Her mother addressed Miss Bolingbroke. “Would you at least care for a cup of tea?” she asked. “Or a cucumber sandwich?”
“Thank you, my lady, but I will pass. I do not wish to soil another gown with my clumsiness,” Miss Bolingbroke replied.
After her mother poured a cup of tea for Lady Lizette, they started engaging in conversation and Enid turned her attention back towards Miss Bolingbroke. “I am sorry that your mother is so hard on you.”
“It has always been that way,” Miss Bolingbroke said. “She was the diamond of the first water when she debuted, and I am just… me. I am unmarried and my parents fear I will become a spinster.”
“You are still young.”
“My mother was married at my age, and she still shines whenever she walks into a room. Whereas I am just dull.”
Enid placed a hand on her friend’s sleeve. “You must not be so hard on yourself.”
“I’m sorry. I do not mean to complain.” Miss Bolingbroke lowered her voice. “Did you go speak to Lady Eugenie?”
With a glance over her shoulder to ensure no one was paying them any heed, she matched Miss Bolingbroke’s tone, and replied, “I did, and I am even more convinced of her innocence.”
“How did you get in to see her?”
“I asked nicely,” Enid said vaguely. She didn’t want to reveal that Mr. Moore had lied to get her into the room with Lady Eugenie.
Miss Bolingbroke frowned. “I heard that they are transferring her to Newgate now that the case is going to trial.”
“How awful for her.”
“I do not think you will be able to see her in Newgate, not without word getting out. Besides, it is much too dangerous to go there.”
Enid nodded. “I agree, but I do worry about Lady Eugenie. She doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment.”
“No, she most assuredly does not,” Miss Bolingbroke agreed. “But what can we do to help her?”
“I am working on that.”
Osborne stepped into the room and met her gaze. “Lord Rushcliffe would like a moment of your time, my lady. Are you available?”
A thrill of excitement coursed through her at the mere mention of his name. What was wrong with her? Hadn’t she decided she needed to safeguard her heart? Trying to appear indifferent, she replied, “I am. Will you send him in?”
Miss Bolingbroke gave her a curious look. “I hadn’t realized you were acquainted with Lord Rushcliffe.”
“He is a family friend,” she said, not wanting to go into any more detail.
Lord Rushcliffe appeared in the doorway, looking deucedly handsome in a fine blue jacket and buff trousers. He bowed and exchanged pleasantries with the ladies before turning towards her and asked, “Can I speak to you privately?”
Enid glanced at her mother, who nodded her approval. “We can speak in the entry hall,” she said as she went to brush past him.
Once she was far enough from the door to keep their conversation private, she turned towards Lord Rushcliffe and gave him an expectant look.
Lord Rushcliffe had a solemn look on his face. “I just came from my brother’s apartment and I have found many things that are disconcerting, to say the least.”
“Could these things exonerate Lady Eugenie?”
“No, it is going to take a lot more to prove Lady Eugenie’s innocence,” Lord Rushcliffe replied. “But I am going to continue with the investigation until I get to the bottom of this.”
“If you need any help—”
Lord Rushcliffe shook his head. “Absolutely not,” he said. “You will stay here where it is safe and I don’t have to worry about you.”
“I can do more than what you are asking of me.”
