Her father did not appear amused by Malcolm’s admission. “Spare us the details,” he muttered as he brought the newssheets up in front of him.
Turning his attention towards Enid, Malcolm asked, “Would you care to join us for a ride through Hyde Park after breakfast?”
Her father interjected, “Absolutely not!”
No one appeared perturbed by her father’s outburst and Malcolm continued. “It is still early so it shouldn’t be terribly crowded.”
Her father slammed his fist on the table. “Enid is not allowed to leave the townhouse, for any reason. I forbid it,” he stated. “If anyone saw her, just think of the repercussions.”
“George, it has been a month. Surely, you do not expect Enid to remain in the townhouse forever,” her mother calmly said.
“I do,” came his prompt reply.
“That would be terribly unfair to her,” her mother remarked. “People will eventually discover that Enid has returned home.”
Malcolm reached for his cup of tea as he asked, “Will you join us, Enid?”
Her father’s nose flared slightly, a sure sign that he was growing more agitated by the moment. “Are you not hearing what I am saying?” he demanded. “No good will come out of Enid leaving this townhouse.”
Placing his teacup back onto the saucer, Malcolm said, “I hear what you are saying, but I disagree with you. Enid needs to be free to live her life as she sees fit.”
“Need I remind you that Enid is ruined?” her father asked.
“A ride through Hyde Park would hardly change that,” Malcolm responded, “and the decision resides solely with Enid.”
Enid knew what her brother was about. He was trying to help her by easing her back into high Society, but she had burned that bridge long ago. However, it would be nice to take a ride on her horse again, assuming her father hadn’t gotten rid of her gelding.
Bringing a smile to her face, Enid said, “I think a ride sounds nice.”
As her father scowled, Malcolm clasped his hands together. “Wonderful.” He reached for Rosamond’s hand. “Isn’t that wonderful, dear?”
Rosamond nodded. “It is,” she replied.
Her father muttered a few curse words under his breath as he brought the newssheets up. Enid had been worried about how Rosamond would respond to her father’s disagreeable persona, but she had taken it in stride. Fortunately, Enid’s father did not dare speak harshly to his daughter-in-law because it was her dowry that had saved their family from ruination.
“Is my horse still in the stables?” Enid inquired.
Malcolm bobbed his head. “Yes, it is right next to Rosamond’s ugly horse.”
Enid arched her eyebrow, surprised by her brother’s callous remark. “That was rather an insensitive thing to say, Malcolm.”
Rosamond laughed. “No, it is true. Bella is rather ugly, but I love her.”
Her father lowered the newssheets and announced, “Lord Rushcliffe was murdered last night.”
“Murdered?” Malcolm repeated back.
“Yes, Lady Eugenie Lancaster killed him,” her father said.
Enid shifted towards her father. “Lady Eugenie?” she asked, hoping she had misheard. “That can’t be. She wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
Rather than dismiss her, her father engaged her by saying, “Apparently, she was Lord Rushcliffe’s mistress.”
Stunned, Enid lowered her gaze to the table. Lady Eugenie had been her dear friend when they first came out together and she was beautiful and clever. Why would she ever lower herself to become a mistress to a known rakehell? It just didn’t make sense to her. And for her to commit murder seemed even more far-fetched.
Her mother’s concerned voice broke through her musings. “Are you all right, Enid?”
“I am,” she replied, bringing her gaze up. “I just can’t believe Lady Eugenie would do such a terrible thing. It goes against everything I thought I knew about her.”
