Wild Star (Star Quartet 3)

Irene’s shoulders dropped. She took her seat at the foot of the table, shooting Byrony a cold look as she did so. A challenge? Byrony wasn’t interested, Irene could sit in Ira’s chair for all she cared.

Naomi entered the dining room, carrying a platter of scrambled eggs and bacon and a plate of toast. Ira spoke of the foggy weather until the woman had left the dining room.

“I’m having lunch with Chauncey Saxton,” Byrony said, breaking the heavy silence.

“Excellent,” Ira said. “A charming woman.”

“She wants me to bring Michelle.”

“No. That is,” Irene continued in a more moderate voice, “the child was sick all night. Surely it wouldn’t be wise to drag her around with you.”

“Would you like me to ask Saint to stop by and see her, Irene?”

“That isn’t necessary, Ira. But she does need her rest.”

And that, Byrony thought, is that. She dutifully repeated the baby’s problems to Chauncey three hours later. “She’s fine now, of course,” Byrony said, realizing that Chauncey might think it odd that Byrony had left her sick child. “She is napping.” She looked around the drawing room. “You have a lovely home, Chauncey.”

“I’ll tell Del. I had nothing to do save move in. You just missed Saint, by the way. Do you know he still refuses to tell me how he got that name?”

“You too? He did the same to me last night.”

“A lovely dinner,” Chauncey said. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Everyone was quite nice, really.”

“Except Penelope, right?”

“Well, when I met her, she made me feel like some sort of insect. And her mother—I was reminded of a ship under full sail. Oh dear, I shouldn’t be saying these things. I’m certain they are both quite pleasant.”

“No, they’re not. I’ll tell you a little secret, Byrony. If I hadn’t rescued Del, he might very well have married that girl.”

“Ira did tell me that you arrived here from England just last winter, and you and Mr. Saxton were married two months later.”

To Byrony’s surprise, Chauncey dropped her eyes a moment. “I am very lucky,” she said. “Now, instead of having lunch here, Del invited us out with him. There’s a new restaurant that opened on Clay Street, Samuel’s Chop House. If you like, afterward we can do a bit of shopping.”

Byrony readily agreed. Lucas, a pirate of a man if Byrony ever imagined one, drove the two women to Montgomery Street. “We will meet you here at four o’clock, Luc. All right?”

“Certainly, ma’am,” Lucas said.

Chauncey said behind her gloved hand, “I think there’s a real romance brewing between Lucas and my maid, Mary. Luc looks so ferocious, but he’s gentle as the proverbial lamb. I fear he will let Mary ride roughshod over him without a whimper.”

Byrony was grinning as they walked into the Saxton and Brewer bank. They were the only females in this den of males, but it was obvious to Byrony that Mrs. Saxton’s appearance wasn’t a surprise. Hats were politely tipped, gentle greetings made. Chauncey introduced Byrony to several of the gentlemen, one of them, Dan Brewer, Del Saxton’s partner.

“You have a lovely bank, sir,” Byrony said, having never before in her life even entered a bank.

“I agree, Mrs. Butler,” he said, winking at Chauncey.

“We’ll see you later, Dan. Now, it’s time I rescued Del from his labors.”

Chauncey knocked on a closed door, then opened it and walked in, Byrony on her heels.

“Oh dear, I didn’t realize you had someone with you.”

Byrony stopped dead in her tracks. It wasn’t fair, dammit.

“Not at all, Chauncey. Do come in. Ah, Byrony, welcome. Brent and I were just finalizing a bit of very profitable business.”

Byrony heard Chauncey’s light, charming voice, but she didn’t hear her words. She didn’t realize she was backing up until Brent Hammond said, “How pleasant to see you again, Mrs. Butler. Were you going somewhere?”