“We’re drawing too much attention to the society, Ginny. I fear we may end up suffering for it.”
Ginny held open her hands. “How? You own the house, we are all here of our own volition. If someone chooses not to be a member, there’s nothing to keep her from leaving.”
Edwina shook her head, worried. “If people feel that we are influencing their daughters in negative ways, then our lives could become exceedingly difficult. Besides, I don’t want to be the cause of pitting daughters and their fathers against each other.”
“Don’t you mean parents?” Ginny’s smile was gentle.
“Of course.” Edwina looked down at her hands. “Although when the issue arises, I can’t help but bemoan the discord my father and I suffered. If there’s a way to avoid it, then we should do our utmost.”
Ginny grasped her hand. “And if you had to do it all over again, would you not have founded the society?”
“If I had it all to do again I would’ve managed things better. Especially with my father. The way I told him about what I was doing with the society, the arguments, the shouting, the crying…” Pressing her face into her hand, she groaned. “When it comes to him I often feel like a caged bird smacking against the bars. And I’m not exactly…rational.”
“He’s your father; it hurts that he doesn’t understand you.”
“But I push him. I wish that I knew some way to handle things more diplomatically.” Sighing, Edwina wondered if things might be different since she now had the benefit of Prescott’s friendship. Mayhap she could learn from his example how to deal with people?
“Somehow I doubt diplomacy would work very well with the Earl of Wootten-Barrett.” Ginny rubbed Edwina’s back. “Have you had any word from your father?”
“Nay.” Edwina brought her mind back to reality. “I’m praying Lady Ross was making idle threats about writing to him.”
“And when he does find out?”
Shrugging, Edwina looked up. “It will be long over and my father will be counting himself blessed that he avoided such a carriage wreck to his precious lineage.”
Ginny’s brow furrowed and her pale blue eyes looked troubled. “But what of you, Edwina? Will you be counting yourself blessed that it’s ended with Mr. Devane? You seem much attached.”
Edwina opened her mouth to protest, but Ginny held up a hand. “I see how you stare out the window when he’s expected. And how you blush every time his name is even mentioned. But it’s the way that you light up when he enters a room that makes me wonder if you’re as detached as you claim.”
Edwina’s cheeks flamed; she was mortified that Ginny had noticed. Who else had observed her reactions?
“To everyone else it’s a perfectly reasonable response for a woman in love, which suits our ruse just fine. But I know you, Edwina, and acting is not exactly your forte.”
“So I’m a bit smitten.” Edwina shrugged and gave Ginny a reassuring smile. “But it’s a lighthearted flirtation, nothing more.”
“You, lighthearted? That’s like calling Janelle lovable.”
Edwina forced a smile. “Prescott Devane can charm the paint off a fence, Ginny. It’s hard not to like him. But that doesn’t mean that my heart’s engaged.”
Grasping Edwina’s hands in hers, Ginny shook her head. “Please understand that I have nothing against Mr. Devane. I simply worry about you. When you care about someone, you commit everything, Edwina. He’s a man with the reputation for enjoying many different women’s company. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Dropping Ginny’s hands, Edwina turned and stepped over to the window to stare down at the street once more. “Well, you need not fear, Ginny, for Prescott is already making plans for his future, and they don’t include me. What we have is a short time together to clean up this nasty blackmail business and then he’ll be gone.” At the reminder, a pinch of anxiety pricked her chest. She’d better repair things between Prescott and herself as there was so little time! “We’re just friends.”
Ginny pursed her lips, her gaze thoughtful. “If you say so.” Then she exhaled and her face cleared. “I told the ladies who wish to be considered for the society that we’ll make all decisions within the month. I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds on that one.”
Forcing away all wistful thoughts, Edwina turned. “Of course not. That should be plenty of time for us to sort things out.”
“Don’t you mean sort them out?” Ginny raised a brow. “I worry that some of the applicants are not quite…”
“Earnest in their quest for improvement?”
“Exactly.”
“I agree, it’s a bit of a challenge to separate the wheat from the chaff. On the one hand we don’t want to turn away a woman who is truly interested in enrichment and learning. But then again, if we take in too many people, especially if their interest is superficial, then it might dilute our foundation, and I would hate to lose the sense of community we’ve developed.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Edwina. But how to manage the whole business? There’s no handbook on such things, is there?”
“There seems to be one for just about everything else…” Edwina muttered. Then she shook her head, feeling at a loss. “I will think on it. This is a critical juncture in the history of our society, Ginny. I would hate to make a misstep.”
“There you are!” Janelle called from the threshold. She waved an ivory card in her hand as she glided into the room, her teal muslin gown swooshing with every step. “We’ve got it!” Her greenish blue eyes were bright with excitement and a satisfied smile played over her lips. “Pack your bags, ladies, for you’re going to the country!”
“Edwina’s gotten the invitation to the Kendrick estate?” Ginny reached over and grasped Edwina’s hands.
Janelle waved the ivory card in the air. “Yes, she has.”
“I can’t believe it!” Edwina threw her arms around Ginny and hugged her close, pressing her nose into Ginny’s soft hair. The delicate scent of lavender her friend wore washed over her.
