then you will leave."

Draycott blinked several times. His eyes met Chillhurst's unblinking gaze and slid uneasily away. "Yes, of course. All a mistake. Terribly sorry."

Chillhurst released him without warning. Draycott stumbled and stepped hurriedly back out of reach. He turned to Olympia with an expression of acute discomfort.

"I regret any misunderstanding that may have occurred between us, Miss Wingfield," Draycott said stiffly. "Didn't mean to give offense."

"Of course you didn't." Olympia could not help but notice that Draycott appeared very small and quite harmless standing next to Mr. Chillhurst. It was difficult to recall that for a few minutes there she had actually been somewhat alarmed by his behavior. "I believe it would be best if we both were to forget this matter entirely. Let us pretend it never happened."

Draycott cast a sidelong glance at Chillhurst. "As you wish." He straightened his coat and adjusted his neckcloth. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must be off. Don't bother summoning your housekeeper. I can see myself out."

Silence descended on the library as Draycott walked hurriedly out the door. When he was gone, Olympia looked at Chillhurst. He was studying her, in turn, with an unreadable expression. Neither said a word until they heard the outer door close in the hall behind Draycott.

Olympia smiled. "Thank you for coming to my rescue, Mr. Chillhurst. It was quite gallant of you. I've never been rescued before. A most unusual experience."

Chillhurst inclined his head with mocking civility. "It was nothing, Miss Wingfield. I'm glad I could be of service."

"You certainly were, although I doubt that Mr. Draycott would have done anything more than try to steal a kiss."

"You don't think so?"

Olympia frowned at the skepticism in Chillhurst's eyes. "He's really not a bad sort. I've known him since I came here to live in Upper Tudway. But I must admit that he's been acting rather oddly ever since his wife died six months ago." She paused. "He has recently developed a great interest in old legends, which happens to be my own field of interest."

"Somehow that does not surprise me."

"What? That I am interested in them?"

"No, that Draycott developed a sudden interest in them." Chillhurst's expression was grim. "He obviously did so in order to seduce you, Miss Wingfield."

Olympia was appalled. "Good heavens, surely you do not believe that what happened here this afternoon was intentional."

"I suspect it was very much a premeditated action, Miss Wingfield."

"I see." Olympia considered that briefly. "I had not thought of that possibility."

"Apparently not. You would be wise not to see him alone again."

Olympia brushed that aside. "Well, it's not really all that important. It's over. And I am completely forgetting my manners. I expect you'd like a cup of tea, wouldn't you? You've probably had a very long journey. I shall summon my housekeeper."

The sound of the outer door being flung open with a crash interrupted Olympia before she could ring for Mrs. Bird. A loud barking filled the hall. Dog claws scrabbled on the wooden floor outside the library. Boots pounded. Youthful voices rose in a booming chorus.

"Aunt Olympia? Aunt Olympia, where are you?"

"We're home, Aunt Olympia."

Olympia looked at Chillhurst. "I believe my nephews have returned from their fishing trip. They'll be anxious to meet you. They're very fond of Uncle Artemis and I'm sure they'll want to hear everything you have to tell us about your visit with him. You might also mention your skills in pugilism. My nephews will have a great many questions about the sport."