Page 14 of The Marquess and the Maiden

Chapter Four

Harriet sat next to Agnes and several other members of the Ladies of Virtue waiting in Lady Somersby’s parlor. Iris was notably missing.

“This must be about the article,” Agnes said quietly.

They had both been at Iris’s house only the day before when Lady Somersby had come by to discuss a certain article that had been printed about their organization. It didn’t list names, didn’t give any details as to who might be involved, but it did clearly announce that somewhere in the city there were proper ladies fighting crime.

Though it wasn’t directly Iris’s fault, her involvement with Lord Ashby had led him to investigate their group. Lady Somersby had not been pleased. Iris was distraught. Panic crept up Harriet’s throat as if someone’s hand choked her. The Ladies of Virtue was so vital to her personal happiness.

She didn’t have suitors or a husband as the other women did. She wasn’t creative and clever the way Agnes was with her weaponry designs. No, for Harriet, her life had been intended for her to marry well and be the perfect little wife. When she’d failed to accomplish that, she’d thrown herself fully into her group and without it, she had nothing. She was nothing.

“What do you suppose she’ll do?” Harriet asked.

They didn’t have to wait to find out, as that moment Lady Somersby swept into the room, followed by Lord Somersby. He was a giant of a man, broad and muscular and handsome enough in the middle of his fourth decade that Harriet suspected that in his prime he’d been the epitome of male beauty. He leaned against the fireplace, his large arms crossed over his chest.

“This isn’t going to be a long meeting,” Lady Somersby said. “Nor will it be a pleasant one.”

Murmurs filled the room, followed by an uncomfortable silence.

“Our group has been compromised,” Lady Somersby said. “I’m certain many of you have seen the article printed about us. Though we weren’t named, nor our identities revealed, it is safe to assume that people will be watching and wanting to play detective to see if they can uncover the truth.”

Lord Somersby had still not spoken, but his gaze swept across the room. Harriet got the strange impression he was watching them. She elbowed Agnes, then shifted her eyes to silently communicate to her friend. Agnes glanced his way, and her jaw tightened. He never attended their meetings, though on occasion he had stopped by at the end to kiss his wife’s cheek and nod to the rest of them.

“Therefore,” Lady Somersby continued, “it has become clear to me that in order to keep us all safe, we must end our activities effective immediately.”

Shock echoed through the room in everyone’s gasps and collective nos.

“We will still meet here weekly and do what everyone believes we do, put all of our efforts into our charitable duties. But as of right now, there will be no more training, no more guarding the streets or seeking out crimes to tend to.”

“How long?” someone from the back row asked.

“Until we know the identity of Lady X, at the very earliest,” Lady Somersby said. “In addition, we’ll be calling each of you in separately to ask some questions in hopes of resolving this as soon as possible.”

Did that mean they suspected Lady X was a member of their group? Or was it merely that they wanted to see if anyone knew anything that could assist in the investigation?

“Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have another engagement we must depart for,” Lady Somersby continued. “Please enjoy the tea and cakes, and you’re still welcome to play cards.”

Harriet saw the red rings around Lady Somersby’s eyes, the faint shake of her hands. She was just as distraught about this as they were.

“This is quite obviously Iris’s fault,” Patricia said. “She’s been spending a scandalous amount of time with that Lord Ashby. And then this story gets printed in his gossip rag. That doesn’t sound like a coincidence to me.”

“She should have known he was not to be trusted,” Marion said. “This is likely why she didn’t even have the courage to show her face today.”

“She is our friend,” Harriet said. The friend who always stood up for Harriet when others were cruel. Harriet whipped around to face the other women. Patricia and Marion had never been Harriet’s favorite people. She’d been reluctant when they’d been recruited. Still she had to admit that they had their useful skills. “This is not Iris’s fault.”

Agnes pressed a hand to Harriet’s arm. “It isn’t worth it.”

“Well, of course you would say that,” Patricia said. “But consider what Iris’s selfishness and recklessness have cost all of us.” She clicked her tongue and shook her head. “We were doing good in this town, making a difference, and now it must all come to an end.”

“Because of Lady X, not Iris,” Harriet fumed. “We should be doing everything we can to uncover her identity, not blame one of our own.”

“Lady X could be one of our own,” Agnes said.

Marion sucked in a breath as if she hadn’t even considered such a thing.

“Ladies,” Lady Somersby interjected. “There is nothing more that can be done today. Suffice it to say there are still people in this town who will do what they can to keep the rest of us safe.” She glanced warmly at her husband. “For now, we are not part of that. And blaming one another does not help.”

Harriet slowed her breathing. She’d never been this furious. It seemed ridiculous that merely defending Iris could have riled her up this way. Then she realized with stunning clarity that she, too, was angry with Iris. She didn’t blame her, but it did seem as if some of the blame rested on her. Not all, but some. Had she not been so reckless in her behavior with Lord Ashby, he would have been none the wiser about their secret group and the skills they possessed.

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