Solving Sophronia (The Blue Orchid Society, #1)

by Jennifer Moore

  Cover image: Regency Woman on Grand Building Steps © ILINA SIMEONOVA / Trevillion Images

  Cover design by Natalie Brown

  Cover design copyright © 2020 by Covenant Communications, Inc.

  Published by Covenant Communications, Inc.

  American Fork, Utah

  Copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Moore

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any format or in any medium without the written permission of the publisher, Covenant Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 416, American Fork, UT 84003. The views expressed within this work are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Covenant Communications, Inc., or any other entity.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are either products of the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real, or are used fictitiously.

  ISBN: 978-1-52441-237-1

  For Margot,

  the Crabtree to my Higgins

  Praise for

  Jennifer Moore

  “All the delightful characters, historical detail, and charm I expect from a Jennifer Moore novel, along with a new time period and a clever mystery that keeps those pages turning. I can’t wait to see what the rest of this series holds!”

  —Josi S. Kilpack, author Rakes and Roses

  “Jennifer Moore’s new series, The Blue Orchid Society, is off to a spectacular start with Solving Sophronia. We have all the hallmarks of the author’s creative dialogue, beautiful prose, and impeccable research, set in atmospheric Victorian London. The reader is subtly and deftly drawn into the story, sinking into Sophie’s mind and heart, which are timely representations of a young woman’s desire to stretch beyond traditional boundaries and utilize her skills. Reading Solving Sophronia was an absolute pleasure; this author tells a darn good story.”

  —Nancy Campbell Allen, author Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

  “Moore . . . launches her vivid Victorian-era Blue Orchid Society series with this romantic murder mystery that sees a gutsy upper-class Londoner defying the rigid expectations of her time.

  “The detailed descriptions and gentle push and pull between the couple will please readers looking for chaste historical romance. A plucky heroine and engrossing mystery make this a treat.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  Acknowledgments

  Trying something new is truly scary, and this story and series are like nothing I’ve ever done before. The genre and time period really made me stretch. And plotting out five books at a time was more complicated than I thought it would be. So I am enormously grateful to the people who helped turn my scattered thoughts and unsure ideas into a book.

  First of all, so much thanks to my sister, Mandy Kimball. When I asked if she had any ideas of where to research Victorian-era crime solving, she brought me a stack of criminal justice and Jack the Ripper books. She’s been an indispensable source of weird, interesting, and sometimes really creepy information as I tried to figure out how this mystery could play out.

  Carla Kelly (The Unlikely Spy Catchers) was, as always, full of ideas for research sources—newsletters, movies, books, etc.—to give me a feel for the time period. That woman knows where to find anything—including yummy restaurants.

  Jen Geigle Johnson (A Lady’s Maid), thank you so much for your excellent information about women’s suffrage in England. Your love of the subject radiates in your words and books.

  Esther Hatch (A Proper Scandal) and Marion Jensen (Searching for Super), thank you for helping me figure out the Russian bit of the story.

  And my dad, Ed (Starješina) Lunt, thank you for helping me with the Serbian names and history.

  As always, thank you to my critique partners: Josi Kilpack (Rakes and Roses) and Nancy Campbell Allen (The Lady in the Coppergate Tower) for all the brainstorming and plotting and character help. There is so much of you two in this story, and at times, it felt like you understood what I was trying to do better than I did.

  Margot Hovley (Glimmering Light), thank you for being my reader, for keeping me accountable every day, and for fully joining my obsession with Murdoch Mysteries.

  Thank you to my publisher, Covenant Communications, for taking a chance on me and on this series. Kami Hancock, your editing goes above and beyond fixing punctuation, and I’m so grateful for your listening ear and marvelous ideas. Natalie Brown, this cover is splendid. You perfectly captured the feel I was looking for but couldn’t quite explain.

  And always, thanks to Frank and my boys: James, Ben, Andrew, and Joey. Having a mom who spends so much time in imaginary worlds gets old and, I’m sure, frustrating. Thanks for being patient and for understanding when I forget things because I’m writing. You five guys are my heart.

  Prologue

  April 19, 1873

  Lady Sophronia Bremerton glanced toward the ballroom doors, calculating her chances of a discreet exit. Her Ladyship the Marchioness of Molyneaux’s invitation to her annual ball held the Saturday after Easter was the most coveted of the Season; therefore, Sophie could hardly claim boredom as her reason for wishing to leave.

  The Viscount of Kensington and Lord Hawthorne had already claimed a waltz, and three separate countesses had offered to accompany Sophie to A Private View at the Royal Academy. But Sophie didn’t flatter herself that her charms or others’ desire for her company were to be credited for the attention. Rather, her position as a society reporter for the Illustrated London News made the members of England’s upper class either seek her out or deliberately avoid her.

  The grand clock echoed through the ballroom, chiming eleven. She’d arrived just after nine. Two hours of dancing and socializing should sufficiently please her parents. She looked across the room, trying to catch a glimpse of the feathers in her mother’s hair. Truth be told, her parents would likely not notice her absence—not when her sister had waltzed with the future Duke of Norwood.

