Page 51 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
She frowned. “Of course I do.”
“Then why are you upset he may be interested in Lady Sandhurst?”
She took a moment to answer, reflecting that itwasthe sort of question Charlotte would have asked her. “It has just been us two for so long. My father has been lying about his whereabouts. Why would he lie?”
“Your father may not wish to discuss Lady Sandhurst with you until he understands his feelings for her.” Louisa paused. “Being Charlotte isn’t so very hard. I simply must try to be empathetic as hard as that is for me.”
Edith shook her head and chuckled. “Do not strain yourself, Louisa. What you say does have merit.”
“There now, don’t you feel better? Finish up your cake. Perhaps we will be able to get seats at a Whist table.”
She took a few more bites of Savoy cake, her favorite sweet.
“My father is leaving the room.” She stood up. “I want to speak with him a moment.” Edith was determined to put aside her fears about his possibly being in a relationship with Lady Sandhurst.
“Edith, my dear.” Her father said, halting near her table and gifting her an affectionate smile.
“How have you fared this evening?” she asked brightly, returning his smile and including the lady beside him.
“Very well, we have been most lucky.”
“That is splendid to hear.”
Her father put out his arm, and Lady Sandhurst took it. “We shall see you at the tables, ladies.”
“Edith!” Alicia approached them. “You have already had supper?”
She nodded. “Yes. Would you like our company?”
“Please. Nathaniel should be along any moment.”
Edith retook her seat and ignored Louisa’s drawn-out sigh when Alicia moved to the buffet tables and filled a plate.
Once Alicia was seated, she asked the girl, “Do you recall speaking with my father and Lady Sandhurst about the production ofGuy Mannering?”
Alicia chewed and swallowed a bite of asparagus. “Oh yes, theydidattend the play together and agreed that Sarah Egerton in the role ofMeg Merrilies was a brilliant choice.”
Her fatherhadattended the theater with Lady Sandhurst! With her volunteer work and worry about the missing veterans, she’d not read the papers the last few days. Perhaps it was time she perused the society pages.
The baron entered the room and crossed to them. “Lady Edith, Lady Louisa, might I fetch you some refreshment?”
Both ladies shook their heads. “No thank you, my lord.”
Edith’s stomach rumbled loudly, and she felt heat on her cheeks as she jumped to her feet. “Pardon me.”
She walked quickly away as her stomach rumbled again. Edith knew where the retiring room was and made straight for it. Several minutes later, she exited the chamber to see Louisa standing further down the corridor.
Her friend rushed forward. “Are you all right? You left the drawing room rather quickly.”
“I don’t feel well.”
“Edith!” Lady Sandhurst appeared. “I thought you looked rather peaky.”
“I’ll be all right, my lady.” She smiled weakly.
The lady patted Edith’s arm. “Your father is having his carriage brought around. You should go home immediately. I do hope the supper did not make you ill.”
She took a deep breath, willing nausea away. “Perhaps I merely ate too much, Lady Sandhurst.”
