Victoria Alexander - The Lady Travelers Guide To Scoundrels And Other Gentlemen

Four pairs of accusatory eyes turned toward India. Not the least bit fair. She was not the practiced charlatan here. Obviously why he had won them over and she had not. Still, this was not a good way to begin a journey of indeterminate length. For someone who preferred to act with reason rather than succumbing to emotion, she was apparently letting her feelings about Mr. Saunders color her judgment. And if one wished to best an opponent, one might wish to employ his tactics. She was not used to chicanery, but two could play at his game. How difficult could it be?

“Please forgive me, all of you. I spoke without thinking.” She heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “I am trying very hard to keep my emotions in check but not knowing where Cousin Heloise is...” She sniffed back a nonexistent tear, surprised to note it was not quite as feigned as she had expected.

“You poor dear.” Mrs. Greer cast her a sympathetic glance.

“Apology accepted, Miss Prendergast.” Mr. Saunders nodded and turned to the others. “We leave for Paris tomorrow. If we take the morning train to Dover, we can be in Paris by nightfall.”

“Paris?” India stared.

“Paris.” Mrs. Greer fairly sighed the word. “Did you hear that, Frederick? We’re going to Paris.” She leaned toward Lady Blodgett in a confidential manner. “I have always dreamed of going to Paris.”

“As have I,” Lady Blodgett said with a weak smile. “Charles always intended to take me, but somehow, the opportune time never arose. My friend Persephone speaks quite fondly of it. Of course, it’s been years since she’s been there.”

“I spent some time there as a student,” the professor added. “I doubt it’s changed much. Paris never does.”

“Paris?” India glared at Mr. Saunders. This was not what they had discussed.

“We, too, have some final arrangements to make.” Professor Greer stood and offered his hand to his wife. “Come along, Estelle.”

“Oh my, yes.” Mrs. Greer took his hand and rose to her feet. Mr. Saunders stood at once. The man was at least cognizant of polite behavior. “This has all happened so quickly. There is a great deal to do before we can leave. Why, we have to pack our bags and confer with the servants and arrange for—”

“Then we won’t keep you a moment longer.” Lady Blodgett stood, as well. “Allow me to see you out.” She glanced at her nephew. “I suspect you and Miss Prendergast have much to discuss before your departure.”

Mr. Saunders glanced at India. “I would think so.”

The older lady’s gaze shifted from her nephew to India and back. “I will leave you to it then.” She took Mrs. Greer’s arm and herded the couple toward the hall. “I can’t tell you how envious I am. Perhaps, one day, I, too...”

Mr. Saunders closed the doors behind them.

India stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “Paris?”

“I believe that’s the third time you’ve said that.”

“It bears repeating. If I recall correctly, you originally suggested following in Heloise’s footsteps. And I agreed.” She drew her brows together. “Her footsteps did not begin in Paris.”

“No, they did not,” he said mildly, crossing the room to a cabinet and opening the doors. “Would you care for a brandy or whisky? Or perhaps sherry would be more to your liking.”

“I have tea.” She waved impatiently at her cup.

“Ah yes, well, so you do.”

“I have never been one for overindulgence in spirits.”

“Imagine my surprise.”

“Besides, it’s entirely too early in the day for spirits.”

“How did I know you were going to say that?” He poured himself a glass of something amber and probably horribly inebriating.

She ignored the question. “I do hope indulging in alcohol at all hours is not something you plan to make a habit of during our travels.”

“As long as my habits do not interfere in our purposes, I would say they are none of your concern.”

She paused to summon a measure of calm. She couldn’t find Heloise without this beastly creature, and, as much as she disapproved of nearly everything about him, it made no sense not to attempt to get along with him. Still...

“Mr. Saunders.” She drew a calming breath. “I do not appreciate you changing our plans without informing me.”

He glanced at her, took a deep swallow of his drink, then refilled his glass. As if dealing with her required strong spirits.

“First of all, Miss Prendergast, they are not our plans.” He returned to his chair, gestured for her to sit, then resumed his seat. “They are my plans. You insisted upon coming. It’s only because my aunt agreed that you should that I am allowing you to do so.”

She gasped. “Allowing me?”

“Yes,” he said in a hard tone. “Allowing you.”

“Whether you allow me to accompany you or not, I was not about to allow you to look for my cousin without supervision.”

“Supervision?” His brow rose as if she had just made the most amusing comment.

“I daresay someone needs to keep an eye on you.”

“You don’t trust me, do you, Miss Prendergast?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why not?” He leaned forward in what appeared to be genuine curiosity. “You don’t even know me.”

“Your reputation does not foster trust, Mr. Saunders.”

“I see.” He studied her curiously. “I would have thought you were the type of woman who judged people on their own merits rather than what gossips have had to say about them.”

Heat washed up her face. “I am indeed, but I am not a fool. When one person says a piece of fruit is a plum, there’s a possibility it may not be a plum. However, when dozens of people identify it as a plum, the chances are very good that it is indeed a plum.”

“I see.” He continued his perusal of her as if she were an insect in a glass case. “You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“I’ve never had any reason to doubt myself or my judgment.”

“Oh, this will be an enjoyable trip,” he said under his breath.

“I am not here to enjoy myself,” she said staunchly.

“Understandable, of course.”

“I am very concerned about my cousin.” The oddest lump formed in her throat, and she cleared it. “Indeed, she is my only concern.”

“Do not mistake my words, Miss Prendergast,” he said in a serious manner. “I, too, am concerned that we find Lady Heloise safe and well. However, it has been my observation that even the most serious of ventures progresses more easily when one attempts to appreciate new experiences.”

“I have no intention of appreciating anything.”

“No, I didn’t think you would.”

She ignored him. “I do wish you would answer my question. Why are we starting in Paris?”

“Because the last letter you received from her came from Paris.”

“How did you know that?”

“Good God, Miss Prendergast, you needn’t look at me as if I were some sort of nefarious villain intent on doing you and your cousin harm.”

Admittedly, she had little more than gossip and her suspicions as to his character. Not that he probably didn’t deserve it.

“Until you prove otherwise, Mr. Saunders...” She shrugged.

He stared at her for a moment, then laughed.

“This is not amusing.”

“On the contrary, it—you—” he raised his glass to her “—are most amusing.”

“Imagine my delight in your assessment of me,” she snapped. “Now, once again—how did you know her last letter was from Paris?”

“When we first met, you said her last letter was from France and you specifically said it was from Paris in each and every letter you sent to the Travelers Society.”

She stared at him. “You actually read them?”