Page 20 of Murder at Madame Chambon's
Evelina frowned and Lady Bradden went on, gently, “From a practical and pecuniary point of view, it will not help you in the immediate future since there will be no financial benefit to you as you are not yet married.”
Evelina nodded.
“I understand your betrothal has been kept quiet as there were some who Lord Dunstable feared… might object.”
Evelina blinked.How did Lady Bradden know so much?
“Do you know why that was?”Lady Bradden asked.
“No.”Evelina fidgeted with the end of her shawl.Nothing seemed quite real.“I did not know that was the case,” she added.
“My dear, until we know who was motivated to murder Lord Dunstable, and why, I think it best that you be kept out of it.Unless you do want to go into deep mourning for the rest of the season?”
Evelina shook her head a little more energetically than her grief should have allowed her.
“I thought not.In that case, I will leave now with the assurance that you will be updated.That’s not to say word will not leak, but for the meantime, I think it best if you stay quietly indoors.”She frowned, then added, “No, perhaps it would be better advice to continue as if you and Lord Dunstable had no understanding.After all, nothing had been announced or made public, had it?”
Evelina shook her head as Lady Bradden rose, saying on a sigh, “I’m sorry there is nothing further I can do.”At the door, she hesitated.“Did Lord Dunstable have family?”
Evelina felt suddenly bereft.She didn’t want Lady Bradden to leave.“He had a brother and a sister.His mother, too.I’ve met none of them.”
“Were arrangements made for you to meet them?”Lady Bradden asked.
Evelina shrugged.“Nothing firm.Lord Dunstable said his mother was going to take it upon herself to arrange the engagement festivities.”She frowned, swallowing down her humiliation before she volunteered, “Then he changed his mind and said he thought it best if we were married quietly and that he told his mama after we returned from the wedding tour.”She drew herself up, adding with the pent-up indignation she’d hidden from her husband-to-be, “He said there was some difficulty with the marriage contract he was negotiating with my father.I think he was ashamed that my parents no longer live together, but it’s not as if they’re … divorced!”
“I’m sure you have no need to concern yourself, my dear,” said Lady Bradden kindly.“Take what time you need to digest the shock.And then I’d advise you to continue as if nothing had happened… if you think you can manage it.”
Evelina rose, suddenly afraid.She didn’t want Lady Bradden to leave her alone with Lady Perry.“And do I wear mourning?Full mourning or half?”She felt completely at sea with no one to guide her, for Lady Perry had been a tight-lipped chaperone who seemed only to exist to escort Evelina to the events her mother had organized.
Before Lady Bradden could respond, Evelina said suddenly, “I want to see my mother!She’ll know what to advise me.”
“Your mother?”Lady Bradden turned at the door.“Forgive me, but I do not recall you mentioning your mother.Only your chaperone, Lady Perry.Might I ask … who is your mother?”
“Mrs.Catherine Tarot.Perhaps you’ve heard of her?”
“Where does she live?Perhaps I can take you there.”
Evelina lowered her eyes.“She resides with an elderly aunt who does not desire additional company, so I only see mama when she comes here.I will send round a note.”
“And I’ll take the note to your mama, directly,” said the photographer with surprising alacrity.“It’s the least I can do since I offended you earlier, Miss.And ’cos I want to help as best I can in your hour of distress.”
“Yes, indeed,” said Lady Bradden.“We will both take the note and ensure that your mama sees you at the earliest.A young lady needs to be with her mother at such a time.We will wait while you write it.”
Five minutes later, Evelina felt more bereft than she could have imagined as she stood at the drawing-room window and watched Lady Bradden and her maid, the child, and the photographer prepare to depart in Lady Bradden’s carriage.
Down in the street, a footman opened the door for her Ladyship, who held out her arms for the child, before the maid climbed in beside her.How very unconventional to bring a child, Evelina thought, once again.
But then, Lady Bradden seemed a very unconventional woman.
And then, to her surprise, she saw Kitty emerge, having climbed the stairs from the servants’ entrance below street level.
Her maid began talking in animated fashion to the photographer whose name Evelina had forgotten and Evelina was about to leave the window when Kitty reached into her skirt pocket and drew out what appeared to be a piece of paper, which she handed to the man.
He took it, and Kitty raised her hand to cup the man’s cheek.It was a brief but telling gesture.
One that surprised Evelina more than she could say.
Evelina trailedoff to her bedchamber and took a seat by the window, staring into the street until she became aware of another presence in the room.
