Page 73 of Rescued from Betrayal
“The more people we have listening to the gossip, the sooner we can locate the person behind it,” she continued. “Nathanieland I will be headed to Town for my uncle’s wedding and I would like to know who framed me before I return home.”
Al appeared as intrigued as Nathaniel. “For what purpose? Eddie and your uncle will stop Mr. Fairchild from continuing his idle chatter. I am sure the person responsible will expose themselves at some point without us needing to play the spy.”
Melior threw back her shoulders and lifted her chin, the strong elegant woman of London returning. “Yes, but we must do so before he or she decides to ruin another woman’s life.”
Javenia cast Al a look of triumph. Nathaniel smiled. There were positives to having a wife trained to navigate and unravel Society’s secrets by playing to their personal weaknesses, and Melior had struck on Al’s. He could not abide the mistreatment of women. The thought that another might suffer was sure to secure his help.
Al folded his arms over his chest. “Then you are coming too.” He narrowed his eyes at Javenia.
“I am fine here—”
“Either you go or I stay, which is it, Javenia?”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I suppose I am to impose on the newlyweds to get there?”
Al gestured toward Nathaniel and Melior, and Nathaniel finally realized what he was saying. He’d hoped to travel alone with his wife. Hand outstretched, he tried to stop the words he knew would come out of Melior’s mouth, but he was too late.
“Of course you may stay with us, Miss Harris. We would be delighted to have you.”
Chapter 24
The next morning Melior instructed Baylor to begin packing her things. Initially she had thought of returning to London the day before her uncle’s wedding, but in light of the situation she had convinced Nathaniel that they must leave as soon as possible. He had agreed to follow her uncle and brother back to London provided she and Miss Harris were ready by the following day. That left her only one day to pack for a trip that could last as short as a week and as long as… well, as long as it took to get Lady Jane to admit her guilt.
That Lady Jane had been behind the plot she was certain. Mr. Roberts himself had backed up her supposition when he’d mentioned seeing Lord Caraway about town with said lady.
A knock sounded on Melior’s bedroom door and she ceased giving instructions to her maid. “Enter.”
Mrs. Thompson opened the door. “Mrs. and Miss Wayland have come to call, should I tell them you are not taking visitors at the moment?
“No!” Melior nearly shouted in her excitement. “I mean, yes, I am taking visitors. I will be down shortly.”
She adjusted her morning gown in the mirror and threw on a thick wool shawl. A grin pulled at her lips as she made her way to the sitting room. A little matchmaking was exactly what she needed to soothe her own worries. Perhaps she could ascertain where the young lady's feelings lay.
In the sitting room she greeted her guests. “Shall I ring for tea?”
“That would be lovely,” Mrs. Wayland said, her voice sounding weary and her face a bit drawn. Her daughter peered at her, creases forming in her forehead.
“Are you well, Mrs. Wayland?” Melior asked.
“As well as can be expected. I am certain tea will be just the thing to rejuvenate me.”
Miss Wayland patted her mother’s hand. “Mama’s health has been a bit of a pendulum of late. Some days are good and others not as much.”
“Susannah,” the middle-aged lady hissed, “must you really share all of my private concerns?”
The young woman colored prettily. “Forgive me.”
Melior waved her hand. “We shall pretend it was never said.”
That brought a smile to both ladies' faces.
“We had hoped to see the dowager Lady Stanford today. Is she taking visits?” Mrs. Wayland asked.
It was a reasonable request, but Melior felt a moment's disappointment that they had not come specifically for her. Then again, seeing her mother-in-law did not automatically mean they were not happy to see her as well. “Let me send a footman to see.”
She rang the bell pull, requesting the footman to ascertain Lady Stanford’s willingness to greet neighbors and to have tea sent up to the most convenient place for her mother-in-law.
Five minutes later the footman ushered the group to Lady Stanford’s room. Melior was happy to see her seated in her bath chair awaiting tea by the little table near the fire.
