Page 12 of Long Live the Baron
The room had been silent since they arrived. No one spoke while they pondered the terrible events that had brought them together this morning. Lily winced, realizing she had talked her way into this gathering on a promise of providing assistance. It was time to enliven the ladies.
“I … quite enjoy a cup of exotic tea. I particularly enjoy milk in my tea with one of those dainty biscuits that Cook makes. Do you know the ones I mean, Sophia? They have a hint of lemon and you can eat them in just two bites and they are light as clouds? One day it would be a wonderful thing to journey to the Far East and see fields and fields of green tea as far as the eye can see.”
The duchess tilted her head, staring in wonderment at Lily, whose chattering had interrupted her reverie, before her shoulders heaved ever so slightly as if she were pushing a burden off. “I have often wondered about the lands where the tea is produced. What would acres of fresh, growing tea smell like? We only ever see the fragrant dried leaves that have been sealed in a tea chest and have journeyed for months over the sea. This tea”—Her Grace lifted her cup slightly—“traveled thousands of miles. It was grown in India, visited Africa en route, and arrived half a world away in London so that we might drink it as we discuss the events of the day.”
Sophia turned back, appearing curious as she peered at the duchess and then accepted a cup of tea from Lily. “This tea is a tale of a different world. It allows us to travel farther than we can ever journey ourselves.”
Lily picked up her cup and sipped, savoring the variety of notes while she thought about its journey, happy she could provide some solace. The three of them drank tea before Lily offered a saucer of biscuits. The duchess accepted one, and Lily was pleased to note Her Grace and Sophia appeared more present, breathing in the fragrant steam as they nibbled on the confections.
“I wanted to thank you … for sharing this time with me. My father and I were not close, but it is still a shock.”
Sophia placed a hand over that of the duchess. “Of course, Annabel. We shall always be at your side when you need us.”
“If I am honest, I grieve not so much for what we shared as father and daughter. I think … I mourn … for what we will never share. The baron was a hard man to please, and it was an effort to spend time with him. He never appreciated his family.”
Lily bit a lip, surprised to hear such a private admission from someone such as the duchess. She felt positively mature to be included in such a discussion. “I am so sorry. Papa is everything a daughter could ask for. He protects us and dotes on us.”
Sophia nodded. “Lord Moreland has been a better father to me than my own ever was. I regret if the baron never acknowledged how fortunate he was to have such an accomplished daughter.”
The duchess quirked the corner of her lips into a semblance of a smile. “Fortunately, I have a wonderful brother.”
Lily coughed gently. “I suppose Mr. Ridley is a baron now.”
The duchess straightened in surprise. “I had not thought of that. That is much responsibility to shoulder with such little preparation.”
“The duke will guide him through the transition. And Richard will help him, too.” Sophia’s proffered declaration was more in character than her earlier solemnity, Lily noted with contentment. She was happy she had instigated the conversation, and the mood had subsequently lightened to her satisfaction.
Behind her, the door suddenly opened. Swinging her head around, she observed the men entering and noted their grim expressions with dismay as they made their way over to the women. The large duke lowered himself onto the settee next to his wife.
“Lily Billy,” Richard whispered in greeting before settling down next to Sophia. Lily winked at him in acknowledgment, raising a slight smile from the somber earl.
Mr. Ridley, appearing pained, took a chair close to Lily. Despite the darkness of their gathering, Lily could not help a tiny thrill at being seated near to such a virile young gentleman.
In his upper twenties, he had chestnut curls to match the duchess. They also shared those riveting brandy eyes, but Mr. Ridley was a man through and through, with his lean body, broad shoulders, and chiseled jaw. He scraped six feet, which meant he towered over her dainty form, and she could not help but wonder what it would be like to waltz with such a fine specimen of manhood, rather than the doddery old men she was usually required to dance with.
“That Mr. Grimes is pugnacious and unlikeable,” Richard grumbled after several moments. Sophia frowned at her husband in question. “I believe he will pursue Ridley for this murder.”
“I agree. I talked with Briggs in private before he left, and he said it is imperative that we find an alibi. Apparently, Grimes has political ambitions and does not admire the aristocracy. To make it worse, the little upstart has powerful friends in the House of Commons, so this could be a proper fight, despite Brendan’s connection to me.” The duke’s tone displayed his concern as he took a cup of tea from his wife and sipped.
“Who is Grimes?” The duchess sounded alarmed.
“The coroner,” the duke responded.
Mr. Ridley groaned. “Why me?”
Richard puffed in disgust. “Why not you? Grimes sees an opportunity to make a reputation for himself by bringing the first peer in sixty years to the scaffold. The baron has been absent from Town for two decades, so it is simple to accuse you of being the only man with a motive. The narrative writes itself. Estranged heir murders peer in a fit of rage to obtain the title and income. We must obtain an alibi so he is forced to look elsewhere, or we will have a serious fight on our hands.”
Lily realized that her presence had been forgotten, and the situation was being openly discussed in front of her. Or had she been accepted as a confidant into this tight circle of friends? Either way, she would not ruin it by reminding them she was present!
Mr. Ridley sighed heavily. “The lady in question will never agree to come forward, and I cannot name her without her permission.”
“Can you speak with her?”
“Not without revealing her identity under the current circumstances. There is a possibility that Grimes will have me under observation.”
Lily peeked over at him, noticing the pallor of his face. She bit her lip, wondering if she should confess that she had witnessed him arriving at and leaving Lady Slight’s home. But the word of a young debutante, especially one who had been up till all hours reading in the drawing room, might not hold much weight.
“What if someone else saw you arrive … or leave?” Lily almost clapped a hand over her mouth at her display of audacity, asking such a question in a room full of important peers, but she held her hands together to quell the urge.
