The Lie and the Lady by Kate Noble Page B

from, she would have ended up transgressing this woman.
    Well, it was a stumble. But at least it showed her who she was going to have to overcome, if not why.
    It also showed her Margaret’s cards. And she would need to address that first.
    â€œI’m sure you are right,” Leticia said, soothing. Then, “Margaret, may I have a word with you for a moment?”
    Leticia and Margaret made their curtsies and moved off, finding their way to the shade of an oak tree. Leticia tried to ignore the not-so-quiet whispers of the ladies at their backs.
    But she was Leticia Herzog, Countess of Churzy. There was no way an awkward country girl like Margaret was going to undermine her.
    But the situation would require some finesse.
    â€œOh dear,” Margaret said, unable to keep the snit out of her voice. “Did I say something amiss? Am I to be scolded now?”
    â€œHeavens no,” Leticia replied, her expression all innocence. “I wouldn’t dare scold you. I am not your parent.”
    â€œNo you are not,” Margaret harrumphed.
    â€œNo I am not,” she agreed. “Nor do I have any desire to be.”
    That got Margaret to look at her.
    â€œI have no desire to replace your mother in your heart—if I did, I have no doubt I’d do a very poor job of it.” Leticia gave her best exasperated smile. “I don’t have the memories that she would have and you have of her—I haven’t the knowledge or patience, and . . . can I tell you a secret?”
    Margaret nodded slowly.
    â€œI haven’t a clue how to garden. In fact, most flowers make me sneeze.”
    The corner of Margaret’s mouth ticked up for the barest second before she squashed it down.
    â€œI have no doubt I would make a horrible mother for you, not the least because you already have one,” Leticia concluded. “But I think I would be a very good friend.”
    â€œYou intend to be my friend?” Margaret asked, unable to hide her skepticism.
    â€œIf you would let me. We are going to be a part of each other’s lives from now on, so it would be best for us to start out on the right foot. And disliking each other would be the decidedly wrong one.”
    â€œI don’t dislike you,” Margaret grumbled. “I don’t know you well enough to dislike you.”
    There was something in the way Margaret glanced at the ground. Something quiet in the way she spoke. I don’t know you. Something that made her seem very much alone.
    Then Margaret straightened her shoulders and let her gaze fall to the bark of the tree they stood under. Idly, she picked at some moss on its side. “Although I am unsure I can like someone who sneezes at flowers.”
    â€œI like flowers very much,” Leticia replied. “At a distance.”
    â€œDoes that mean you won’t invade my greenhouse again?” Margaret asked, her eyes narrowing.
    â€œNot unless I’m invited.”
    â€œYou won’t be,” Margaret said in a rush. Then her cheeks pinked. “I mean, no one goes in my greenhouse. It’s my . . . it’s my space.”
    â€œUnderstood.” Leticia held up her hands. “However, from what I saw you are incredibly talented. Your greenhouse could put some of those in London to shame.”
    Margaret pinked even further.
    â€œYou know that last night I mentioned the idea of London because I thought it might be fun,” Leticia said. “For you.”
    â€œHow would it be fun for me?” Margaret asked, her brows coming down.
    â€œMargaret, a young lady should experience London!” Leticia laughed. “It’s terribly exciting. The latest fashions and on-dits and the theater! Balls and parties—men to flirt and dance with! Who knows, you might even meet a man who catches your attention . . .”
    She said this last bit gently. True, in the eighteen hours that she had known Margaret, she hadn’t