Page 41 of A Most Unlikely Lady
Olivia tried, at first softly and then with more gusto, garnering the attention of several young ladies licking ices and fluttering their fans.
The ladies leaned closer, so Ivy spoke loud enough for them to hear. ‘Can you even merit it? The poor viscount caught with his trousers around his knees in the middle of the park while his poor wife tried to shield him with her parasol. His tailor is sure to be looking for a new job before summer is over.’ Scooping the last spoonful of elderflower ice, she ate it triumphantly.
The young ladies to her left twittered and gasped as Olivia shook her head, her shoulders shaking. ‘An almost unbelievable tale.’ Leaning closer, she lowered her voice. ‘Thank you.’
Ivy was used to being the woman who received support from others. It felt good to be the one providing help to a friend. ‘You might want to wait on your thanks until after I’ve spoken with Philippa.’
‘I’m hoping we can arrange the ball by the end of the month. That gives us two weeks.’
Again, Ivy’s mouth dropped open. ‘That’s hardly any time at all.’
Olivia shrugged. ‘She has us to help.’
Ivy snorted. ‘Yes, I’m sure she’ll welcome your help with open arms. I don’t know why you two dislike one another, but it doesn’t bode well for a joint venture.’
‘It is not I who dislikes Lady Winterbourne. Indeed, I hardly know her. Yet, since I returned from Europe, she has snubbed me at every event we’ve attended. If you wish to understand the cause of our discord, you must direct your inquiries to the duchess, not me.’
Ivy stood, smoothing a hand over her skirts. ‘If we hope to gain her support for this ball, I don’t think discussing her feelings about you will help.’
Olivia raised an eyebrow in a look Ivy was tempted to tell her was very similar to her nemesis. ‘Fine by me. I don’t need to court her approval. I only hope she can put aside whatever petty issues she has to support the children.’
Ivy clutched her reticule tightly, taking comfort in the weight. ‘I think she will. I shall visit Philippa immediately. If we are to have this ball in a fortnight, there is much to do.’
Olivia rose, pulling Ivy into another hug. ‘Thank you, Ivy. You are a good friend. I don’t deserve such kindness.’
Ivy squeezed her shoulders. ‘We all deserve kindness, Olivia.’
Olivia released Ivy, painting a bright smile over her face like one might paint a porcelain plate. ‘I’m off to meet Hyacinth at the modiste’s. Wish me luck. She forbade me from joining her, but she needs to understand I respond to ultimatums about as well as she does.’
Ivy exhaled a long breath. ‘It seems we both have challenging conversations ahead. I shall wish you luck if you do the same for me.’
Olivia nodded. ‘Good luck, Ivy.’
‘Good luck, Olivia.’
Ivy smiled at her friend, then turned and started weaving back through the crowd. She was jostled by a boisterous group of young men, nearly tripped over a little girl with a large red stain on her white cotton dress, and deftly sidestepped a lad as he ran full tilt through the store with a dripping glass of coffee ice. When she emerged onto the street, she sighed with relief until she thought of the task ahead.
‘How the devil am I going to convince Philippa to host a charity ball… for Olivia?’
She got no answer from the bustling crowd as she hailed a hackney to take her the short drive to Grosvenor Square. It wasn’t until she was sitting in another musty carriage, she felt the crinkle of something in her pocket. Her fingers closed around parchment. As she withdrew the small, sealed note, the elderflower ice curdled in her belly.
Head of a crow. Body of a wolf. Tail of a snake.
The Devil’s Sons had sent Ivy a message.
10
It had been a brutal day at work. Edward had called around to Lord Augustus Thurston’s house, hoping to convince the man to let Edward interview his son, only to find the house in a state of mourning. Lord Thurston refused to meet with Edward, but the butler informed him Clarence Thurston had an unfortunate accident that morning while cleaning his duelling pistols. The entire house was in a state of shock.
‘I spoke with him just before the accident. Delivered a note for him, and all seemed well. He didn’t even have his guns laid out.’ The butler’s face was white, his eyes glassy. Edward knew it was wrong to ask the man questions when he was still reeling from the death of his young master and revealing more than he should, but he pressed forward.
‘Do you remember anything about the note you delivered? Anything strange or unusual?’
The butler shook his head, his face clouded with confusion. ‘No, it was just a note. From one of his friends, I’m sure, as the seal was familiar to me.’
Edward’s heart pounded so hard, he could feel the pulse in his throat. ‘Was it a distinct image? Head of a crow, body of a wolf, tail of a snake?’
‘Yes. How did you know?’ The butler’s gaze sharpened on Edward, his lips hardening into a firm line as if realising he’d said too much. ‘You must leave. The family needs their privacy. I insist.’ He straightened to his full height – close to a foot shorter than Edward – and waved over a much larger footman.
