Lady Pamela and the Gambler (The Merry Misfits of Bath 3)

“I wanted to discuss with you my return to Bath.”

His return?

He walked over to the window and gazed out. “I was thinking since you no longer have a room at the boarding house, that perhaps staying here in London might be the best thing for you.” He turned. “With your brother.”

All the blood left her head and she felt very close to a swoon. He wanted her to stay here in London with her brother and he would return to Bath?”

“I d-don’t underst-stand.”

“It’s simple,” he snapped. “I have to get back to Bath. I have devoted too much time to this search for Miss Davenport. My business is suffering. I need to return.”

As soon as the tears sprang to her eyes, Nick turned his back on her once again and walked to the fireplace where he rested his arm on the mantlepiece. He tapped his finger on the brick. “I have arranged for Dorothy to pack your things and my driver will take you to Mulgrave’s townhouse.”

Pamela licked her dry lips. She felt as though she was in a bad dream. It was all so surreal. This was not the man she’d fallen in love with. “D-d-did my brother v-v-visit here?”

“No.” He looked her straight in the eye.

“Th-then d-did you m-m-meet him somewhere e-else?”

Nick let out a deep breath. “Pamela, I don’t understand what all these questions are about. I did as you asked, and helped you find Miss Davenport. She has been found and is on her way to Lord and Lady Berkshire’s home.”

He returned to the desk and shuffled papers laying there. “Now I just need to get back to my normal life.” He looked up at her and the pain in his eyes stabbed at her heart. “And you must return to yours.”

When she opened her mouth to speak, he held up his hand. “You must excuse me, now. I have a lot of work to do before I leave in the morning.”

Confused, hurt, and angry she left the library and hurried up the stairs to the bedchamber she’d been staying in. As Nick had stated, Dorothy was busy packing her belongings.

“I’m just about finished, my lady. Mr. Smith has already arranged for his carriage to be brought around.”

Well, then.

“Th-thank you, D-d-dorothy.” She refused to fall apart in front of the young girl. She would hold her tears until she reached her former bedchamber.

Thoughts still swirling around her head, she helped Dorothy finish, then made her way downstairs. She walked to the library, but the door was closed. She didn’t have the nerve to open it to say goodbye.

Holding onto her composure by a very thin strand, she walked as if in a dream away from the library, down the corridor to the front door. Grossman opened the doo

r and bowed as she passed through.

As promised the carriage sat in front of the house. The driver had already placed her luggage in the boot. She took the driver’s hand and stepped up into the vehicle.

She was numb. Felt nothing but knew in her heart that when her feelings did catch up with her it was going to be very difficult.

The ride to Mulgrave House passed quickly. It occurred to her that her brother didn’t even know she was coming. Suppose the lovely Corinne refused her entrance? Then she would have to put up a tent in their garden. A slightly hysterical giggle erupted from her mouth.

She climbed the stairs and the butler opened the door before she even dropped the knocker, then bowed. “Good day, Lady Pamela.”

She remembered him as being a footman when she moved out three years before. She nodded, still not sure of the steadiness of her voice.

“Pamela, my dear!” Corinna hurried down the corridor, her arms outstretched. “We are so very happy you’ve decided to join us.”

Things were getting stranger all the time. It was almost as if Corinne expected her. But that wasn’t possible since Nick only told her a short time ago that he thought a move to her brother’s house was for the best.

She allowed Corinne to wrap her in a hug. “Th-thank y-you.”

Corinne scrunched her nose as if she smelled something bad. Then she tapped Pamela on the nose. “We must work on getting you over that stuttering issue. We shall probably have to hire someone to prepare you.”

“P-p-prepare me f-f-for what?”