Beth was with child. Mrs. Jennings had brought Margret, Lucy, and the Palmers into town for the season. Willoughby had been seen in close proximity of Margret at most social functions. Rumors were spreading of their engagement.
He swiftly hired a carriage when the rumor had reached practical common knowledge. He had to confirm that Margret had no attachments to the blaguard and continued to be as interested in him as she was Mrs. Jennings' idle prattling.
When he entered Mrs. Jennings's town home, he was met with the sound of women's laughter. When he was shown into the parlor, he was pleased to see Margret alone with Lucy, who looked as though she were only visiting. Both had identical twinkles of laughter in their eyes.
"Colonel Brandon," Lucy exclaimed before they curtsied. "Mrs. Jennings has just imparted the latest rumor to us before going out, would you have heard it?"
Brandon shook his head and Margret's smile widened. "Then let us tell you, for may share our humor." She motioned for him to sit next to her on a couch as Lucy retook her seat in a chair opposite. "As you know, Colonel, I'm not one for idle rumor, but this me made me laugh. Mrs. Jennings was about town this very morning and was stopped by one of her friends, a Mrs. Morton, who inquired as to the preparations. 'Preparations for what?'" Margret did her best impersonation of Mrs. Jennings. "'Why your young charge? Is Miss Middleton not engaged to John Willoughby?'"
"You see? John Willoughby, of all people, is to be Margret's intended, can you imagine?" Lucy hid a laugh with her hand. "Such a vile and pompous man shouldn't be accepted in good society."
"Indeed," Margret agreed as Pigeon came in with the tea tray. Brandon simply nodded with the relief that the rumor was baseless. "That man frightens me. And there's no question as to my accident at the Allenham Ball. Every party he's attended in town, at least one young woman has gone home ill, or disappeared entirely."
Brandon turned to her worriedly. "Have you reported this?"
"Of course, but the authorities say he must be caught in the act."
A/n: okay so I'm doing this chapter in parts and a lot different from how I originally wrote it. I think I may have to cut out a big part of the conversation. Let me know what you all think. I might not post again if you don't. I really need your input!