“It’s nothing,” Heloise replied hurriedly.This was herfamily’s mess; she didn’t wish to drag the others into it.“But what were you discussing when I arrived?”
“Miss Amanda Sheffield, it seems, has settled quite nicely into the cottage left to her by her grandmother,” Laney said, referring to their latest case, in which they had assisted a young woman who had been robbed of her inheritance by her vile uncle.She peered at Heloise closely.“But why do I have the feeling we have a new mystery to solve right under our noses?”
Heloise, who had been in the process of biting into a biscuit, promptly choked.Truly, it was maddening—as well as awe inspiring—just how quickly the Widows picked up on even the slightest tell.
“Do you know, my love,” Sylvia murmured to Laney, even as her eyes narrowed on a watery-eyed Heloise accepting a cup of tea from Euphemia, “I do think you’re right.Heloise, dear, what happened with your sister-in-law to trouble you?And don’t think to deny it.You know we can spot a lie a thousand feet away.”
Heloise lowered her cup.“There really is no hiding anything from you, is there?”
“You know there is not,” Sylvia said cheerfully before indicating with a wave of her hand that Heloise should answer the question.
Heloise sighed.“Julia has got herself in a bit of trouble is all.But it’s not anything I cannot handle.”
Sylvia, however, was not to be fooled so easily.She pursed her lips, stirring her tea with a soft tinkle of silver on porcelain.“Why don’t you let us decide that for ourselves, my dear?”
But Heloise shook her head.“I’ve no wish to involve any of you.It’s my family’s problem.”
“Which means it is very much our problem,” Sylviasaid, her voice gentling.“You are our family, too.Anything that affects you affects all of us.”
It was not the first time one of the Widows had told her this.No doubt it would not be the last.All the women in this house were uncommonly close, after all, and did indeed act more like family than anything.
But Heloise could not allow herself to be so complacent.If there was anything that growing up in her uncle’s unwilling care had taught her, it was to know her place and to stay in that place.
Sylvia must have sensed her continued reluctance.Her expression shifted, turning almost sly as she considered Heloise.
“You know,” she murmured, “we’re at loose ends just now, and have been since Miss Sheffield’s problem was taken care of.You would be doing us a favor if you gave us something to do.”
The rest of them nodded enthusiastically, their voices echoing Sylvia’s, working in concert with the fear corroding Heloise’s insides, crumbling her determination.What harm could it do to tell them?
“If you’re certain.”They all enthusiastically gave voice to that certainty, and Heloise took a breath, trying to ignore the relief that blossomed in her chest.
“Julia has come with rather unfortunate news.”She bit her lip, trying to control the anxiety and rage the past hour had dredged up in her.“And it all centers around Dionysus.”
Laney frowned, sitting forward.“The gaming hell?What does Miss Marlow have to do with such a place?”
“Much more than I would ever like to admit,” Heloise muttered.And then, because she could not have remained still if she tried, she rose and began to pace, her boots making quick work of the floral carpet beneath her feet.
“My sister-in-law has certain… skills.Skills that my late husband possessed as well, an innate ability to remember seemingly mundane things… including what cards are played in games of chance.”
There was a heavy silence.When she chanced a glance up, all the Widows were staring at her with expressions of shock mingled generously with reluctant humor and admiration.
“Do you mean to say,” Laney asked slowly, “that Miss Marlow attempted to count cards?”
Heloise nodded miserably.Which caused Sylvia to let loose a bark of laughter.“I didn’t know the girl had it in her.”
Euphemia, however, frowned.“Wait, she attempted this at Dionysus?Buthow?Andwhy?”
“I have a good idea both of those questions can be answered fairly easily,” Sylvia murmured.“This has to do with her employer, Lady Ayersley, does it not?”
Heloise stared at her.“How did you know?”
Sylvia gave her a pained smile.“The countess was infamous for her fervor for gambling some years back.Her husband, of course, forbade it after she nearly lost him the bulk of his fortune, and she has been quiet for quite a long time.But seeing as Miss Marlow has been pulled into Dionysus’s jaws, it’s a safe assumption that Lady Ayersley was somehow involved.”
“Yes,” Heloise managed.“When her employer learned of her ability, she forced Julia to attend Dionysus’s quarterly masquerade with her and play on her behalf.”
“An impressive plan,” Sylvia mused.“Not only would it enhance her chances of winning, but it would allow her to keep her promise to her husband that she herself would not gamble.”
“And Julia was found cheating, was she?”Laney shook her head somberly.“The partners at Dionysus would not have taken it lightly.They are known to be a ruthless lot.”
