As she was about to leave, the door opened, and Aunt Agatha entered in a flurry of scarves and feathers. “My dear Elizabeth, how fortunate to find you at home. Come give me a kiss. I have already ordered tea. You shall catch me up on all the latestcrim cons,then I will take a look at your invitations. Don’t worry, my love. I’ll find you a husband in no time.”
Elizabeth felt a little faint as Aunt Agatha embraced her. A floppy feather from her turban tickled Elizabeth’s nose, making her want to sneeze. “I did not expect you so soon. Gavin told me only last night he had made arrangements for you to come.”
“Well.” Aunt Agatha sniffed. “Once your brother told me your father had put you in Lavinia’s charge with orders to bring Merton up to scratch, I knew immediately it would not do. One does not go into a Season with only one marital prospect in mind.”
It was no use trying to defend either her father or her cousin, and after what had happened, Elizabeth saw no reason to do so in any event. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And”—her aunt shook her finger—“I don’t like Manners. The man’s a loose fish if I ever saw one. A marriageable lady cannot be too careful of her reputation.”
Elizabeth repressed a shudder at what she had almost done. Thank God Gavin had stopped her. When the tea arrived, she poured a cup for her aunt.
“I have already sent a note around to Lavinia explaining that she need not concern herself with you any longer.”
“Thank you.” With any luck, Lavvie would give up the scheme she was hatching to separate Miss Stern and Lord Merton.
Her aunt nodded. “You shall move to my house. Before that, however, we must call on Miss Stern.”
Elizabeth choked on her tea and began to cough. “I—I beg your pardon. I barely know her.”
“Unfortunately, there is a suspicion going around that Lavinia started some nasty rumors about Miss Stern and Merton. We must distance you from any talk. Therefore, as soon as we’ve had luncheon, we will go round to Stanwood House. In any event, I am connected to the Dowager Lady Worthington, and it would be considered odd if I did not call on her. You may take the opportunity to wish Miss Stern happy.”
Elizabeth wished she was a turtle and could hide in her shell, but Aunt Agatha was right. If anyone connected her with her cousin’s gossip, it would destroy any chance she had of making a good match. And there was that note. She prayed no one would connect her with the message to Merton.
* * *
When she and her aunt arrived at Stanwood House the sound of feminine voices could be heard down the corridor. Once they were announced the room fell silent. She plastered a polite smile on her face as her aunt took her arm and swept regally into the room.
“Patience,” Aunt Agatha said to a woman with blond hair seated with Lady Louisa.
“Agatha.” The lady came forward and bussed Aunt Agatha on the cheek then glanced at Elizabeth. “What a lovely surprise.”
“Allow me to introduce my niece, Miss Turley. Elizabeth, the Dowager Lady Worthington.”
Elizabeth made her curtsey. “A pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
The dowager smiled. “I am delighted you are here.”
Elizabeth focused on Miss Stern. “It is nice to see you. I—I would like to wish you happy. I am truly pleased you are marrying Lord Merton.”
Although she appeared a little surprised at first, when she smiled, it lit her eyes. “Thank you. I’m glad you came to visit.”
“I have not paid many morning calls—”
“Unfortunately, I was late coming to Town,” Aunt Agatha said. “I am sponsoring my niece, you know. A cousin of hers had been chaperoning poor Elizabeth, but I shall say nothing more aboutthat.” Leaving no one in doubt of her disapproval. “I believe my niece could benefit from a wider acquaintance. It is her first Season after all, and she must make the most of it.” She smiled beatifically at Miss Stern. “I shall wish you happy as well. Make no mistake about it, though, you must take Merton in hand.”
Miss Stern gave Aunt Agatha a rueful grin. “So I have been told, my lady.” Miss Stern turned back to Elizabeth with another warm smile. “Please call me Dotty. All my friends do. Come, I shall introduce you to some of the other ladies. I think you already know Lady Charlotte Carpenter and Lady Louisa Vivers.”
“Yes, we met before the Season began. I would like it very much if you called me Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth let out a small sigh of relief as Dotty linked arms with her and set off toward a group of young ladies. If the future Marchioness of Merton accepted her, everyone else would as well. It was now even more imperative that Elizabeth stop whatever Lavvie was planning.
* * *
Cordelia, having tired of her parlor on the first floor of Stern Manor, now felt well enough to remove to the morning room, which overlooked the back garden currently resplendent with roses, dianthus, and nigella. Her butler handed a silver salver with three letters on it to her.
Taking up her letter opener, she popped the seal to Dorothea’s letter first. “Thank you. Please have tea brought to me.”
He bowed. “Of course, my lady.”
