Page 17 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
Her father had already departed for his evening entertainment, so she couldn’t ask him if he’d attended a rout yesterday rather than his literary club.
She was sure Lord Wycliffe wouldn’t attend Lady Cairs’ dinner. Charlotte had said she would be surprised to see the viscount again before leaving for the country unless she invited him to her home in Grosvenor Square.
As when she’d had a childhood infatuation for a stableboy at her father’s estate near Basildon, Edith feared nothing would or could come of her fondness for the viscount. Lord Wycliffe appeared to only have room in his life for the RA.
“You’re looking gloomy, my lady.”
“Am I?” Edith mentally shook herself. “I was far away.”
Mary gave her a bright smile. “I think the color Lady Louisa chose for your gown is excellent for your complexion.”
Edith’s dress consisted of a pale blush gauze gown over a white satin slip cut low around the bust, with a short waist, the skirt trimmed in a mixture of white satin and moss roses. Her hair was dressed in a plain braid across her forehead, with only a few ringlets beside her face.
She stared at her reflection in the dressing table mirror. “I think you are right. And you are a wonder with my hair, Mary.”
“It is a pleasure to dress your hair, my lady. The color is so light; you look like a fairy.”
She chuckled. “My father has said that often enough.”
Soon after, Charlotte and her husband arrived in their carriage to whisk Edith away to the dinner party.
“How are you enjoying your volunteer work?” Lord Ashford asked once she was seated on the velvet squabs of his town carriage facing the marquess and Charlotte.
“I love it. Twice a week is no burden at all.”
Charlotte snorted. “Tell that to Louisa. If she complains again tomorrow, I will ask her to stop volunteering.”
“I can’t believe she agreed to help with the registry. Louisa is a loyal friend assuredly, but not given to charity work.”
Charlotte tapped the side of her nose with a glove-covered finger. “It was Louisa’s only excuse for staying in London. Her mother wanted her only daughter in the countryside.”
She imagined Louisa’s mother would have attempted to marry her daughter off to someone attending her brother’s shooting parties.
Their hostess for the evening, Lady Cairs, was a grande dame of thetonwho entertained lavishly throughout the year. The marchioness was a widow and chose to remain in London rather than leave Town for the countryside when the season ended, and had recently moved from her townhouse in Grosvenor Square to a larger house in Cavendish Square.
When they entered Lady Cairs’ drawing room, it was to find Alicia and her brother already there. There were two other married couples in attendance. The addition of Edith made the party an even number.
“Lady Edith!” Alicia rushed forward to grasp Edith’s hands. “I was just telling Lord Alethorpe about the registry office. He has promised to send his man of business to us the next time he needs a position filled.”
“That is wonderful to hear.” She nodded to Lord Harbury.
The baron was turned out in an immaculate white shirt and tan waistcoat, his blue tailcoat and cream breeches the first stare of fashion. He wasn’t Lord Wycliffe, but she had to admit he did cut a fine figure in his evening clothes.
“And what about the other gentleman standing next to Lord Alethorpe?” she asked teasingly.
“Lord St. Clair keeps slipping away.” Alicia grinned. “I’ll have to speak with him again.”
The girl rushed off, and Edith was left standing with Lord Harbury. The faint scent of lavender and citrus drifted to her. She recognized the cologne the baron wore as one of her favorites,Albany, by D.R. Harris & Company.
“I wish I had as much energy,” the baron murmured.
She raised a brow. “Are you in your dotage, my lord?”
“Very nearly.”
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. Would Edith have noticed the sorrow in his eyes if she wasn’t looking for it?
“Alicia was a great help today.”
