Chapter Twelve
Irate that the picnic had not produced the desired results, Agatha stewed in her bed. She had questioned Sarah at length but had learned nothing. The girl would go on forever with descriptions of southern wildflowers and then conclude that the afternoon had been most wonderful. But to Agatha any fool with one good eye could see that Sarah was miserable. Her face no longer sparkled when Nick’s name was mentioned. And as the afternoon drew to a close each day, Agatha watched Sarah watch the clock. Always, just before Nick was due to arrive, she would suddenly remember some urgent task and beg her leave.
Agatha folded her arms across her flat chest. They think that because my legs don’t work I’m a senile old woman, she grumbled. Well, there’s more than one way to gain information.
Mrs. Hempsted was only too happy to vent her frustration that none of her good food had been touched. “What’s wrong with those two young people?” she demanded of Agatha. “The weather was perfect, they had a feast fit for a king, yet they come high-tailing back home before a body even realizes they’re gone? I tell you, Mrs. Beaumont. In our day, you wouldn’t find two youngsters that didn’t know what to do with an afternoon of privacy and a basket of good food.” Giving a huff and muttering about how youth was wasted on the young, the cook left the bedroom.
As Agatha assimilated this new information her determination intensified. “Luther!” Her bellow belied the fragile body that emitted it. Within moments the butler was standing at the foot of her bed. “I want you to fetch Michael Danvers for me.”
“Again, Miss Agatha?” Luther shifted nervously. “Miss Agatha, you know that man ain’t no good.”
Agatha narrowed her eyes and set her jaw. “Luther, everyone is good for something. You go and see Michael Danvers. Tell him to call on me tomorrow, and to be here before noon.”
Luther shook his head, but he’s been with Miss Agatha too long to miss the steely determination in her eye. He’d do what she asked, like it or not, but he was going to keep a close watch on the man.
Bewitching Kisses (Bewitching Kisses Series) Page 15
