“How would my doing so appear to London society?” Caroline questioned. “Servants do talk. I am making my debut. Callers will make appearances. I cannot greet them with dust-covered hands or clothing.”
“I would say your debut has nothing to do with his lordship’s decision. Lord Honfleur still blames me for not retrieving the note at the masque.”
Caroline’s eyes dropped, which meant she intended to offer Audrey a half truth. Audrey had long ago learned Caroline’s many mannerisms and the conditions of each. “Your being detained by Lord Marksman meant another found the note.”
“We do not know who that someone was,” Audrey declared. “It was likely another of Lady Godfrey’s guests who found it on the floorand simply discarded it as nothing of importance. Just as likely, a servant could have discovered it and turned it over to Lady Godfrey. No one other than your father would have knowledge of its meaning or its purpose. I doubt her ladyship is wise enough to know the nature of its intent.”
In obvious frustration at Audrey’s refusal to permit the issue to drop, Caroline said, “All you say is true, but you must realize my father would wish you to avoid Lord Marksman, for he possesses powerful associates in the government.”
It was Audrey’s turn to disguise her surprise. If what Caroline said was true, Honfleur knew something of Marksman—perhaps even Alexander’s true connection to her. Had Honfleur purposely kept her away to prevent her from claiming her real family? “I imagine such could be said of a number of English lords,” she repeated in defensive tones. All Alexander had told her raced through Audrey’s mind. She did not know how she would warn him, but somehow, she would discover a means to tell Alexander what she had learned. “You and your father think Lord Marksman’s interference on that evening to be purposeful?” she questioned.
“How could we not?” Caroline argued. “You think it coincidence of all the gentlemen in the ballroom, it was Lord Marksman who stepped forward to prevent Lord Bacggart from detaining you? Do you not see how manipulative his actions were? And I have no doubt it was Lady Theodora who retrieved the note meant for you. Father says the girl left the ballroom while Lord Marksman approached you.”
Audrey wished to deny any knowledge of Marksman’s involvement in the investigation, but she kept silent. Too many protests could be construed as proof.
“I have no means of knowing Lord Marksman’s intent. After all, my costume that evening was meant to draw attention—such was its design. As to the earl, I have spoken to him less than three-quarters of an hour in the whole of our acquaintance,” she asserted.
“What did you discuss with the gentleman?” Caroline demanded.
“Mostly of family,” Audrey admitted, but then quickly realized what she had said. If Moreau knew of her relationship with Alexander, likely so did Caroline. “I was nervous, and I confided how the dance we shared was the first time I had danced in a ballroom. His lordship attempted to quash my trepidation by telling me of how his mother would dance around with him when he was a boy. I thought the idea was quite lovely.” She quickly added to draw more attention away from Marksman knowing something of their connection when Alexander had asked her to dance, “Can you imagine a countess dancing about a room with her young son? How sweet must that particular memory be for his lordship. I relaxed more after that moment. I imagine the earl meant only not to have my collapsing in shame if I took a misstep, but, afterwards, I thought the gesture was very kind.
“On our walk together, we spoke of the best booksellers in London, for I told him of how you and I had called in at a little lending library before we encountered him and Lady Theodora.”
“Did you speak of specific books?” The question meant Caroline remained suspicious.
“Nothing specific. He said Lady Theodora enjoys poetry, but he tends to choose historical tomes. Although we had spoken of this previously, his lordship asked if he might call on me, and he offered to escort me to his favorite bookshop, one which carries rare books not so easy to find. You already know, I told him I was not allowed callers.”
“Do you think Lord Marksman’s attention is odd?”
“How so?” Audrey demanded. “Am I not comely enough to attract a handsome man? I realize I am not the beauty you are…”
“Nonsense,” Caroline said with a tut of disapproval. “You are equal to me in every way. I just wondered why he would show an interest in you while Lady Theodora was on his arm.”
“Actually, at the ball, Lady Theodora was on another gentleman’s arm and, in the park, originally on the Sardinian count’s arm,” Audrey corrected. She wondered if Caroline’s “slip” had been purposeful to catch Audrey in a lie. When Caroline did not respond, just rolled her eyes in apparent disapproval, Audrey continued, “Perhaps the lady expects more of his lordship than he is willing to give. In my brief encounter with her, I did not judge her worthy to be Marksman’s countess. They were raised together, however, for the lady’s father served as Marksman’s guardian when the previous earl passed. We have both known women who believe themselves to have speaking rights to a man simply because she has held a longer acquaintance with the gentleman than has another lady. No matter Lady Theodora’s opinions, I have performed as your father has asked of me. My loyalty is always to family,” she stated. Such was true. Audrey was loyal to her family, not Moreau’s. Realizing her comments would become fodder for Moreau to use against her, she purposely shrugged her indifference. “Come. I shall assist you with your unpacking,” she said as she headed towards the door.
“Mathild will do the task,” Caroline corrected. “She is to serve as my lady’s maid.”
“I thought Mathild meant not to return to England.” Audrey knew she had caught Caroline and Moreau in yet another lie, but Audrey pretended to be ignorant of the situation.
“My father can be very persuasive when he wishes to be,” Caroline said with an odd expression on her face, one Audrey could not quite read.
“Then I will assist you in settling into your rooms. Your father has presented me with a new role in this family, and I must become accustomed to it sooner, rather than later.”
Annalise swung aflat-faced bat in order to knock the dust from the rug from the small sitting room, which was draped across a line in the rear garden. Mrs. Sable had suggested the rug required a good cleaning. Annalise thought the woman enjoyed ordering her about, but, for the time being, there was little she could do about the various chores she had been presented unless she chose to betray her one true living relation, which she did not.
She swung the bat again so hard it sent the rug swinging on the rope, which was strung between the back of the house and the rear wall marking the property. The rug shuddered on the line, providing her a sense of accomplishment, of sorts. At least beating the rug was proving to be a productive outlet for the anger churning about in her stomach. “I am strong,” she repeated with each dust-filled puff of air. “I shall not be defeated,” she added.
“You be the sister of an earl,” a voice from the other side of the wall declared, “and Axe will not be happy to view you covered in dust.”
“Lionel?” she questioned in a softer voice. “Is that you?”
“It be me, my lady. Your brother sent me to discover how your days are. You’ve not spoken since Honfleur returned to England. Axe be worried for you.”
Annalise shot a quick glance towards the house to know with confidence no one watched her. “Stay down so they cannot view you from the upper windows,” she warned.
“Be you in danger, my lady?” he asked in obvious concern, which did her poor heart well, for, of late, she had regretted her promise to stay at Amgen Place. “If such be so, leave the bat and come with me now. I’ll see you safely to Marksman’s side.”
Annalise tasted the temptation rushing to her lips, for it had been almost two weeks since she had last spoken either to her brother or Lord Beaufort, but she slapped the bat against the hand-woven rug instead. Without turning to look where Lionel hid himself, she said, “Warn Alexander something is afoot.” She slapped the rug again. “Honfleur has been meeting with a number of members of Parliament.” Slap. “I’ve been listening at servant doors as I go about my duties.” Slap. “There was quite the argument yesterday. Loud voices. Accusations.”
