Page 1 of The Truth about the Earl
Prologue
“Iwas very sorry to hear of the death of your husband.”
Lady Norah Essington gave the older lady a small smile, which she did not truly feel. “I thank you. You are very kind.” Her tone was dull but Norah had no particular concerns as regarded either how she sounded or how she appeared to the lady. She was, yet again, alone in the world, and as things stood, was uncertain as to what her future would be.
“You did not care for him, I think.”
Norah’s gaze returned to Lady Gillingham’s with such force, the lady blinked in surprise and leaned back a fraction in her chair.
“I mean no harm by such words, I assure you. I –”
“You have made an assumption, Lady Gillingham, and I would be glad if you should keep such notions to yourself.” Norah lifted her chin but heard her voice wobble. “I should prefer to mourn the loss of my husband without whispers or gossip chasing around after me.”
Lady Gillingham smiled, reached forward, and settled one hand over Norah’s. “But of course.”
Norah turned her head, trying to silently signal that the meeting was now at an end. She was not particularly well acquainted with the lady and, as such, would be glad of her departure so that she might sit alone and in peace. Besides which, if Lady Gillingham had been as bold as to make such a claim as that directly to Norah herself, then what would she think to say to theton? Society might be suddenly full of whispers about Norah and her late husband—and then what would she do?
“I have upset you. Forgive me.”
Norah dared a glance at Lady Gillingham, taking in the gentle way her eyes searched Norah’s face and the small, soft smile on her lips. “I do not wish you to disparage my late husband, Lady Gillingham. Nor do I want to hear such rumors being spread in London – whenever it would be that I would have cause to return.”
“I quite understand, and I can assure you I do not have any intention of speaking of any such thing to anyone in society.”
“Then why state such a thing in my presence? My husband is only a sennight gone and, as I am sure you are aware, I am making plans to remove myself to his estate.”
“Provided you are still welcome there.”
Norah closed her eyes, a familiar pain flashing through her heart. “Indeed.” Suddenly, she wanted very much for Lady Gillingham to take her leave. This was not at all what she had thought would occur. The lady, she had assumed, would simply express her sympathies and take her leave.
“Again, I have injured you.” Lady Gillingham let out a long sigh and then shook her head. “Lady Essington, forgive me. I am speaking out of turn and with great thoughtlessness, which I must apologize for. The truth is, I come here out of genuine concern for you, given that I have been in the very same situation.”
Norah drew her eyebrows together. She was aware that Lady Gillingham was widowed but did not know when such a thing had taken place.
“I was, at that time, given an opportunity which I grasped at with both hands. It is a paid position but done most discreetly.”
Blinking rapidly, Norah tried to understand what Lady Gillingham meant. “I am to be offered employment?” She shook her head. “Lady Gillingham, that is most kind of you but I assure you I will be quite well. My husband often assured me his brother is a kind, warm-hearted gentleman and I have every confidence that he will take care of me.” This was said with a confidence Norah did not truly feel but given the strangeness of this first meeting, she was doing so in an attempt to encourage Lady Gillingham to take her leave. Her late husband had, in fact, warned her about his brother on more than one occasion, telling her he was a selfish, arrogant sort who would not care a jot for anyone other than himself.
“I am very glad to hear of it, but should you find yourself in any difficulty, then I would beg of you to consider this. I have written for the paper for some time and find myself a little less able to do so nowadays. The truth is, Lady Essington, I am a little dull when it comes to society and very little takes place that could be of any real interest to anyone, I am sure.”
Growing a little frustrated, Norah spread her hands. “I do not understand you, Lady Gillingham. Perhaps this is not -”
“An opportunity towrite, Lady Essington.” Lady Gillingham leaned forward in her chair, her eyes suddenly dark and yet sparkling at the same time. “To write about society! Do you understand what I mean?”
Norah shook her head but a small twist of interest flickered in her heart. “No, Lady Gillingham. I am afraid I do not.”
The lady smiled and her eyes held fast to Norah’s. “The London Chronicle, as you know, has society pages. I am sure you have read them?”
Norah nodded slowly, recalling the times she and her mother had pored over the society pages in search of news as to which gentlemen might be worth considering when it came to her future. “I have found them very informative.”
“Indeed, I am glad to hear so.” Lady Gillingham smiled as if she had something to do with the pages themselves. “There is a rather large column within the society pages that mayhap you have avoided if you are averse to gossip and the like.”
Norah shifted uncomfortably in her chair. The truth was, shehadread them many times over and had been a little too eager to know of the gossip and rumors swirling through London society whilst, at the same time, refusing to speak of them to anyone else for fear of spreading further gossip.
“I can see you understand what it is I am speaking about. Well, Lady Essington, you must realize that someone writes such a column, I suppose?” She smiled and Norah nodded slowly. “Iam that person.”
Shock spread through Norah’s heart and ice filled her chest. Not all of the gossip she had read had been pleasant – indeed, some of it had been so very unfavorable that reputations had been quite ruined.
“You are a little surprised but I must inform you I have set a great deal of trust in you by revealing this truth.” Lady Gillingham’s smile had quite faded and instead, Norah was left with a tight-lipped older lady looking back at her with steel in her dark eyes.
