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“Yes. Exceedingly busy. You might not even see me at the final ball of the Season actually.”
“But you always attend! Blake was saying so the other day.”
“Things change.” He gave her an awkward pat on the shoulder, then twisted on his heel and marched furiously toward the house.
Only when he reached the cool interior of the hall did Oliver stop. It had taken all his willpower not to march back there, tell her she wasn’t rid of him at all, and brush away all thismarriage was not forhernonsense yet how could he after spouting exactly the same?
Things had changed, most especially inside him. He just could not fathom how or why or what do about it.
Chapter Fifteen
“Oh!” Eleanor paused when she spied Charlotte hastening along the path toward her father’s house. She gave up tying her bonnet and let the ribbons hang loose for now.
Fair hair streaming behind her, her friend’s cheeks were red and she paused to bend double. “I do not have much time, but I have a suspect for you. I came as soon as I—” Charlotte paused, lifted a hand, and gulped down a breath before straightening. “I loathe running.”
“A suspect?” Eleanor repeated.
Charlotte nodded. “Do you recall Miss Ruth Lawson? She is back in London.”
“Miss Ruth Lawson?” Eleanor repeated, then gasped. “The lady who tried to force Anton’s friend into marrying her.”
“Indeed.” Charlotte grinned. “It was before my time in the society, but Chastity told me about her. I heard she’s been spotted at Lucy Berry’s store.” Her grin expanded. “And she has red hair.”
“I recall.”
“What do you think? Could it be her?”
Eleanor twizzled the ribbon around a finger a few times. “It could well be. She was furious when we revealed her lies and vanished to the countryside. I assumed she was done with Society but perhaps she heard of Demeter’s marriage and wanted to spoil it.”
“It certainly seems logical,” Charlotte agreed. “Do you want me to do anything?”
“Is she to return to the seamstress?”
“I’m not certain, but I can ask?”
Eleanor shook her head. “No, actually I shall do it. I was on my way to meet Demeter—we are attending a reading at the Islington Assembly Hall—but I can stop at the shop on my way home.”
And a distraction would be welcome. Especially considering her first instinct had been to go to Oliver and tell him the news.
“I have to get back to the bakery,” Charlotte snatched her skirts, “but let me know how it goes!”
“I will, thank you, Charlotte,” she called after her as she hastened down the path between the neat rows of petunias.
Eleanor tied the ribbon tight, feeling the bite of it in her chin, and welcoming the slight tug. Anything to stop her from thinking of Oliver. She didn’tneedhim after all. Goodness, it looked like she might be able to find out who stole Demeter’s dress all on her own and that would show him.
Despite wanting to direct the driver straight to the seamstress’s shop, she instructed him to head to the assembly hall. There was no sense in worrying Demeter by not turning up and the reading was only an hour. They had both been looking forward to hearing Mrs. Siddons. One hour would not hurt the investigation.
She met her sister in the entrance hallway. “Did you find the lace you needed for the wedding?”
“Yes, thank goodness.” Demeter lifted a brown parcel. “Come, we had better hurry. There will be no seats left.”
They hastened into the crowded main room, laid with wooden chairs, the first few rows already occupied by eager attendees. Curtains were draped over the stage, revealing hints of painted scenery viewable from a previous performance. They took a seat and Eleanor froze, unable to remove her gaze when she saw him.
She should have known Oliver would be here. Mrs. Siddons’ talk was highly anticipated and even those who were not truly interested in the retired actress would wish to be in attendance. Too busy for her but not for such an event it seemed.
A bitter taste rose in the back of her throat when she spied a young, raven-haired woman at his side. Oliver smiled down at her and Eleanor’s stomach lurched. Together, they looked perfect. Elegant and beautiful—a perfect match. His mother must have thought so too as she conversed eagerly with the young lady. Eleanor looked away then back again, briefly catching Oliver’s eye and forcing her attention back to her lap.
“This will be a nice distraction from all the wedding business,” Demeter said. “I should have just married Blake in the country. I do not know why I allowed everyone to suggest a Society wedding.”
