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Chapter Eight
Alight breeze rippled across the surface of the Serpentine, bringing relief from the heat of the afternoon. An English summer could never be considered predictable, however, so Eleanor made the most of the sunshine and tilted her parasol to feel the sun’s rays tickling her skin. Soon everyone would leave London to retreat to the countryside and, with any luck, Demeter and Blake would be wed by then.
Well, it wouldn’t take luck. It would take determination, and no one was more set on ensuring Demeter’s day went perfectly than her.
Seeing how the news of the false letter affected her sister made Eleanor’s heart pang. Demeter rarely stuttered around her sisters and never around Blake, but it seemed to have become worse since the news that someone tried to call off the wedding. Demeter had even talked of delaying the wedding or escaping to Scotland but Eleanor would be damned if they gave in the machinations of whoever this was.
Her sisters were no less concerned. Given that Demeter was dining with Blake’s mother, they had opted to meet in the park to discuss the matter. Beside her, Chastity pushed Nancy in the perambulator whilst Cassie and Aunt Sarah walked arm in arm. Anton and Eliza were also strolling through the park, though their brother was blissfully unaware of the letter as was their father. Father could do without the worry and Anton would just overreact and utter something about scandal and calling someone—anyone—out.
“Demeter doesn’t have any enemies,” Cassie insisted. “How could she?”
“Do not forget she proved Blake’s cousin was a fraud,” Chastity reminded them.
Eleanor shook her head. “His cousin fled and has not been seen since. Besides, the man is such a coward, do you believe he could think of such a scheme?”
Not to mention there was this redheaded woman to think about. Unless Blake’s cousin had disguised himself, which seemed exceedingly farfetched, she had to conclude they were dealing with someone else.
“We have made a few enemies over the years, unfortunately,” Chastity continued. “Remember when we revealed Mrs. Sommers tried to shave her dog and have him enter the pig race in Hampshire?”
Cassie giggled. “She was furious we discovered her, but we were only young, and I hardly think that constitutes a need for revenge. Anyone could see it wasn’t a dog.”
Eleanor smiled, recalling the brazen-tongued ten-year-old Cassie. “Yes, but you were the one who was bold enough to say so.”
“We agree, though, that this might be for revenge?” Chastity asked.
They all nodded, even Aunt Sarah, who had spotted Mr. Wilde, a man with whom she had formed a friendship with because of their love of cats. She gave him a wave and Eleanor spied his cheeks redden. She did not think she was alone in believing Mr. Wilde had a fancy for their aunt.
Eleanor gave Aunt Sarah a nudge with her elbow. “Why do you not go and speak with him? I shall keep you appraised of any conclusions we come to.”
Aunt Sarah glanced between them all. “Are you certain? I should not like to leave you girls at such a time, especially if you need my help.”
“Go,” urged Chastity, her lips twitching as their aunt bounded off toward Mr. Wilde, the feathers in her hair bobbing in the breeze.
“Do you think...?” Cassie asked watching them.
Eleanor and Chastity nodded.
“I always wondered if she would ever find anyone after Uncle Simon. They had such a great love.”
“As do both of you,” Eleanor pointed out, ignoring the jarring of her heart the reminder left her with.
All her siblings were in love matches and now it looked like even Aunt Sarah might have someone. Soon it would just be her and her brother and father, and then what? She had never considered marriage to be important let alone something that might happen to her, but seeing her siblings so content made her wonder what would have happened if she had tried harder, if she had not avoided every dance and dinner invitation.
She shook her head. None of this had occurred to her when Cassie and Chastity got married. Why was she thinking of it now?
“It seems odd that this is all happening now, do you not think?” Cassie asked. “I mean, if it was about all of us, why would they not try to spoil my wedding or even Chastity’s?”
Chastity paused to move the thin blanket that covered the perambulator and check on Nancy. “But what could Demeter have possibly done? She’s hardly the sort to draw attention. In fact, before Blake, she did her best to avoid being noticed at all.”
Eleanor sighed. “If anyone is to have enemies, it’s most likely to be me.”
“Why would it be you?” Cassie demanded. “You are as quiet and as lovely as Demeter, Eleanor.”
She gestured to her face. “After those scandal sheets drew caricatures of me there were many people who expressed their dislike of me.”
Chastity lifted her chin. “I have given every single one of them the cut.”
Unable to keep a smile from her face, Eleanor almost pitied those who were on the wrong end of both of her sisters’ wrath. Neither of them were women to be trifled with.