“That means we’re all invited now,” Janelle declared.
“We? But I thought you weren’t coming?”
Janelle made a face. “I’m certainly not shipping you two off to face the lions alone!”
Ginny reached for her friend and pulled her into the circle with Edwina. Despite Edwina’s face being crushed into Janelle’s rose-scented shoulder, it felt wonderful.
“Oh, you know how I loathe sentimentality, Ginny.” Janelle moved away and pulled a linen from the knitted reticule hanging from her wrist. Pressing it to the corner of her eye, she sniffed.
“Are you crying?” Edwina’s eyes were wide with wonder.
“Of course not.” Janelle stuffed the linen away. “It’s simply a reaction to the dreadful perfume you’re wearing.”
Ginny caught Edwina’s gaze and smiled. Edwina felt her heart warm in response. This vile scrape had brought them closer together than Edwina had ever thought possible. That, and Prescott Devane.
As if conjured up from her mind, Winnows stepped into the room announcing, “Mr. Devane has arrived. Shall I show him in?”
A thrill rocketed in Edwina’s chest, but she tried to temper her reaction, saying quietly, “Please do.” There was nothing, however, that she could do about her faithless cheeks.
“Oh, I can’t wait to tell him.” Janelle exhaled. “And show him the map of Kendrick manor.”
“You got a map? From where?” Edwina asked, amazed.
“It was Prescott’s idea to find out if any renovations had been made recently and to see if we could see a copy of the architectural diagrams. The Lynnwood Architectural Society had copies of the most recent renovations to the great hall, done in 1801.”
“Why that’s ingenious! I wish I’d thought of that!”
Janelle wagged a raised finger. “And we were able to get some sketches of the gardens as well. Mr. Francis Butterfield designed the gardens just last year and published his sketches in a
pattern book. They have a very picturesque feel and I look forward to exploring them myself. Perhaps you and I can take one of those invigorating walks you like so much, Edwina.”
Would wonders never cease? “Of course,” Edwina replied, blinking. “That would be lovely.”
“Mr. Devane,” Winnows announced.
Prescott strolled into the drawing room and Edwina’s heart fluttered in her chest and her cheeks warmed, as did the rest of her body as if lit to flame. She had to contain herself from rushing forward to greet him and instead dipped slightly with a nod in greeting.
He looked notably handsome today in a bishop’s blue morning coat with bright brass buttons leading down to his slim waist where the fronts sloped off, showing tight white breeches tucked into glossy Hessians.
Edwina was relieved to see that his handsome face was smooth and carefree; gone was the dark cloud that had permeated his mien yesterday.
“Hello, ladies,” he drawled in that deep rumble that Edwina felt low in her belly.
Ginny and Janelle nodded in welcome.
Edwina smoothed her lemon yellow skirts, hoping that she hadn’t wrinkled the delicate muslin. Then she looked up and caught the amused glint in his emerald gaze. Her belly flipped, but she managed to raise a brow.
“You look lovely, Edwina. That color becomes you.”
Perhaps Prescott wanted things to be all well and good between them also. He certainly seemed more genial toward her than when they’d parted.
“Enough about Edwina’s new gowns.” Janelle waved the card. “I have the most wonderful news! We’ve secured the final invitations to the Kendrick manor. Now we’re all going!”
“That is auspicious news, indeed.” Striding toward them, Prescott reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sheaf of foolscap. “And I’ve managed to procure the guest list.”
Edwina clapped her hands. “How wonderful!”
Handing Prescott the invitation, Janelle moved to stand beside him. “The architectural plans are in the library, awaiting your review. Lucy should have the pattern book with the garden sketches later today.”
“Excellent work.” Prescott nodded. “I think you might have the makings of a Bow Street Runner, yet.”
Tilting her head, Janelle practically preened. “Oh, it was nothing, really.”
Ginny stepped forward, wringing her hands. “Is there anything else we can do to prepare? I feel like everything is such a rush, how can we have everything we need?”
“Don’t fret for Edwina, Ginny,” Prescott soothed. “Against the four of us, the blackmailer doesn’t stand a chance.”
Janelle shot the two women a warning glance not to correct him, then moved toward the door. “I will call for tea and we can review the guest list.”
Prescott handed her the foolscap. “You and Ginny go ahead. Edwina and I have an appointment.”
Edwina straightened. “Really? With whom?”
With his emerald eyes twinkling, he offered her his arm. “It’s a surprise.”
Chapter 21
“I can’t believe how much information Mr. Leonard has shared with us,” Edwina marveled as she and Prescott strolled through Green Park.
The leaves danced on an evening breeze as the final rays of the sun faded into darkness. It was amazing how quickly the air cooled once the sun had dropped below the rooftops of the nearby town houses.
“Was it helpful?” Prescott asked, staring off into darkening landscape.
“Immensely. His experiences at White’s and Boodles are invaluable to our current situation at the society. I must confess, I had no idea who he was when you first mentioned him, but now, I cannot thank you enough for the introduction.”
“Few people know Leonard. Discretion is his byword. Moreover, since he’s not the day-to-day manager but more of a ‘behind the scenes’ facilitator, even fewer know of his connections to the clubs. Most of the club members have no idea of the influence that he wields, and he likes it that way.”