  Moving at a quick pace, Sophie made her escape. She hurried along the edge of the crowded ballroom toward the entrance, giving only polite nods and avoiding direct eye contact with anyone who might hope to bend her ear with a whisper of gossip.

  Reporting rumors, scandals, and on-dits of the upper class was her occupation, but tonight she had no interest in discovering a story. She already knew what her next report would be, and it was hardly news. She smirked, certain the young lady involved would feign adequate surprise when the announcement was made, as would the other guests. London Society kept a secret as effectively as a wicker basket held water.

  Tonight the Marquess of Molyneaux was to announce the engagement of his son and heir, Lord Ruben. The identity of the lucky young lady who would one day become the marchioness was, of course, taken for granted. Lord Ruben and Miss Dahlia Lancaster had carried on the most intentionally visible and highly gossiped-about courtship in decades. Sophie had written so many articles and created enough illustrations of the pair that she was relieved the nonsense would finally come to an end. She would, however, need to endure a conspicuous engagement . . . and then the wedding.

  Sophie blew out a breath as she neared the doorway. How she longed to move away from the society columns and turn her skills to uncovering a real story—an important story about something that mattered, not just which member of high Society wore the most extravagant gown or had deliberately avoided a particular soiree to spite a rival. Unfortunately, Mr. Leonard, the editor of the broadsheet paper, valued Sophie’s artistic ability and access to high-Society events abov
e her investigative skills.

  “Lady Sophronia?”

  Drat. The voice was too near for Sophie to pretend she hadn’t heard. She masked her irritation with a pleasant smile and turned.

  Lord Everleigh stepped around a group of matrons. When he reached Sophie, he took her hand and bowed stiffly. “Good evening.”

  As usual, the man’s clothing was impeccable. Slender and pale-skinned, he wore his fair hair short, parted smartly on the side. A waxed mustache graced his upper lip. Sophie inclined her head. “Lord Everleigh.”

  “I’d hoped to engage your sister for the next waltz.” He released her hand and clasped his own behind his back, glancing toward the dancers. “Have you an idea where I might find her?”

  Sophie should have guessed his reason for stopping her. She and the future Earl of Kirkham had only exchanged the briefest greetings in the past, and although they moved in the same social circles, she would hardly call the man more than a very remote acquaintance.

  “I believe she is there, near the west windows.” Sophie lifted her chin toward the far side of the ballroom, where a cluster of young ladies gossiped and preened. Her younger sister, Priscilla, was no doubt the very center of the group. “At least, that is where I last saw her.”

  “Very good. Thank you.” He moved as if to leave but stopped, perhaps thinking it rude not to bestow a compliment or at least engage in some conversation.

  For her part, Sophie was perfectly happy to forego niceties and hasten her departure.

  “I, ah, enjoyed your latest article, my lady.” Lord Everleigh ran a finger over his mustache and glanced across the ballroom again. “Something about spring fashions on the Brighton Palace Pier, wasn’t it?” He looked down at her and nodded. “Very cute.”

  Sophie bowed her head so he couldn’t see her nostrils flare. She was so tired of patronizing tones when it came to her work. I am beyond ready to move on to something real. “Thank you, my lord.”

  “If you’ll excuse me.” He straightened his neckcloth, making the large ruby of his tiepin gleam in the light of the gas lamps, gave another bow, and then strode away.

  That ruby tiepin, given to him by Lord Ruben—who thought the gem a clever play on his name—identified Lord Everleigh as a member of an elite group: the West End Casanovas. Sophie had first used the appellation in an article, intending it as sarcasm, but the group had been delighted by the moniker and had adopted it as their own. The five Casanovas were extremely handsome and tremendously wealthy young men, each coming from old and established families and each an heir apparent to a high-ranking title. The men had attended school together at Eton and university at Oxford and were considered by all of London to be the most eligible bachelors in the kingdom. They were the future leaders of the country, and nearly every unattached young lady and her mother aspired to catch the attention of one of them.

  Sophie suspected Lord Ruben, as self-appointed leader of the group, had delayed his engagement for just that reason. Though he had courted Dahlia Lancaster for two Seasons, his attentions had by no means been exclusively to her. He enjoyed the role of flirt, and Sophie thought he must be reluctant to give up the game and commit to matrimony.

  Before anyone else could approach her, she quickly made her way through the entrance and down the wide passageway of the grand London home, passing sculptures and paintings but giving them hardly a look as she walked on the thick carpet of a side passage. Surely there was a quiet room where she could find respite from false smiles, petty gossip, and backhanded compliments.

  Ahead a band of light glowed beneath a door. When she pulled it open and peeked inside, wooden shelves, heavy with leather books, glowed in the light of gas lamps. Before the lit hearth was a deep sofa and plush leather chairs that implored her to set herself at ease, forget her insecurities and frustrations, and pretend the ball was far away.

  Stepping across the threshold, Sophie felt lighter already. She lowered herself into a soft armchair, rested her head back, and closed her eyes. Even before the newspaper had employed her, she’d dreaded situations in which she was expected to play the games of Society. Acting one way and thinking another was contrary to her nature, a trait that did little to win friends or the approval of her parents.

