Page 41 of A Victim, A Viscount, And Miss Mifford
"Yes, my lord," the maid nodded, her cheeks pink, "Flora sells some of her potions in the village to the locals and that's where he met her. Mr Bennett even called on her on the night of Lord Crabb's death. They were seen dancing together at the assembly as well, anyone can tell you that."
There was a note of spite to the maid's voice, but Ivo could not fathom the reason. Still, he did not care for petty squabbles between maids, not when he might at last have found his murderer.
Chapter Eleven
Though Jane had been greatly disappointed by Lord Crabb, the unexpected return of Mary from town had done wonders to lift her spirits.
Mary and Northcott had invited the Mifford family to dine with them at Northcott Manor, where Mary had regaled them all with tales of town.
"Everyone was so friendly this time," Mary had mused, "Not at all like last season, when the whole ton failed to take note of my existence."
"Being a duchess does make one more noticeable," Jane had commented in reply, and her sister's eyes had lit up with mischief.
"Why, yes it does, and we shall use it to our advantage when we launch you in the spring, Jane."
Her sister had paused, waiting expectantly for Jane's usual flat refusal to entertain any notion of having a season, but none was forthcoming. She had not even had the energy to argue that one launched missiles, and not females.
In the way that only a sister could, Mary instantly took on a meaning to Jane's silence, and her eyes had narrowed thoughtfully.
Thus, once the dinner was over and the ladies had sipped tea and Papa and Northcott had partaken in a cheroot and brandy, Mary declared that she wished for Jane to stay and accompany her to visit Sarah Hughes.
"Perhaps I shall come too," Mrs Mifford declared, reluctant to miss out on any of the fun.
"Perhaps you should not, dear," Mr Mifford interrupted with a smile, "For there are certain subjects which young ladies prefer not to discuss in front of their mother."
"What subjects? What do you wish to discuss with Mary that you cannot tell me, Jane?" Mrs Mifford appeared greatly offended at the idea that she was being excluded from any gossip.
"I am certain you shall find out in due course, dear," Mr Mifford interrupted his wife and placed a calming hand on her shoulder, "Come; Northcott brought us a bottle of Madeira wine from Berry's, it might help you digest that wonderful feast."
"Well, I am feeling very full," Mrs Mifford placed a hand to her brow, her attention now taken by the cure for her suddenly troubled digestion, "Don't be too late home, Jane. I shall want to hear all about your trip to Miss Hughes."
With that, Mr and Mrs Mifford, alongside Emily and Eudora, departed for Primrose Cottage, leaving Jane alone with Mary and the duke.
Northcott gave a very audible sigh of relief as the door closed behind Mrs Mifford, earning himself a wry look from Mary.
"She's not that bad," Mary scolded.
"I have faced less vigorous interrogations in the House of Lords," Northcott replied, with a light smile, "Though, as she is your mother, I love her nonetheless. And as my mother is worse, I do hope you will be similarly patient."
"Your mother is wonderful, dear," Mary replied, sweetly.
After Northcott had excused himself to attend to estate business, Mary had turned to Jane and hissed, "She really is worse than Mama, and I did not think that possible. For our entire stay in London, she kept sending footmen over with baby gowns that she had knitted herself. And when she was not doing that, she was calling over with different teas purported to aid conception. When Henry suggested we depart for Plumpton before the roads got too bad to travel, I jumped at the chance to get away."
"Oh, dear," Jane patted her sister's arm comfortingly, "I am certain once you provide her with a grandchild that she shall leave you in peace."
"I fear she will be worse," Mary bit her lip, her blue eyes dancing, "Which is why I wanted to escape to Plumpton before I revealed my news; I am increasing."
"You are?"
"Early days and I have not yet told Henry, but I am fairly certain."
"Oh, Mary, how wonderful! And I shall have a little niece or nephew."
Jane embraced her sister in a warm hug and as they broke apart, Mary gave a nervous laugh.
"I don't want to discuss it anymore, in case I am mistaken," she decided, "It really is very early to assume I am with child and not simply out of sorts because of all my late nights in London. Come, let us call on Sarah."
Mary summoned a footman to order that a carriage and four be prepared for them.
