What a Spinster Wants - Rebecca Connolly Page 0,36

I know little of Miss Wright, but she is outspoken, which suits the tone I have found in the Chronicles as I’ve read them. Lady Edith possesses spirit and wit, such as can be found there, as well. I confess to having more difficulties imagining Mrs. Vale and Mrs. Morton taking part, but it’s certainly not outside the realm of possibility.” He sat back against his chair and restrained a smile. “Any other surprises?”

Ingram made a face, shaking his head. “Having a friend who is a patron of the field of logic takes the enjoyment out of everything. No, there are no other surprises, devil take you.”

“This is the most entertainment I’ve had in ages,” Henshaw proclaimed with a wide grin. “Quick, think of something else.”

That wasn’t likely; Graham was not one to make a habit of light or ridiculous banter, even among his friends. Despite the treatment and statements of those at the table, he couldn’t count these men among them.

Not yet.

“Speaking of Edith,” Tony commented, deftly changing the subject, “have any decisions been made? Georgie didn’t say.”

“That’s a first,” came a muffled muttering from Cam’s general vicinity.

Was it? Interesting.

“She’s having Amelia Perry stay with her,” Henshaw informed them. “I believe she arrived yesterday.”

“I can’t believe the Perrys agreed to that.” Cam shook his head. “I like Amelia a great deal, but this is just putting another woman in harm’s way. Do her parents have the details?”

Henshaw shrugged. “All I’ve been told is that they know what they need to. Amelia is very determined.”

Graham shook his head firmly. “I’ve heard of widows of a young age hiring a companion for themselves, and even of sponsoring younger ladies for a Season. But this? It’s certainly not… orthodox.” He winced at the word, wondering if his opinion would be taken as passing judgment when it was never intended as such.

But it only led to a round of chuckles. “Welcome to life with the Spinsters, Radcliffe. With a capital S, mind.”

“Noted.” He looked around at them again. “Is this really the best option?”

“Of course not,” Tony replied without missing a beat. “It’s only the easiest.”

Now that was most certainly not true, and he took no pains to adjust his facial expression to claim otherwise. “Surely, it would be easier to install Lady Edith into someone else’s home,” he said flatly. “She would undoubtedly be safer, and no one else would be put into a potentially harmful situation.”

“Sir Reginald would find that suspect,” Henshaw told him. “Edith hasn’t made a point of staying with anybody else since her arrival in London.”

“So, take her out of London.” Really, was it so difficult to put these pieces together? “Surely, not everyone in this group thrives upon being in London for the Season.”

Tony’s mouth curved in an almost smile. “You forget one thing, Radcliffe.”

Graham turned his attention to the smug captain. “Do I?”

“Edith is looking for security and protection among Society. She is making concentrated efforts to increase her social appearances and take up more engagements.” He shrugged his broad shoulders, seeming amused by something Graham did not understand. “Taking her out of London defeats that purpose quite soundly.”

“She joined Grace and me in Derbyshire after Christmas,” Ingram pointed out. “I’ve never seen her happier. She joined us in the evenings, regaled us with stories from Scotland, walked the estate despite the cold, painted daily. She even snuck down to the kitchens in the middle of the night.”

Cam coughed in surprise. “How the blazes do you know that, Aubrey?”

Ingram grinned without shame. “I was doing the same. Bit awkward to be seen in my nightshirt and dressing gown by a guest in my home, but we had a laugh over it. She would get out of London in an instant if she could; she belongs out in the country in a quiet estate. The fact that she is remaining in London and going out in Society is proof enough of her commitment.”

The image of Lady Edith Leveson sneaking around a country estate in her nightclothes was not one that would leave Graham’s mind any time soon. He swallowed and shifted in his seat, trying to do so as unobtrusively as possible.

Did Edith wander about with her hair down or plaited?

Graham shook his head slightly, forcing the impertinent thought back. There was no point in dwelling on that question, though the idea of her dark, treacle-colored tresses waving down her back in loose curls did have a certain appeal.

Curses…

“The point is,” Ingram went on, blessedly taking Graham