Page 7 of Murder in Matrimony
“All we can do is wait and see how the blackmailer reacts.” She wondered if a new letter was being written as they spoke, if A Concerned Citizen was busily penning a response to her bold action. To see his own words in print must have been a great shock. “With any luck, this will be the end of the blackmail. Sometimes all it takes is someone knowing about another’s bad actions to make them cease. Let us hope that is the case here.”
“And if it’s not?” he asked.
“I will not keep it from you. I promise.”
The word seemed to appease him, and his shoulders relaxed.
Mr. Jones returned to the door. “I apologize for the interruption, but Mrs. Hamsted says she is expected. Shall I put her in the drawing room?”
“No, no. Please bring her in.”
Kitty Hamsted entered in a whirl of lavender frills. Her parasol was lavender as well with a straw-colored handle that matched her hat. The purple flowers on the brim of her bonnet made her blue eyes look violet, and Amelia welcomed the happy sight. The tension in the room was released by her entrance, and Amelia stood and motioned to her enthusiastically.
Kitty walked to the middle of the room and poised the parasol at her side in a dashing manner. “You, my friend, are the talk of theton.” She paused. “Lord Bainbridge, excuse me. Jones did not tell me Lady Amesbury had company.”
“Mrs. Hamsted, it’s always a pleasure.”
Simon and Amelia came away from her desk, joining Kitty in the seating area.
“Pray tell, why am I the talk of theton?” Amelia asked, unable to keep the curiosity out of her voice.
“Not you.” Kitty adjusted her skirt to avoid a crease before sitting down. “Lady Agony. Reprinting the letter was a brilliant idea.”
Amelia sneaked a peek at Simon, who had developed a light twitch in his jaw. “Not everyone thinks so.”
“Not everyone is as brilliant as you are, then.” Kitty leaned closer, lowering her voice in a way that made Amelia and Simon lean in, too. “Even Lady Hamsted is reading Lady Agony. Can you imagine it? My mother-in-law. I would have never dreamt it.” She clapped. “Bravo.”
“Yes, well, Lady Agony might have increased her readership, but Lady Amesbury has increased her chances of retaliation.” Simon cleared his throat. “I do not mean to be a killjoy, but Amelia’s safety is my utmost concern.”
“Of course it is.” Dropping her smile, Kitty rushed to agree. “It is mine as well.” She turned to Amelia, the skin around her eyes creased with new concern. “Do we believe the blackmailer knows your identity? I did not believe it was the case.”
“It is hard to say for certain,” said Amelia. “The letters are still coming through the magazine office, so we have no proof there. The blackmailer claims to possess the information but has provided no evidence to support it.”
“I worry it’s forthcoming.” Simon spoke the words into his lap, perhaps not wanting to put the idea into the atmosphere.
“Until we have proof, I see no cause for concern, and fretting will do us no good.” Amelia could do nothing about the blackmailer right now, perhaps not ever, but she could do something about her sister’s wedding. She could make plans with Kitty, which is why she’d called in the first place. “Let us turn to happier news: Captain Fitz and Madge’s wedding.”
Kitty clasped her lavender-lace-gloved hands in her lap with excitement. “We have less than two weeks to plan it. What have you done so far?”
“Sent a note to you.” Amelia chuckled, and the remainder of the tension in the room seemed to float out of the window. Even Simon joined in the jest with a laugh.
“I confess I’ve never planned a wedding.” Kitty chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. “Knowing your sister, she will insist on a robust meal, and the captain, well, I imagine his family is of hearty stock. The Scott family … will they be coming?”
“Yes.” Amelia could practically see the designs forming in Kitty’s pretty head.
“Just imagine, all of them in the same room, celebrating the grand couple.” Kitty sighed. “I, for one, cannot wait.”
“It might not be as comfortable as you imagine, Kitty,” Amelia cautioned. “Lady Tabitha has voiced concerns about the wedding and does not relish the thought of hosting a breakfast.”
Kitty frowned. Not wanting a party was a foreign concept to her. “What could she possibly object to?”
“Considering Miss Scott’s recent obstacles with the law, her objections might be valid,” added Simon.
Despite her mild agreement, Amelia didn’t appreciate the criticism. “Madge had nothing to do with the trouble.”
“Her argument with Mr. Radcliffe had everything to do with it,” Simon continued. “It placed her on the top of the suspect list.”
“A suspect list of one,” retorted Amelia. “I cannot imagine Madge arguing with anyone on her wedding day.”Except Aunt Cassandra, whom she despises with unparalleled fervor, and Cousin Matthew, her son, who will undoubtedly show up without an invitation. Amelia pressed her fingers to her temples. Which is why they must be stopped from attending. But that was a problem for another day.
