“I wonder where Lainie’s mother has gone,” Victoria said, turning back to Edie. “She’s supposed to be chaperoning those girls.”
“She’s in the card room. I’m sure Mrs. MacBride trusts that you’ll keep an eye on things.”
“Keeping an eye on the twins keeps me busy enough. I don’t need two pert misses added to the mix.”
“Oh, they’re all fine. Now, let’s get back to you and Arnprior. Whyareyou dragging your feet?”
Victoria leaned in close. “Do you truly imagine the earl would be keen to have a killer for a wife?”
“But you were simply defending yourself, dearest. Besides, Dominic and Aden have the situation well in hand, I’m sure. That matter shouldn’t stand in your way.”
Dominic had said as much in his last letter, although there were apparently still a few minor details to clear up with Lady Welgate and her father. In the meantime, her mentor had advised that it was best to maintain complete silence on the matter to prevent the spread of any injurious gossip. She could tell Arnprior the details once everything was resolved, although Dominic didn’t seem to feel that was strictly necessary, either.
Victoria hadn’t known whether to be more annoyed at his assumption that she would be marrying the earl, or that she would keep something so monumental from her future husband. “It simply doesn’t seem right not to tell him, no matter what Dominic says.”
“If you think it’s best to tell him, then you should.” Then Edie held up an admonishing finger. “But only after Dominic says you may. You need to trust him in this matter, Victoria. He knows what he’s about.”
“I know. It’s just that . . .” She hesitated, knowing how silly it would sound.
“What?”
“Since we’ve been in Glasgow, I’ve had the sense that someone is watching me, and that it’s somehow connected to Fletcher’s death.” She gave an uneasy laugh. “It seems ridiculous, but I swear it’s true.”
Edie frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“When I’ve been out running errands, I’m quite sure someone is following me.” More than once, she’d caught glimpses of a man furtively watching her.
“I see. Believe it or not, the same thing happened to me before Alec and I got married. That fellow tried to kill both of us.”
“Edie, that is hardly reassuring.”
Her friend wrinkled her nose. “I’ll mention it to Alec and see what he thinks.” She glanced across the room. “And speaking of my errant husband, there he is.”
Alec waved to them from the doorway but was promptly waylaid by an elderly gentleman.
“One male down, two to go,” Edie said. “Arnprior and that handsome brother of his should be along anytime now, don’t you think?”
“Lord Arnprior was stopping by his club for a bit. As for Royal . . .” Victoria shrugged. “Who knows?”
She’d all but ordered Royal to join them tonight, but no one could tell the blasted man to do anything. He’d much rather lurk about the house and brood, like a hero from a romantic novel.
“Oh, rats,” said Edie. “I wanted to introduce him to Ainsley. I’m quite determined they should be friends.”
“Really?” Victoria asked dubiously. She suspected the combination of Royal Kendrick and Lady Ainsley Matthews could be combustible, and not in a positive way.
“Yes,” Edie said firmly. “It’ll be good for them both.”
“If you say so.”
The daughter of a wealthy earl, Lady Ainsley was staying with the Gilbrides before traveling north to visit Scottish relations. From what Victoria had seen of her, melancholy younger sons with no fortunes hardly seemed her type.
“Is Lady Ainsley enjoying her visit with you?” she asked politely.
“It’s hard to say. She can be prickly but also quite fun. And there’s a kind heart underneath her rather snobby manner. But something’s changed since I last saw her in London, and I can’t put my finger on it.”
“She appears troubled by something, if you ask me.”
“Yes, I think you’re—”
