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“How long has it been for you?”
He ignored the smirk upon his friend’s face. He was simply between mistresses. He’d yet to find one who could fulfil everything he wanted. She should be clever, and interesting, able to hold a conversation and occupy herself with her own hobbies. She should be—
His heart gave a jolt when he realized he was picturing Eleanor.
She should most decidedlynotbe the daughter of a duke.
“So how are we to find out who did this?” Oliver asked. If he could find out before Eleanor, he would waste no time in boasting most heartily to her about it.
“We leave it to Demeter and her sisters is what we do. Do not forget she discovered my cousin and his lies.”
“What can they possibly do?”
“Those women have investigated more cases than you’ve had mistresses,” Blake said.
“Investigated cases?”
Blake nodded. “Their mother set up an investigative club when she was alive. They looked into mysterious and small crimes for other women when no one else would. The girls have continued on the tradition.” He shifted in his seat. “I am, of course, meant to keep quiet about this, but given your friendship with the ladies, I hardly think they will mind.”
“They investigate cases?” Oliver repeated.
But of course that was how it would be. Of course Eleanor would become immediately more intriguing and interesting to him. Inwardly, he groaned. Could she not be entirely boring and stupid? It would make his life much easier.
Chapter Nine
“No one will ever wed her,” Lady Julia murmured. “She is going to be a spinster before long.”
The low tones might have been designed only for her companions to hear but they were loud enough for Eleanor—and deliberately so. Lady Julia met Eleanor’s gaze as she moved past, followed by two young ladies who would either learn swiftly that Julia’s tongue was as nasty as the puce color she always chose to wear or would end up exactly like her, spitting venom in every direction.
Tempted to point out that Lady Julia was only two years her junior and yet to wed, Eleanor bit her tongue and ducked out of the room where everyone had gathered after dinner.
One of the oldest buildings in London, Sir Fairfield’s home offered winding corridors with uneven floors and plenty of places to hide from fellow guests. Over the years, Eleanor had figured out almost every hiding spot in every big house in Town.
“Where are you going?” Cassie asked as Eleanor walked past her.
“Anywhere but here,” Eleanor replied, glancing at Lady Julia who tittered behind a fan whilst her adoring audience looked on.
Her sister followed Eleanor’s gaze and shook her head. “Julia is a spiteful toad.”
“Indeed.”
“Shall I give her an earful?”
Eleanor smiled. Angelic fair-haired Cassie had the sort of face that made one think of sweetmeats and hot cocoa. However, her courage and daring could rarely be matched. “I do not need my little sister fighting my battles for me, Cass.”
She shrugged. “I do not mind, especially when it comes to Julia. I could say something cutting?” she suggested.
“It is not worth it.”
Cassie huffed. “I do so wish you would not always force me to be the better person.” She glanced at the open door behind Eleanor. “Are you escaping?”
“I’m going to find a book.”
“Do not vanish too long,” Cassie urged. “I should like to spend time with my favorite sister tonight.”
“I’ll return,” Eleanor vowed.
Having been close in age, she and Cassie made unlikely friends, yet even her marriage to Luke had not diminished their closeness, and she could never resist her sister’s pleading. She would brave Julia’s insults and the general conversation for time with Cassie.
