Page 34 of Tales of a Society Nothing

“I believe she is on her way now,” Elinor said.

“We should take our seats then,” Duncan Slorach suggested.

“This is so exciting!” Lucy said. “We’re right in the front.”

“I’m so proud of you both,” Sophia said, reaching for her son and daughter’s hands. “We never had an installation ceremony.”

“We were just sent out and told not to die,” Adrian said.

“You have your share of medals and ribbons.” Will elbowed his father. “I’ve seen them.”

Adrian looked embarrassed then cleared his throat. “You are coming to our town house after the ceremony?” He glanced at Elinor. “Sophia has ordered enough food for an army.”

“Of course. We’re looking forward to it. We’ll see you soon.”

Winn led her away. He’d wanted to speak to each of his agents before the installation ceremony. He moved closer to the front where Hew Arundel stood beside his wife, Belle. She was seated in the second row, but she rose as Winn and Elinor approached. “Mrs. Arundel, how good to see you again,” Winn said.

Elinor didn’t say anything. She simply embraced first Belle, then Hew. “My two favorite agents!”

“Elinor,” Baron chided.

“Sorry. I don’t have favorites,” she said. “But if I did...” She winked. “How are you? How is your tea shop?”

Baron recalled that Hew Arundel had been taken to his now-wife’s tea shop after being stabbed in an assassination attempt by a landowner trying to swindle the railroads. Belle had nursed Hew back to health, but not without cost. The assassins had targeted her shop, and Belle and Hew had to escape and take refuge with Elinor.

“Business is very good,” Belle said. “I could hardly get away.”

“I had to drag her away. One doesn’t keep the queen waiting,” Hew said.

“Of course, I didn’t want to miss this,” she said, putting her hand on his arm. “Oh, I almost forgot!” She opened her reticule and drew out a small box. “For you.” She held it out to Elinor.

“Don’t tell me,” Elinor said, her voice rising with excitement. “Is this?”

“Shh!” Belle said. “If you say anything, everyone will want some, and I have a very limited quantity.”

“Not a word,” Elinor said, dropping the box into her reticule. Winn could only assume Mrs. Arundel had presented his wife with a gift of some exotic tea. She’d given him cups of this or that, but Winn still preferred his Earl Grey.

The door to the chamber opened, and a footman in royal livery stepped inside. “Take your seats, gentleman, lords, and ladies. The queen approaches.”

Belle’s eyes widened, and Elinor patted her hand. “I’ll see you at Lord and Lady Smythe’s, yes?”

“If the shop can spare me,” she said.

“It can,” Hew said.

Winn steered his wife to the last couple, who were taking their seats in front of where Winn and Elinor would sit. “If it isn’t Lord and Lady Holyoake,” Winn said, giving them a bow.

“Lord and Lady Keating,” Viscount Holyoake said. “Might I sit with you?”

“Of course,” Winn said. “You’ve been through this before.”

“My installation was in a small parlor.” Ambrose Holyoake looked about the reception room. “Nothing as grand as this.”

“It’s Willoughby Galloway’s fault,” Margaret Holyoake said. Winn remembered she liked to use her maiden name, Vaughn, when she’d been estranged from her husband. He supposed this was another one of those instances where Elinor would say he played matchmaker. He hadn’t. He’d sent Margaret to find her husband when he went missing on an assignment because she was good at tracking people, not because he wanted them to reconcile. Though it was a happy outcome.

“He saved the queen’s life, and now she is grateful.” Margaret sounded almost annoyed.

“Maggie’s anxious to leave for her next mission,” Holyoake said.

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