Barry nervously regarded the three of them.
“Don’t worry, Barry. I’ve assured you your job is fine. What you must tell them is what they need to hear.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” His nervousness disappeared as he began describing how he had been approached by the Widow Deville. “Everyone knows her, so there was no confusion about who she was. But she said she was a friend…no, your godmother, Lady Gallwey…and I had no way of knowing otherwise. She also said you had gone home ill, my lady, and that she would make certain to deliver the note to you herself. I believed her in all honesty. I had been pulled out of the main ballroom after that and worked in the gaming room, so I had no way to dispute what she’d told me. She was most insistent, and I finally agreed. I should not have done that, my lord, and I apologize profusely.”
“That you can recall this with such clarity amazes me,” Frankie said. She looked at Thomas and saw anger and something else flash across his face. Relief?
“I won’t lie,” Thomas said. “I am angry. I paid you to deliver that note and specifically instructed you to give the message to no one other than Lady Wickersham. A muscle clenched in his jaw as he seemed to regain control of himself. “However, I know the woman in question, and she can be most persuasive, and from what you have told us, she clearly made you believe that she would honor my instructions and deliver the note.”
“I am truly sorry for any problems my actions caused, Your Grace, my lord, and my lady.”
“Barry, I gave you my word that you would not lose your position here if you told me the truth, and I stand by that,” the dowager said. “You may return to your duties.”
The footman bowed and hurried away.
A squealing sound drew their attention. Frankie, Thomas, and the dowager turned as one to see the widow’s saucy approach.
“Did I hear my name?” Lady Deville cooed. She swished over to them. “Your Grace! I must thank you for this invitation. This fete has been everything you promised.” She turned to Frankie and Thomas. “Lord Latham, Lady Gallwey.”
Frankie and Thomas both smiled in greeting.
The dowager gave a slow smile. “I am thrilled you have arrived, Endora. I must say that gown does suit you, even a year later. One could say it was worth the wait.”
The widow’s face colored in obvious discomfort. “Yes…er thank you.”
As the widow turned to survey the garden, the dowager leaned closer to Frankie and gave a barely noticeable nod in the widow’s direction. “My dear, I must ask that you trust me,” she whispered.
Confused but curious, Frankie glanced at Thomas and back to the dowager. “Of course, Your Grace.”
* * *
Endora was livid at the dowager’s veiled insult about her gown. But if all went according to plan, she would have the last laugh over the old crow. She’d purposely arrived early at the fete, determined to further her ambition of becoming Lady Latham. It was what she had dreamed of since first setting eyes upon that fine specimen of virility. She bit back a cynical laugh.And in this very house, no less.This time she would prevail and rid herself of that cloying Gallwey ninny for good. The dowager be damned!
Arriving early had worked in her favor.As she’d exited her carriage, she’d spied the footman whom she’d hoodwinked into handing over that love note Thomas had written the blonde chit five years ago. Smiling, she’d approached the footman with a seductive sway of her hips. “My dear young man, you may recall, you did me a great service several years ago.”
The footman’s eyes had rounded with recognition, and he inclined his head. “Yes, my lady.”
“I would ask for your assistance once more for another good deed.”
The footman glanced about and, seeing no one, he inclined his head. “How may I help you, my lady?”
“I can only imagine how busy you are, but this is extremely important.” My future relies on this going off without a hitch. “It’s important that this day is one of special significance. With your help, that will be possible. She fished a gold sovereign from her reticule, along with two handwritten missives. “Deliver these two notes according to my instructions, and if all goes as expected, there will be another sovereign for you afterward. She had no intention of giving him a second sovereign. Besides, she had precious few to let.
One note is for Lady Frankie Gallwey, who is my best friend’s daughter, as you may recall. The other note is for Viscount Latham.”
“Yes, my lady,” the footman said, accepting the coin and the letters.
Endora smiled as she recalled how easily and quickly it had all fallen into place.It’s just a matter of time…
“Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Deville?” the dowager asked from behind.
Endora started and touched the delicate rose vine that surrounded the arbor containing the outdoor swing.Drat! Not Again. Must that crone keep hovering about me?Endora turned around with a smile pasted on her face. “I was just admiring your roses, Your Grace. I especially love these thornless ones. A pity they don’t bloom longer than a few weeks. They are Lady Banks white roses, are they not?”
“It warms my heart that we both have a mutual love of flowers.” The dowager smiled. “And you are correct, The Lady Banks roses only bloom in the summer. But they provide beautiful greenery in these later months,” the dowager answered.
Out of the corner of her eye, Endora saw Lady Gallwey leave Latham’s side and approach Lady Anders.Finally! The viscount was alone.Now, to get away from the old biddy.“Enjoy your roses, Your Grace, I think I see Lady Saunders, and I must ask her for her ratafia punch recipe.” She turned and hurried away. Turning down the garden path, she approached the viscount. “My lord, I had not expected you to be in attendance today,” she lied, placing her hands on his arm to gain his attention.
“Lady Deville, I was just thinking about you, and you’ve saved me the trouble of looking for you,” he said.