“That story he told about pretending to be a footman and serving those two gentlemen who were making application to the club was absolutely astonishing.” Edwina raised a hand to her heart and the reticule hanging from her wrist banged against her hip. “The wretched things those men said about the club’s members without a dollop of consideration that he might overhear! I know that many view servants as inconsequential, but such indiscretion is unpardonable.”
“Which is part of the reason the gentleman found themselves rejected. Although they have no idea that Leonard was the cause. So you mustn’t repeat the story.”
“Upon my honor! I would never betray the trust he placed in us by sharing such knowledge.”
“He liked you, Edwina. And was most impressed with all you’ve done with your society.”
They’d reached the end of the path, where a gazebo sat in a pool of shadow from the canopy of trees overhead. It had gotten very dark very quickly and Edwina noted that few people were about. Her heart began to dance just at the thought of being alone with Prescott in such a romantic setting.
She reminded herself that soon their friendship would be but a memory. A very short, unfulfilled one. Although they might be friends at the end of this adventure, never again would they be pushed together in this ruse of being engaged. The intimacy would be lost, as would any sense of romance, however imagined.
Prescott motioned that they go inside the gazebo.
Climbing the stairs, Edwina aimed for nonchalance as she continued the conversation. “His advice is already giving me the seeds of a plan of what to do with the society’s newfound popularity. Now if only I can convince the board of the wisdom of such a course.”
“Oh, no.” His tone was mocking. “Edwina has another plan!”
Good-naturedly pinching his arm beneath her hand, she blushed, “Things haven’t gone so wretchedly wrong yet, have they?”
“As a matter of fact.” Stopping inside the cool gazebo, he drew her to stand beside him. “They have. There’s something we need to discuss, Edwina, and now is as good a time as any.”
At the seriousness of his tone, her stomach sank. “Look, Prescott, I owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“For yesterday. I shouldn’t have pried.”
Turning away, he removed his hat and brushed his hand through his hair. “I shouldn’t have been so prickly. For some reason, when I’m with you, I have a hard time keeping my feelings masked.”
“But you shouldn’t have to hide your feelings, especially when they’re so justified. Who am I to question your choices? It’s none of my business.” Even though she ached for it to be.
“You spoke out of consideration, Edwina, I know that.”
“Let us face facts, Prescott; I’m interfering, bossy and more than a little full of my own good opinion.”
White teeth glistened in the dimness. “Are you certain you haven’t traded places with Janelle?”
“I’m being serious, Prescott. I had no right.”
Turning, he walked to the edge of the gazebo and stared out at the woods. The wind blew and the leaves rustled in the trees. “As my friend, you’ve earned the right.”
Her heart swelled with gladness, but she tempered it. “I’m pleased you consider me a friend, as I do you. But—”
“On that first day we met you asked that I be honest with you in all things…” Prescott’s broad shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Well, I haven’t been. About something important. At least to me.”
Edwina pressed her lips together, waiting for the axe to fall.
“Catherine Dunn, Cat, well she’s much more to me than an instructor at Andersen Hall. And, much more than simply another charge that I grew up with at the orphanage. Cat…” His voice trailed off with emotion. “Cat’s been my best friend for ages.” He turned to face her, but his features were cloaked in shadow. “And I love her more than I’ve ever loved another person in my life, save my mother.”
Edwina swallowed, feeling a little il
l. She wanted to ask if he loved her like a sister or something more, but no words would come.
“But Cat kept secrets. Not just from me, but from the world. Completely justifiable, understandable, reasonable secrets for her to keep—”
“But it hurts,” Edwina supplied softly, “that she didn’t share them with you.”
“Terribly.”
Edwina swallowed, her heart aching for him. “You feel betrayed.”
“Yes. And a bit…lost.” His pain was so tangible, it was as if the very air Edwina breathed was tinged with sorrow.
He swallowed. “It’s like everything I’ve counted on, my bearings have all disappeared…” His voice cracked.
“Headmaster Dunn.”
Mutely, he nodded.
Stepping forward, she grasped his hand and squeezed. “I’m so sorry, Prescott.”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
Releasing her hand, he moved away, and she felt helpless, wishing there was some way she could ease his pain.
He began to pace, his bootheels thumping on the wooden floor. “Then Cat married Marcus…”
Edwina held her breath.
“And I felt even more betrayed.”
Edwina’s heart sank and she exhaled, trying to quell the deep disappointment slashing through her. He loved her. Cat. The woman of his heart.
Spinning on his heel, Prescott turned and paced once more. “But I realize now that I was simply feeling excluded, discounted from all she was doing, all she was facing, all she was suffering. Hell, I was her best friend and I didn’t even know her real name.”
“That had to hurt,” Edwina murmured.
“Oh, it did. It still does. But not as badly as it once did. Not recently, anyway.”
Edwina looked up.
“You see, I’ve been a little distracted.”
“The whole blackmail affair…”
“That, yes, but it’s been a bit more than that. You see, I find you altogether too distracting.”
Sari Robins - [Andersen Hall Orphanage] Page 17
