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It was hard not to close her eyes and inhale deeply when Eleanor entered the bakery. Freshly baked bread scented the air, emanating from rows upon rows of beautifully rounded and shaped loaves.
Behind the wooden counter, a young fair-haired woman served a customer, wishing the woman a good day with her usual sunny smile. Charlotte practically vibrated with energy, and it did not surprise Eleanor that she had gone from setting up a small stall selling baked goods to a good-sized shop within a year. People came for the breadandto see Charlotte, she suspected.
Waiting until the last customer had gone, Eleanor approached the counter. Charlotte offered a broad smile then hesitated. “The delivery did arrive this morning did it not?” She pressed lightly floured fingers to her forehead, leaving dusty marks.
Charlotte was originally Chastity’s friend, but she had grown close to them all and Eleanor rather adored her lack of airs and graces—it always made her feel more comfortable to be in Charlotte’s company, surrounded by flour and warm bread, than in some grand ballroom or elegant drawing room.
“Jack is new, but he promised me he would deliver on time,” Charlotte continued.
“Oh no.” Eleanor waved a hand. “I do not think there were any problems.”
Charlotte blew a strand of hair from her face. “Oh, good.” She came around from behind the counter and smoothed her hands down her apron. “What can I do for you? Where are your sisters?”
“It’s just me and Chastity today. She’s purchasing new music but will be along shortly.”
Charlotte’s gaze skipped over her face and her gaze narrowed. “What’s wrong, Eleanor?”
So many things but she was not going to admit that to Charlotte if she could not even speak with her sisters about it. How could Eleanor even explain the complexities of her growing feelings for Oliver if she could not understand them herself?
All she knew was his mother’s words stung and the dowager viscountess would not be alone in thinking such things. His mother had been the only one bold enough to speak up. What sense was there, drawing attention to herself, all for the sake of a few moments with a man who would lose interest in her before long? If only she could return to disliking the man—it would make life a lot easier.
“You heard of what happened with Demeter’s gown I assume?”
Charlotte nodded. “Chastity told me all about it. The letter too.”
“I’m concerned someone is trying to deliberately sabotage the wedding.”
“I should think so. No one writes such a letter accidentally.”
“Precisely,” Eleanor agreed. “But we cannot find any suggestion that it might be someone we know.”
“So you want me to ask around?”
“Without drawing suspicion, of course.”
Charlotte’s lips quirked and she fluttered her lashes. “Did you not know? I am the very model of discretion.”
Eleanor laughed. It was hard to picture Charlotte being subtle or quiet, however, if Eleanor was to prevent anything further happening to the wedding, she needed Charlotte’s help.
“What do you know so far?”
Grimacing, Eleanor shrugged. “Not a lot I am afraid. A suspicious redheaded woman was spotted around the time the dress was stolen, and somehow they had access to my father’s seal.”
“No redheaded maids then?”
“None. And I asked the housekeeper if any new servants left abruptly, perhaps before I had a chance to meet them, but we cannot fathom who the woman might be. We even had everyone’s rooms searched and the servants questioned which was just awful.” She gave a little shudder. “All the servants are trustworthy.”
“No visitors then?”
Eleanor shook her head. “I’d recall if I’d been visited by a woman with red hair. Since Chastity and Cassie left home, our visitors have been much scarcer, and the housekeeper hasn’t shown anyone around of that description either.” She puffed out her cheeks. “Even if she had, she remains close at their side.”
“I can certainly see if there are any new arrivals to the area of that description but, Eleanor, I only serve a small part of London. She could be anywhere.”
Eleanor sighed. “I know. I am just at a loss as to what else to do.”
“What do your sisters suggest?”
“Demeter needs to focus on the wedding and Chastity and Cassie have their families to worry about. I need to do this alone.”
