Page 49 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
Chapter Eighteen
“Are you interestedin helping Lord Harbury with his investigations so you may see more of Lord Wycliffe?” Louisa asked.
Edith rolled her eyes. “I’m interested in helping because three men are missing.”
The women were seated in the drawing room in Hanover Square, awaiting Edith’s father to escort them to a card party and late supper at Lady Sandhurst’s townhouse. Edith couldn’t remember an instance when her father wasn’t ready to leave the house before she was.
“It sounds as if you and Lord Harbury uncovered some important information the runners missed.”
She nodded. “Now we know at least one of the veterans was examining a horse right before he disappeared. I’m sure the horses were used to draw the men in to seize them.”
Louisa nodded. “I think you could be right.”
Edith’s father entered the room, dressed immaculately. His color was high, and he swept them a bow.
“Father! You look positively splendid!”
His cheeks were now flushed. “Thank you, my dear! May I say you and Louisa are quite lovely this evening.”
Louisa wore a blush-colored gown, while Edith again wore the new light blue gown Louisa had selected for her.
Once in the carriage, Edith said, “It was kind of Lady Sandhurst to include Louisa in her invitation.”
Edith had yet to ask her father about his recent whereabouts in the evening. She assumed he’d been spending time with Lady Sandhurst.
She fiddled with the earring in her right ear lobe to distract herself from asking him about his relationship with the widow in front of Louisa. In the dim light from the darkening sky outside, Edith could see Louisa turn her head and observe her activity. She wondered if her friend knew that Edith’s particular habit meant she was uncomfortable.
Louisa addressed Edith’s father, “I hear Lady Sandhurst has an exceptional library.”
Her father beamed. “Oh yes! Quite exceptional. The lady has several first editions I would love to own.”
He talked about Lady Sandhurst’sexceptionalbooks until they reached the lady’s townhouse in Bedford Square.
Upon their arrival in the drawing room, Edith looked about her and spied Alicia and her brother. She also noticed Lady Cairs, the notorious matchmaker, speaking with Lady Sandhurst.
Lady Sandhurst left Lady Cairs’ side to greet their party, the warm smile on her lips reserved for Edith’s father. Her father became quite animated whilst greeting the lady, causing a frisson of panic down Edith’s spine.
Oh my goodness! Her father was smitten. If she could tell, Lady Cairs would surely be able to. The thought unsettled her, as her imagination ran wild with possible outcomes of her father having a romantic entanglement. It had been just the two of them for so long.
The baron and his sister walked to stand beside Edith and Louisa. She smiled shyly at Lord Harbury as everyone exchanged greetings. A strange sensation in her chest startled her when the baron smiled back.
Edith didn't have time to reflect on her sudden confusion as Lady Sandhurst walked to the doorway of the parlor and said in a loud voice, “Good evening, everyone!”
“It looks as if the games are to begin,” Baron Harbury replied softly, transferring his gaze to their hostess.
“The tables in this room are for Whist.” Lady Sandhurst, her voluptuous figure encased in midnight blue, waved an elegant hand. “In the adjoining parlor are tables for Piquet and Loo.”
A moment later, Edith’s father escorted the widow into the next room. She tore her gaze away from the couple to find Louisa watching her.
Alicia took the baron’s arm. “Whist, brother?”
Nathaniel glanced at Edith and Louisa.
