Page 8 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
The gentlemen stayed behind for cigars and brandy as the ladies gathered in the drawing room, where she imagined she could still smell traces of the viscount’s musky cologne.
“Now we can have a long catch up,” Charlotte said when the women were seated and a tea tray arrived. She poured for her friends, looking comfortable in her new position as mistress of the house.
“Lord Ashford’s mother is in the country?” Edith asked.
“She insisted on giving us some privacy.” Charlotte handed Louisa a teacup. “Although Diana is still in residence. My new sister had a prior engagement this evening.”
Edith winced at the name. From the easy way the pair had with each other, she suspected that Lord Wycliffe and Diana had been involved in some way in the past.
“What happened between Diana and the viscount?” Louisa asked, taking a sip of tea. “Not knowing is killing Edith.”
She glared at her friend. Louisa wrinkled her nose in response.
“Diana kissed Cecil in front of her brother in this very room. Ashford told me all about it. It was after her fiancé died, and she was quite undone. Ashford believes she did it to punish him as he’d decreed that the couple should wait until after the war to marry, and Diana’s intended was killed at the battle of Toulouse soon afterwards.”
“That is very sad. Do you think Diana has feelings for Lord Wycliffe?” she asked quietly, her attention on her teacup.
“Ashford says Diana was infatuated with Cecil when she was a young girl. Although I’ve never discussed Cecil with Diana, my husband is sure she was deeply in love with her fiancé and still mourns him.”
“And whereisyour sister-in-law this evening?” Louisa took a sip of the fragrant tea.
Edith looked up, also interested in where the lovely, capable Diana might be.
“Recruiting more employers to the registry.” Charlotte clicked her tongue as she studied Louisa. “Volunteering two days a week isn’t much to ask.”
“You’ve worn me down, Charlotte. I will volunteer,” Louisa replied with a groan, tucking a stray copper curl behind one ear.
There was a sound in the corridor outside. Charlotte turned in her seat to face the doorway of the drawing room. “That might be Diana now.”
And it was. The lady, in a beautiful periwinkle evening dress, her dark hair piled artfully on top of her head, entered the drawing room. Perhaps Cecil was attracted to dark-haired, voluptuous women. In other words, women who were quite the opposite of Edith.
“Good evening.” Diana smiled at everyone before releasing a long breath. “I’m sorry I missed your dinner, Charlotte. I did secure two more employers for the registry. If you ladies will excuse me, I’m exhausted and will retire for the evening.”
“Lady Edith and Lady Louisa are interested in volunteering at the registry,” Charlotte replied hurriedly.
“How wonderful! Please come along tomorrow, Lady Edith, if you would like to see what volunteering will entail. I could use your help, Charlotte and Louisa, Tuesday afternoon.” She nodded to her sister-in-law. “Goodnight!”
Diana exited the room in a flounce of skirts.
“She is a whirlwind,” Louisa said admiringly. “And a stylish one to boot.”
She remained silent. The woman was a presence to be reckoned with, her personality more vibrant than Edith’s could ever be.
“On the bright side, Edith,” Louisa continued, “I don’t think she is interested in Cecil. Nor he in her.”
“I don’t believe Lord Wycliffe is interested in anything or anyone that isn’t connected with the Rogue’s Alliance.” She shook her head.
Charlotte nodded. “I’m afraid you’re right, my friend. I’m afraid you’re right.”
