Lady Lightfingers by Janet Woods Page B

what they all knew. ‘Begging, amongst other things.’
    â€˜Really . . . what are the other things?’
    Into the sudden silence the door opened and Mrs Packer came in with a tray of tea things. She placed it on the sideboard out of Lottie’s reach, then left, coming back again with a tiered cake stand holding delicious-looking sandwiches, steaming muffins soaked with melted butter, and slices of cakes. She didn’t look at anyone, but followed her nose back out of the room.
    â€˜Oh dear, I seem to have upset my housekeeper.’ Thomas turned, his eyes laced with amusement. ‘Perhaps you wouldn’t mind pouring the tea for us, Mrs Laws.’
    Alice barely heard him. Her gaze was on Celia, who was looking at James with a frown on her face.
    He merely smiled at her. ‘What other occupation did you say?’
    Celia gave her a quick glance of reassurance and quietly informed him, ‘I didn’t say, but I act in plays.’
    His smile teased her. ‘Ah, you’re an actress. Are you famous?’
    â€˜I used to perform for the Wentworth Players.’
    â€˜I imagine you did perform, though I can’t say I’ve ever heard of the theatre company.’
    â€˜I don’t suppose they’ve heard of you, either. Are you going to prod at me all day, Mr Kent?’
    He gave a bit of an abashed chuckle. ‘I’d heard you had various talents. Being rude seems to be one of them.’
    Calmly Celia informed him, ‘It’s you who is being rude. You are being inquisitive, and I was merely reacting to it.’
    When James said, ‘I must humbly beg your pardon, Miss Laws,’ Celia’s face flamed and she looked vexed.
    â€˜Enough James,’ Thomas said mildly and turned to Celia. ‘I do wish you’d brought your stories for me to read. Perhaps you’d drop them off sometime so I can offer my advice in editing them.’
    â€˜Perhaps I will, after I’ve got them exactly as I want them.’
    â€˜Which defeats the whole object of editing,’ James said with a faint smile.
    Colour rose high in Celia’s face as she realized her mistake and she took him back to their spat, obviously unwilling to abandon it. ‘I suppose it must do. What had you heard about my various talents, Mr Kent?’
    â€˜Oh, nothing that should alarm you.’
    When Celia’s eyes narrowed Alice thought it was time to intervene. Patience wasn’t one of her daughter’s virtues. ‘Celia . . . see to your sister if you would. Take her on your lap and give her some cake to eat. Make sure she doesn’t drop crumbs.’ Alice crossed to the sideboard and began to pour out the tea, conscious of her ragged state and being totally out of place in this elegant drawing room. She handed a cup first to Thomas, and then to James. Inclining her head she said quietly into James Kent’s ear, ‘My daughter is hardly more than a child and unused to drawing-room talk. Please bear that in mind, Mr Kent.’
    When he nodded she poured tea for herself and Celia, then handed round the refreshments.
    Lottie’s eyes rounded with delight when she tasted the cake and she opened her mouth wider for the next bite.
    â€˜No,’ Celia said, withdrawing it as Lottie made a grab for the rest.
    For a moment Alice thought Lottie might kick up a fuss, but James Kent leaned forward and suggested, ‘You hold her and I’ll feed it to her.’
    Alice placed her cup down. ‘Perhaps I’d better take over. She might drop bits and pieces on you.’
    James spread a napkin over his knees. ‘That takes care of that problem. You enjoy your tea, Mrs Laws. We can put Lottie down when the edge is off her appetite.’
    â€˜It sounds as though you know something about children. Do you have a family, Mr Kent?’
    â€˜Lord no! I’ve never met a women brave enough to embark on the matrimonial journey with me. I do have a niece and a