Page 100 of The Lyon Whisperer
Several minutes later, Amelia wound up her tale, leaving nothing out but Eloise’s part, as she had promised to tell no one. “And so, you see, I return in one week’s time to Hoby and Shepperd to see if he produces an exact, or even similar, match.”
“And then what? How does that tell you who has produced the cloth?” Charlotte asked.
Amelia waved a hand. “Details. Perhaps I shall simply ask to pay the vendor directly.”
Lady Harriet exchanged a troubled look with Margaret before speaking. “Lord Culver knows you made these inquiries? I’m rather surprised he did not go himself.”
Amelia took a moment to refill her teacup. “He does not know.”
“What?” Nancy burst out. “Whyever not?”
She picked up her tea. “Why are you all so concerned? The notion of visiting a haberdasher came to me when I realized exactly why Lord Culver’s solicitor had no luck, as I mentioned.”
“Yes, but we assumed you shared your theory with your husband, dear,” Margaret answered, gently.
Amelia frowned.
Lady Harriet cleared her throat. “Why didn’t you, if you do not mind me asking?”
Amelia flushed. She found speaking the answer aloud rather embarrassing. “I wanted to surprise him.”
After a moment, her friends’ eyes went soft.
“You’re in love,” Georgina breathed. “With your husband. This is your grand romantic gesture, telling him.”
She slanted her a wry look. “Leave it to the author among us to explain my actions in poetic terms.”
“Well?” asked Nancy. “Is it true? Are you in love with Lord Culver?”
Amelia licked her lips, considering the question. “As to that…” She broke off. “I don’t know. Certainly I find him…” She laughed self-consciously. “I’ve never known anyone like him. He’s utterly enthralling, terribly brave, magnificently handsome, and his moral code is above reproach.” She glanced at each of the women in turn. “Would you call that love?”
“Yes,” came the resounding answer from one and all. Several of the women dabbed handkerchiefs at eyes gone suddenly damp.
“Nevertheless,” Lady Harriet said, her tone brooking no dissent, “arson is a deadly game. I strongly suggest you involve your husband in this endeavor, Amelia, before going one step further.”
She thought of his edict concerning her behavior. For the first time it occurred to her to wonder if he might not see her recent antics as, ever-so-slightly, improper.
“I shall give your advice serious consideration. In the meantime, can we plan another meeting for one week from today? I’ll need a reason to come back to town.”
Margaret groaned.
“Why do I get the feeling you do not plan to heed my advice?” Harriet asked.
Amelia sipped her tea, deciding the question did not require an answer.
Lady Harriet sighed. “Very well. We shall meet here again in one week, if we are all in agreement?”
All were.
“Now, then. What did you all think of the last reading, the short story titled, ‘The Scandalous Affair of Mrs. X’?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
On Tuesday afternoonthe following week, Amelia sat before her escritoire holding the final RSVP for the dinner party she and Chase would host in less than two weeks’ time.
With bated breath, she broke the seal and withdrew the card, quickly scanning the checked box and signature.
Lord and Lady Selbie would attend.