  And the discomfort had only become greater when Priscilla was launched into Society last year at the age of eighteen. Sophie was only two-and-a-half years older, and sisters so close in age naturally invited comparison; next to Prissy, Sophie’s shortcomings felt all the more obvious. She wasn’t tall, blonde, and slender like her sister, but short with drab brown hair, and she struggled to keep her waist shapely, even with the strongest whalebone corset.

  Hearing a sound, she started from her thoughts, rose quickly to her feet, and looked around the room.

  On a chair in the darkened far corner, a young woman hunched over with her face in her hands, elbows on her knees.

  Sophie cleared her throat, uncertain what to say. “I beg your pardon. I did not realize anyone was here.” Now that Sophie saw her, she realized the woman’s breath was coming in gasps, a sound she’d first assumed was made by the fire. Sophie walked nearer and crouched down as sympathy replaced her unease. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

  The woman raised her face, and Sophie recognized her as Miss Hazel Thornton. Though Sophie didn’t know her personally, she had heard the young woman had recently come to live with relatives in London while her father, a general in Her Majesty’s army, was stationed in Africa. Sophie had heard rumors that Miss Thornton had endured some trauma in India and was prone to attacks of panic. She presumed the poor woman was experiencing one at the moment.

  Sophie raised her brows at the young lady’s chalky complexion and damp forehead. “Are you all right?”

  “No. I mean yes.” Miss Thornton’s hands shook, and she rubbed her eyes. “I’m sorry, Lady Sophronia. Yes, I am all right. I just needed a moment away from the crowd.”

  Sophie nodded. “I certainly understand that.”

  Miss Thornton closed her eyes and breathed deeply as if calming herself.

  “Can I get you anything?” Sophie asked. “I could find a servant to bring tea, or . . .”

  Miss Thornton shook her head. “No. Just a moment of quiet, and I will be well.”

  Sophie was not convinced. She pulled a chair closer and sat, hoping conversation would provide a welcome distraction from the young woman’s distress. “I believe I’ve heard you attend nurse-training school. Is that right, Miss Thornton?”

  “Yes.” She looked down, and a flush covered her neck. “But I’ve had to suspend my attendance due to . . . panic episodes.”

  Sophie grimaced, thinking she’d brought up an issue too sensitive. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Silly, isn’t it?”

  “Absolutely not.” Sophie placed a hand on the arm of the young lady’s chair. “If these episodes prevent you from being who you’re meant to be, they are a completely legitimate concern.” She gave an encouraging nod.

  “And I believe you write for the society column.”

  “I do.” Sophie pinched her lips together, feeling a resurgence of frustration. “But I intend to move on to something more . . . important.”

  “If that is your wish, I hope you do.” Miss Thornton smiled.

  Sophie noticed some of the color had returned to the young woman’s face. Her trembling seemed to have lessened. “Thank you, Miss Thornton. And I hope you are able to return to nursing school.”

  The ladies continued in conversation, and Sophie was surprised when she glanced at the clock on the mantel and saw the hour was past midnight. She turned back to her companion and was about to comment on the passage of time when, across the room, the windowed door leading to the garden swung open. A young woman in a lavender gown stepped inside, looked back before closing the door, then leaned against it and exhaled heavily.

  When sh
e glanced across the room and saw Sophie and Miss Thornton, the woman’s eyes went wide. “Hello, there.”

  Sophie knew the woman to be a Miss Elizabeth Miller, though she had not formed more than a polite acquaintance with her. Dahlia Lancaster, the young lady who was any moment to be engaged to Lord Ruben, was Miss Miller’s cousin.

  “I take it you are escaping the ball as well?” Sophie smiled wryly at the happy coincidence of the three meeting up in the library.

  “Yes.” Miss Miller flicked a strand of hair from her face. “Luckily I managed to get away before Lord Chatsworth asked for another dance. The nerve of that man . . . utterly pretentious.” She stopped and closed her mouth, clasping her hands before her as if just now remembering her manners. “How do you do, Lady Sophronia? Miss Thornton?” She inclined her head to each of the women in turn.

  Sophie smiled at the outspoken young lady and motioned her forward with a sweep of her arm. “Very well, and please, do join our little band of fugitives.”

  “How do you do, Miss Miller?” Miss Thornton’s voice sounded much steadier than it had an hour earlier. “You look very pretty this evening. What a beautiful gown.”

  Miss Miller waved her hand in the air dismissively, then grimaced. “I thank you for the compliment, but if I could remove this infernal corset without completely disrobing, I’d throw the contraption into the fire.” She pressed both hands at the sides of her waist and took a breath that Sophie knew from experience must only partially fill her lungs. “Honestly, whoever decided a woman was only fashionable if her breathing was restricted had a brain the size of . . .” She trailed off, her gaze moving around the room. “Oh my. What a marvelous library.”

  Sophie shared a smile with Miss Thornton as their new companion strolled around looking through the different books and periodicals.

  Miss Miller dug through a stack of broadsheets on a side table. “I don’t suppose the marquess keeps a copy of the Women’s Suffrage Journal, do you?”