Page 65 of The Marquess and the Maiden

Harriet nodded. “Thank you.”

“You seem less than pleased.”

“Merely trying to grow accustomed to it. To say the marriage was sudden would be an understatement. I’m certain you’ve heard, by now, of the circumstances.”

Lady Somersby waved her hand. “What is done is done. You are safely married. Your reputation is no longer in question.”

“Though I suspect many of the matrons have marked their calendars to see if I’ll have a spring baby.”

Lady Somersby’s brows rose.

Harriet shook her head. “There will be no such child, unless, of course, it happens now.” Goodness, how did she get herself into these conversations? “My apologies, my lady.”

“Nonsense, Harriet. I was a young bride once.” Lady Somersby picked a piece of lint off her skirts. “It takes some getting used to, belonging to someone in the way you do when you marry. Regardless of the circumstances, be patient with yourself and with your husband.”

Harriet nodded. This was not what she wanted to talk about today. It was easy for Lady Somersby to hand out such wisdom; her husband was unabashedly in love with her. “Thank you for the advice. I came to inquire about the investigation into Lady X. Have any more details come to the surface?”

“I’m afraid not. And, in fact, the danger has grown more substantial.”

“Goodness, I hadn’t heard anything. I suppose I’ve been preoccupied as of late.”

“Nothing significant has happened other than threats. Several of our members, myself included, have received letters.”

Gracious. Had all of that happened while she’d been at Brookhaven? She wondered briefly if she’d received anything at her brother’s townhome. Perhaps any such post would not have reached her at Oliver’s. “Blackmail?”

She nodded. “For the most part, yes. This woman knows an alarming amount of information about our little group.” She put her hand on Harriet’s. “I know you want this to continue. I do, too, but it’s time for us to realize that it’s finished. I will not put anyone else in danger. We will let the metropolitan police handle the crimes in this city.”

Anger flared in her chest, warming her entire body. “Because they do such a spectacular job at it?” Harriet asked, not bothering to temper her tone.

“If there was another way, I would…” Lady Somersby shook her head. “The Brotherhood has deemed it unsafe for us to participate in any such activities for the foreseeable future.”

“In other words, the Ladies of Virtue is no more?”

“What’s done is done. I’m sorry, Harriet, I know this means a lot to you. It does for me, too.” She came to her feet. “I trust you can see yourself out.” Then she left the room.

Harriet had never seen Lady Somersby so defeated. She was a vivacious woman, but right now she was scared, well and truly scared. Someone had to do something about this mysterious Lady X.

There was only one person in London who had seen the woman. Lord Ashby had met with her when she had contacted him at his newspaper about a story of ladies who secretly disposed of crime. If anyone could find her, Lord Ashby would know how.

…

As she was led into Lord Ashby’s townhome, it occurred to her that she and Iris had missed each other’s weddings. The new Lady Ashby would be here as well.

Harriet was led to their parlor where they both sat reading. “My apologies for interrupting.”

“Harriet!” Iris stood and embraced her friend. “I’m sorry for not being there for your wedding. I do hope you understand I was unable to get away.”

Harriet waved her hand. “You had your own ceremony to prepare for. Mine was unexpected, to say the least. I hate that I missed yours. I heard it was lovely.”

Iris smiled warmly at her husband, Merritt. “It truly was.”

Enough with the pleasantries. They could catch up with each other at a later date. Right now, she had a far more important task at hand. “I need to meet with Lady X,” she said. “Can you still contact her, my lord?”

Merritt frowned.

“What is the matter, Harriet?”

“Nothing. I am weary of some faceless, nameless woman stealing from us what we have all worked so damned hard for.”

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