Page 25 of Taken to the Grave
Audrey had not mentioned the special license or the trip to Berkeley Square just yet. She and Genie were as close as sisters, but Genie would leap into action to plan the wedding for as soon as possible if she knew Hugh had officially proposed. Explaining that she and Hugh couldn’t marry until this investigation concluded would not be received well.
Audrey stood up and brushed the seat of her skirt as Genie crouched to pick up the baby.
“Where is Tamara?” Genie asked.
“In the kitchen. I offered to look after Pippa for a short while.”
The nursemaid had been grateful for the reprieve. Philippa was already beginning to teeth and had been irritable for days.
“Are you quite sure you won’t come with us tonight?” Genie asked. She was ready to depart for the evening, dressed in a lavish, pale green dinner gown of silk taffeta. With her blonde ringlets and ocean green eyes, the color was especially fetching.
“Lady Beauchamp was rather vocal about your invitation,” she added. Genie had not yet informed the countess that Audrey would not be attending, still hoping she would change her mind.
“I’m sorry, I wish I wasn’t so exhausted.” It wasn’t a lie; shewasdone in, and shewassorry that Genie would be disappointed. Genie sighed but was too good natured to continue complaining. Instead, she did what she usually did:thought of other people first. “Has there been any word about that young man, Sir?”
Audrey shook her head. “Not yet. Hugh is worried about him.”
So was she. If only there was some clue as to where he’d gone, like there was for Bethany. Hugh had gone out the night before, into Whitechapel and toward the docks. He’d looked drained that afternoon at Gunter’s.
“It is awful that the boy saw his father like that,” Genie said as she bounced Pippa on her hip. Audrey quickly placed a linen over Genie’s shoulder and bodice, to prevent any spit-up from landing on her gown. “And that his father may be connected to the other murders too… It is horrifying.”
As expected, the other publications in London had latched onto the story inThe Morning Postand had published their own versions.
“I am certain Sir will return to Lord Neatham,” Genie said. “He is devoted to the viscount.”
“And the viscount is devoted to him,” Audrey replied. He would not stop trying to find Sir. He’d likely go out again tonight, to another part of London’s underbelly, after he paid the Seven Sins a visit. He’d left her at Violet House earlier with a promise to inform her what he learned there about Mr. Comstock’s and Miss Silas’s visit—and with a firm refusal to bring her with him to the gaming hell. She had already been there once before, and in all honesty, had no wish to visit twice.
Tamara returned and whisked the baby from the duchess’s arms just moments before Pippa hiccupped and spit up. Genie only looked longingly at her baby.
“I would love to stay home tonight, too. The dinner is going to be dreadfully dull with everyone discussing politics. And Cassie has her musicale to attend, so I will be entirely alone,” shesighed. “Even the wives comment on politics, and I find myself feeling inadequate.”
“You are not inadequate,” Audrey replied, exasperated. This wasn’t the first time her sister-in-law had confessed to feeling out of her depth as a duchess. Audrey always had as well.
“Perhaps I should have an opinion on what they are saying,” Genie said as she walked back toward the door.
“I think any opinion should not be forced to the surface over some misplaced feeling of inadequacy,” Audrey replied.
“I suppose. And the princess is so outspoken, I doubt I could get a word in edgewise anyhow.”
Interest sharpened Audrey’s attention. “Princess?”
“Prince Paul’s wife, Princess Esterhazy.”
She followed Genie to the door. “The Austrian ambassador?”
“You’ve met?” Genie asked, appearing surprised.
“Not quite.” Audrey laced her fingers together, her mind charging forward. The slain Lord Stromburg had been visiting Prince Paul. Perhaps there would be a chance to speak to him at the dinner.
Audrey licked her lips. “I think I would like to go after all.”
The change of heart was done without an ounce of polish, and Genie frowned at her. “I’m concerned as to why.”
This time, Audrey at least tried to refine herself. With a light shrug, she said, “I should socialize now that I’m out of mourning, shouldn’t I?”
From her raised brow, Genie didn’t at all look to believe it. But as she’d gotten her way, she, too, shrugged. “Good then. You best get dressed, or we’ll be late.”
In the end,they were fashionably late to Lord and Lady Beauchamp’s home, which was located just off Grosvenor Square, where Genie and Michael had lived before coming to Violet House. The drawing room was filled with guests when they were announced, and there was no mistaking the interest sparking off as heads turned and eyes sought after Audrey’s named was called. She’d forgotten until they were already on their way to the earl and countess’s home about the cartoon in the paper the previous morning, of her and Hugh strolling at Vauxhall with a body lain out on the path behind them. There had not been another cartoon, and there had been no mention in the society columns in any of the papers that day about Hugh’s proposal on Berkeley Square, either. But it was clear that whispers had started to fan around society, and Lady Beauchamp, who joined them immediately, was not one to shy away from a direct question.
