***
Gideon’s antiquated carriage drove me into the city. What I was about to do was reckless, but I did not care. The carriage reached its destination, and I pushed the door open. Stepping down, I raised my eyes to look upon Guinevere’s house.
At the door, I knocked twice and waited. A moment had passed before the door opened, and an older woman who was not Martha was on the other side.
“I have called to see Miss Clark. Would you be so kind as to tell her she has a visitor?”
“Miss Clark?” The woman shook her head. “There is no one here by that name.”
My smile was not at all pleasant, of that I was certain. “So she means to play games does she? Do be good enough to inform her that her betrothed has called.”
Again the woman shook her head. “Sir, there is not, nor has there ever been any person living here by that name.”
The devil! After clearing my throat, I asked, “Might I know to whom I am addressing?”
“Mrs. Gunner. This is my house, and I have lived here these twenty years.”
Anger slithered down my spine and melted into a tingling pool of rage in my stomach. “Might I inquire, have you only recently returned?”
“Fancy you knowing that, sir. I returned home only yesterday from an extended stay with my sister in the Carolinas.”
“Ah. That clears matters,” I replied, but it did nothing to clear matters. “I apologize for wasting your time.” I bowed and turned away. I directed the coachman to take me to my mother’s country house. Once seated in the carriage, I clenched my teeth, willing the horses on. My mother and sister were in considerable danger.
Chapter 32
Bess
Phantoms In Philadelphia (Phantom Knights Book 1) Page 54
