“Yes, she is,” Mr. Moore agreed.
Enid assumed that Mr. Moore wished to discuss Lady Eugenie and she didn’t want him to reveal to her mother that she had just returned from The Brown Bear. She really didn’t want another lecture on propriety.
“Would you care to take a tour of our gardens?” Enid asked.
Mr. Moore nodded. “I would be delighted.” He offered his arm. “May I escort you?”
Enid placed her hand on his arm, and they started walking towards the rear of the townhouse. Once they had stepped outside, she removed her hands and clasped them in front of her. “I do appreciate your discretion on my visiting Lady Eugenie.”
With a glance at her, he said, “I see that I correctly assumed you did not tell your mother what you have been up to.”
“Heavens, no,” she replied. “My mother is a very patient woman but even she has her limits.”
“If that is the case, why did you go?”
Enid gave him a sheepish smile. “Surely you must know of my less than stellar reputation.”
“I do,” came his prompt reply.
She tried not to be affected by his swift reply. Her tarnished reputation was a known fact amongst the members of theton, but it still hurt to be gossiped about. She had made a mistake, but no one, including herself, would let her forget it.
“Well, Lady Eugenie was my only friend that stood by me after I eloped with John,” Enid shared. “We would write letters to each other, and they always bolstered me up, even when life seemed bleak. She never once condemned me for my actions, and I wanted to return the favor. She needs to know she is not alone in this.”
Mr. Moore came to a stop on the path and turned to face her. “She is lucky to have you as a friend,” he said.
“I have learned that a true friend only comes along every so often and one must not take that fact for granted.”
“No, one should not,” Mr. Moore agreed. “Which is why I need your help. Lady Eugenie is not being forthright about what took her to the late Lord Rushcliffe’s apartment that day.”
“What would you have me do?” Enid asked. She would do just about anything to help her friend, especially if it meant Eugenie would be found innocent of this terrible crime.
Mr. Moore looked conflicted as he ran a hand through his black hair. “I want you to speak to Lady Eugenie again and try to convince her of the error of her ways. I do not want to see an innocent woman hanged.”
“I can try,” Enid said, “but there are some secrets I would take to the grave as well.” Prior to her elopement, she wouldn’t have felt the need to keep such secrets. But she was not the same woman she was before. She didn’t owe anyone anything. She would only give what she wanted to give to others.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that if word got out, this could damage your reputation even further,” Mr. Moore remarked.
“I doubt that,” Enid responded. “I don’t think my reputation could go much lower.”
“I wouldn’t ask this of you if I didn’t think it was absolutely necessary,” Mr. Moore said.
As she went to reply, she saw Lord Rushcliffe approaching them with a frown marring his features. He was a burly man, but he had never used his size against her. She felt safe with him, even if she didn’t know everything about him, and that was enough for her.
“Lord Rushcliffe,” she greeted as she executed a curtsy. “What a pleasant surprise.”
He came to a stop next to her, his frown still intact. “Lady Enid, may I have a word?” he asked. His words were tight.
“You may.” She gestured towards Mr. Moore. “Are you acquainted with Mr. Samuel Moore?”
Lord Rushcliffe shifted his gaze towards the barrister. “I am,” he replied. “He lets criminals go free.”
“Only the innocent ones,” Mr. Moore corrected with a smile on his lips.
“I doubt that,” Lord Rushcliffe muttered.
Mr. Moore turned towards her. “I shall send word when I have secured a meeting.” He bowed. “Good day to you both.”
Once Mr. Moore started to walk away, Lord Rushcliffe asked, “What were you discussing with Mr. Moore?”
