What a Spinster Wants - Rebecca Connolly Page 0,24
swayed a little into Lord Radcliffe.
He bolstered her up at once even as Lieutenant Henshaw swore, and started away.
“Not here,” Edith begged, grabbing his sleeve. “Not now.”
He looked at her for a long moment. “Very well, Edith. But soon.”
There was no questioning him, so Edith only nodded once more.
“Lady Edith, perhaps now formally I should introduce you to Lord Radcliffe? As it appears he is now caught up in this, as well.” Aubrey gestured to him. “Radcliffe, Lady Edith Leveson.”
Lord Radcliffe looked at Edith, and there was a small hint of a smile on his face.
“Charmed,” he said in a droll tone, giving her a nod.
“You’re a hero, Lord Radcliffe,” she told him, bobbing a makeshift curtsey. “Twice now.”
He removed his hand from her waist and took her hand in his. “I told you before, madam, I am no hero.” He pressed a polite kiss to her glove, though the sensation of it raced up her arm as if to soothe the pain Sir Reginald had caused there. “But a third time may change my mind.”
“I know how you hate heroics, so I shall venture not to require you.” She tried for a cheeky smile, praying he would take the show of levity for what it was.
His eyes showed a bit of amusement, though his face did not. “I would be most appreciative.” He bowed, and made eye contact with Aubrey, apparently communicating some message as both men nodded. Then, with a final nod to Edith, he left the group.
Without another word, Edith was ushered into the box, and seated out of sight of any other guests of the theatre while Grace and Prue descended upon her.
“Darling, what happened?” Grace pleaded, her fingers tracing the damage of her gown.
“Edith, a-are y-you q-q-q…?” Prue’s distress returned her stammer to its former notoriety, and she bit her lip to keep herself from stammering further as she took Edith’s hand in her own.
“Dinna fash,” Edith soothed as much as she was able, though she felt her body tremble in earnest now that she was fully removed from the situation. “I’m well enough.”
Grace’s fair brow creased at that. “But what…?”
“My love,” Aubrey said firmly, cutting her off as he settled a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Now is not the time, and this is not the place.”
“No, indeed,” Cam agreed as he gestured for his wife to come to him.
She did so, and he rubbed soothing circles on her back, whispering to her, no doubt to calm her anxieties and set her to rights. He was so good at that, and just what Prue needed.
If only someone could set Edith and her life to rights. That would solve everything.
“But,” Aubrey went on, his tone very serious indeed, “may I suggest that we leave before the second act has concluded, and that we continue this conversation at our home immediately after our departure? I don’t think we can waste another moment, quite frankly; nor do I think we ought to.”
“Agreed,” Lieutenant Henshaw intoned gravely, one hand resting on the scabbard he still wore at his side, not nearly as decorative as the rest of his regimental uniform.
Grace’s soft, kind, loving voice broke through her resistance, and Edith felt herself slump in her chair, her head lowering as the tears once more began to fall.
“Aye,” she whispered, the words barely audible. “Aye, I’ll tell ye all of it.”
Chapter Six
A little investment can get a body in a great deal of trouble. One ought to take care to only take an interest in matters that concern them, and in which they will not mind devoting their attention. Once you are in, it is very, very difficult to get back out again.
-The Spinster Chronicles, 17 February 1817
This was a mistake.
Graham wasn’t sure how he knew that, but know it, he did. How else could he explain the overwhelming feeling of dread encompassing him in the carriage as he rattled his way towards the Ingrams’ home? His stomach clenched in apprehension, wondering faintly if he shouldn’t have remained at the theatre with Tyrone and the Sterlings.
But if he had, he wouldn’t know what was going on in the life of Lady Edith Leveson.
Coming to the aid of Lady Edith hadn’t been part of his plans that night, nor had he intended the action to bring him into her confidence, or that of anyone else in her circle. But he would not deny that he was growing more and