Page 32 of The Lady Glass
Cadogen’s fierce reputation and the fear that followed him wherever he went were something none of them could deny.
“We also haven’t seen any results,” Rolland contradicted. “What we should be asking is how can we utilize Cadogen’s help the most.”
Cadogen crossed his arms. “Lord Vernon is our most outwardly aggressive guest. If we want to find a motive, we might have to search his home. Let me ride to his estate to speak with his steward and do a little discreet digging, unless you think I’m needed more here.”
“It’s a plausible solution.” Rolland thought on it for a moment. “We could use more information on him.”
Cadogen gave a decisive nod. “Then, Andalin and I will leave when everything is in order.”
“I want to stay.” Lady Cadogen’s tone was completely decisive. It was rare for someone to speak with such authoritativeness around Cadogen. “I will only slow you down, and here I can shoulder some of Her Grace’s burdens. Hosting a group of incriminating strangers—one of whom is a murderer—is a daunting task. Especially so if the party lasts the entire month without resolution. Besides, you will travel faster without me.”
The man and wife were impossible to watch, their tender gazes speaking what none of the others could hear. “Are you certain?” Cadogen asked, his jaw flinching.
There was a flash of hesitation in her expression, but it faded in a moment. “I am.”
He sighed. “Then, let’s discuss how we can keep you safe.”
The Lord Cadogen Rolland knew cowered to no one, but hiswife had a powerful hold over him that made a man strangely envious. They were devoted to each other, so much so that parting for even a week was a decision to wrestle with. Cadogen finally agreed to let her remain. He himself would stay a few days, just to make certain there was not something obvious the rest of them were missing.
Rolland was relieved to have their added company. He wondered if having Cadogen’s wife and Her Grace on his side would aid Theresia in her transformation into Marcus’s mysterious relative. There had been a great deal of questions about her from his friends, but he’d managed to keep her true identity a secret from everyone, including that she was now a Roma. He’d told his parents even less, relaying only that they were to expect an addition to their party the following night for dinner.
***
For the second day in a row, Theresia stood in the small drawing room in Rose Cottage. This time, she was in the company of two women near her own age—complete strangers sent by the captain to greet her. The women opposite her were far more relaxed than she was, but by the gleam in their eyes, they were equally curious about her as she was them. And why wouldn’t they be? She carried with her a traveling bag and her violin case and had naught else to her name. At least she did not have Poutník lying at her feet. She had been sorely tempted to bring the sweet thing along. Mrs. Bedrich had promised to find someone to care for the animal, but Theresia missed her already.
The first woman possessed a halo of white-blonde hair, soft blue eyes, and kind features. It was she who spoke first. “With no one to introduce us, we are forced to skip formalities. I am the Duchess of Westmorland, and I presume you are Lady Glass?”
Theduchess? What had the captain been thinking? AndTheresia was expected to lie about her identity to Her Grace? What if it was discovered that she had sneaked into Ashbury Court not once but thrice? She pictured her vase for courage and quickly dipped a curtsy, but it was not enough to convince her to deceive this angelic woman of great distinction. Opening her mouth to admit her true name, Theresia suddenly remembered Rolland’s words about saving lives. This was about more than her vase now. “Y-yes. I am Lady Glass.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet any friend of Captain Reese.” The duchess’s smile warmed the room and certainly did its part at putting Theresia more at ease. “This is my friend, Lady Cadogen.”
Theresia’s gaze pulled itself toward the intimidating beauty beside the duchess, and she curtsied again. Lady Cadogen’s thick black curls contrasted her milky skin, and the combination made her piercing blue eyes all the more striking. Her crimson lips greeted Theresia with a smile too, but Theresia was too busy wrapping her head around another title to return it.
“Please, let’s all sit down and acquaint ourselves,” Her Grace said.
Lady Cadogen spoke first once they were all seated, her demeanor suddenly quite serious. “I met Captain Reese for the first time last night, but my husband has known him for years. I was all too happy to join Her Grace this morning when I learned the captain had a friend in need. I’m so sorry to hear your trunk was stolen right off your carriage.” She raised her brow, as if waiting for Theresia to confirm the story.
“My trunk?” What was Lady Cadogen speaking about? “Um, well, that is...”
The duchess giggled. “Andalin, really. Can’t you see how you make her suffer?”
Lady Cadogen’s somber face split into a grin. “Iamtrying to be serious, Tansy, and you’re not helping. How do our husbands dothis sort of thing with any regularity?” Her eyes connected with Theresia’s. “Forgive me. Shall we begin again? Her Grace and I are here to dress you up and turn you out as a fine lady. And with your deportment already refined and your appearance... well, rather brilliant, I can see why the captain chose you for this part.”
Her Grace kept Theresia from having to respond when she added in a soothing voice, “Your nerves are understandable, but I assure you, Andalin—Lady Cadogen, that is—and I will be by your side the entire time. We shall cover for you should you forget any of the personal history Captain Reese would like you to learn.”
“I see.” Theresia hadn’t meant for her voice to sound so distrustful, but just because they were friends with Rolland did not mean they would transfer any loyalty to her.
Lady Cadogen’s mouth pulled into a small smile. “Let me reassure you, Lady Glass. You’re not the only one with secrets. Our pasts are very different from our presents. Once we were both poor creatures with little social standing. No one is as sympathetic as the two of us.”
Theresia tried to hide her astonishment. Why would Lady Cadogen tell a stranger such a thing when appearance was everything to Society? Indeed, these women seemed genuine enough, but she had done nothing to earn their trust. Their generosity was a rare gift of kindness, but what was their motive for giving it? “I thank you both, then.” Her guard lowered a fraction, but her wariness would not allow it to fall completely.
Why hadn’t Rolland come himself? Was he pawning her off to these women because of all of Mrs. Bedrich’s insinuations about marriage? He should have warned her, at the very least. Perhaps she should have left with Mrs. Bedrich and Johan after all.
But it was too late for such thoughts. She had bid her friends goodbye just before she had come to Rose Cottage. Theresiawould have to rely on her wits to see herself through the coming weeks, because at the end of the day, she could trust only herself.
“Shall we start with the gowns?” Lady Cadogen asked. “I rather like the idea of dressing someone up.”
“I suddenly feel like a child,” Theresia admitted.
