Page 13 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
“There have been no reprisals since Lady Devon took over the registry?” she asked Diana.
“None. Lord Wycliffe checks in on us often, which may help keep the wolves at bay.”
Lady Diana nodded to the viscount, and he nodded back. Louisa was aware they’d known each other for years. Louisa was no expert in matters of the heart, but from her observations, she thought the only thing between them was respect and friendship.
For a moment, she wondered why she cared whether the two had an understanding. She must think of something else. How much did Lord Wycliffe know about the mythology clock? Had he heard of the riddle?
“That dress of yours is très magnifique!” Diana leaned closer. “Who is your modiste, Louisa?”
“I use Francesca, although I designed the dress myself.”
“You did?” Diana shook her head. “I saw the exquisite table you had commissioned for Charlotte. I didn’t know your design abilities ran to fashion in addition to home textiles and furnishings.”
She felt warmth on her cheeks.
“Louisa advises me on my wardrobe,” Edith said proudly. “Her taste is impeccable.”
She mumbled a thank you, ignoring Lord Wycliffe’s gaze.
The last course was removed, and Edith rose to her feet. “Ladies, we will leave the men to their own devices.”
Again settled in the drawing room, Edith sent for a tea tray.
“I can’t believe how calmly Cecil is taking your winning that clock,” Diana said once the teacups were sorted.
“You know him better than we do,” Edith replied, “but I am surprised as well.”
“My brother Leopold was determined to best Lord Wycliffe.” She frowned. “It was extremely odd. If there is a rivalry between the two, I’ve never heard about it.”
Diana shook her head. “I haven’t heard of one either.”
“Perhaps my husband knows something,” Edith said with a wink. “I will ask him.”
Louisa certainly wouldn’t broach the subject with Lord Wycliffe and wasn’t sure her brother would tell her anything. “I will ask Leopold, but he is usually tight-lipped about personal matters. Oh! Edith, my mother has approved of your acting as my chaperone for the rest of the season.”
“That is wonderful news.” Edith grinned. “You won’t have Leopold dogging your steps at every turn on the marriage mart.”
Soon after, the gentlemen entered the room.
“Cards?” Edith asked.
“Perhaps not,” Nathaniel replied with a glance between herself and Lord Wycliffe.
“Then charades it is!” Their hostess clapped her hands as her husband released a groan.
* * * * *
“I was rather taken aback when Edith told me Louisa had won the clock,” Nathaniel said the words idly, seemingly transfixed by the brandy in his glass.
“Yes.” Cecil shrugged. “Her brother Leopold would have spent a fortune bidding, so I let him have it.”
“He still holds a grudge?”
He nodded. “Evidently.”
There had been a girl. She’d preferred Cecil over Leopold. The man had since come into his own, but at the time, Leopold was unusually thin and had spots. That wasn’t Cecil’s fault. The young woman was Lord Sidmouth’s youngest daughter, and he often wondered if Sidmouth disliked him because he had no interest in the girl. It wasn’t Cecil’s fault many young women his age had been enamored of him. He’d never sought the attention.
His charm had come in handy while searching for the roots of the Rogue’s Alliance. Although he hadn’t yet connected any ladies of the ton to the RA, he’d identified several female servants and a few doxies as alliance members.
