Page 31 of The Viscount of Shadows

Chapter 11

Wearing her recently purchased dark green silk taffeta tea gown, Claudia stood, teacup and saucer in hand, in the crowded morning room at the Watford town house. A large table was set up at the front of the chamber, covered by a white lace tablecloth. Upon it, silver urns holding coffee and tea, and platters of delicate sandwiches with questionable fillings, along with small frosted cakes, slices of seed cake, a Victoria sponge cake, and various biscuits, fruit, and cheese.

Olivia came to her side and affectionately squeezed her arm. “I think this is going well. I had more show up than I originally thought. The ladies are curious about Watford’s choice of a wife. It is no doubt the reason for the high attendance.”

“Then let them get a good look. You are stunningly beautiful.” And Claudia meant it. Olivia particularly glowed today.

“Oh, thank you. I am so pleased you came. And as soon as you can fit me in, I want you to come for afternoon luncheon, just the two of us.”

Claudia recalled Pan’s advice: make a good friend of Olivia. She had to start somewhere, allowing people near. In truth, she missed her mother still, the close companionship, someone to confide in and share life’s joys and disappointments. Logically speaking, how could one go through life without human interaction? For all her grand asseverations about keeping people at arms’ length, it wasn’t feasible. Claudia had been devastated by her mother’s death and believed that not being hurt in the future meant remaining remote. But that was the reaction of a grieving 16-year-old girl. A decade had passed. As she observed earlier, perhaps Olivia was an excellent place to start—slow increments.

Smiling, she patted Olivia’s hand. “I will, I promise.”

“If it weren’t considered unladylike, I would squeal with delight,” Olivia replied, beaming. “I had best return to the serving table. As hostess, I am to pour, supposedly. Mingle, Claudia. Talk to people.”

“I will try.”

A woman was heading their way. Claudia guessed her to be in her late twenties.

“Here, I will make the introduction,” Olivia whispered. More loudly, she said, “Baroness Addington. May I introduce my dear friend, Miss Claudia Ellingford? Claudia, Lady Corrine, who is the daughter of Viscount Rothley.”

Claudia loathed these situations. Does one curtsey? Instead, Claudia inclined her head and gave a polite smile. “Lady Corrine. A pleasure to meet you.” There. That wasn’t so difficult.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Ellingford. The duchess tells me you are a private investigator.”

“And I will leave you ladies to chat. I must dash.” Olivia headed toward the table to resume her hostess duties. She gave Claudia a little wave before focusing on the women gathered around the tea buffet.

“It must be exciting work,” Lady Corrine enthused.

Was this baroness mocking her? Claudia studied her closely. Attractive, of course, with the prerequisite complexion of an English rose to befit a viscount’s daughter and baron’s wife. Her look was earnest, and because of it, Claudia would attempt polite conversation.

“I have only been on the job a few weeks, but so far, it is exciting. I am enjoying it immensely.”

“I have only been a baron’s wife a few months, but so far, it is not exciting, nor am I enjoying it.”

Claudia’s eyes widened. She didn’t expect that reply. What to say? “I am sorry to hear it, my lady.”

“It is my fault,” she sighed. “I agreed to the arrangement to benefit my family. If I were to call on you sometime soon, would you share a cup of tea with me? I need your advice, and I may need your services.” She took Claudia’s hand. “I truly admire you for living your life on your terms. Do you have a card?”

Good lord, Claudia couldn’t believe the baroness’s frankness. Pulling her hand away, Claudia reached into her reticule, fetched a card, and handed it to Lady Corrine, who quickly palmed it. “Leave word at Cleveland Street, and we will schedule an appointment.”

“I will. Thank you, Miss Ellingford.” The baroness gave her a sad smile and moved toward another group of ladies.

Perhaps Claudia should attend more of these soirées—a perfect way to drum up business. Were any of these society ladies happy? Well, a few, like the ones in her acquaintance. But they must be the exception to the rule.

As Claudia glanced about the room, her mind wandered to her conversation with Tensbridge yesterday. How mercenary of her to name a price for the bonus. And to not inform the Galway sisters? It did not sit well with Claudia. Her old instinct to grab any money she could to keep from starving remained deeply ingrained. To take advantage of the viscount’s concern for his younger brother also did not sit well. When had she become so avaricious and selfish? Living on the streets could do that to a person, but it was no excuse. Her mother had brought her up better than that.

Claudia would inform the sisters of the particulars. She would not take the bonus money from Tensbridge, after all. But she would encourage the sisters to speak with Tensbridge and urge him to wrap up the case as soon as possible. There was nothing more she could discover.

Speaking of the Galways, Claudia had arrived with Eleanora, Althea—in her first public outing since her leg operation—and Edwina Callen. Olivia was busy greeting guests, and she and another woman Claudia had just met, Baroness Wenlock, were pouring the tea. Two maids stood nearby to clear away any dishes and replenish the platters. Olivia had whispered to her that Chastity Colborne, the baroness, had a past similar to theirs, living and surviving on the streets. How astounding. It shows you do not know about a person at first glance. She would do well to remember it.

Althea sat in a plush chair, her cane at her side, with Eleanora seeing to her every need. Edwina Callen came to stand beside Claudia.

“They are devoted to each other,” Edwina whispered. “It makes me long for a sister. Do you have one?”

Claudia could see what Edwina meant. “No. No family at all.” Except for her miserable stranger, soon-to-be-ex-duke father, currently rotting in prison.

“Your gown is absolutely gorgeous. I love the embroidered lilies on the decorative collar and the large lily down the right side,” Edwina enthused.