They both drank the rest of their brandy, then set down their glasses. It was going to be an interesting season. Crawford had that last bit correct. There wasn’t much that slid past the marquess. He had an uncanny ability to see through everyone and everything.
Two
It was the day of Roslyn’s debut ball. They had attended an afternoon picnic that Lady Seabrook had hosted earlier that week, but other than that Roslyn had not officially been launched into society, and still Eden fought exhaustion. Preparing for Roslyn’s launch had taken its toll, and Eden feared she’d be too weary to do much at the ball. Not that she expected to actually enjoy the festivities. She’d be too busy ensuring everything went smoothly for Roslyn. Eden couldn’t wait for this event to be over so she could, well, not relax, but perhaps breathe a little easier. For now, though, she had mere hours before guests would start arriving. She just needed a few more moments to herself before then.
She’d unlikely relax fully until the entire season came to an end, and if Roslyn failed to secure a match, it would only all begin once more the following year. She didn’t know if she hoped that Roslyn found a suitable gentleman to marry or if she prayed she never did. After Eden’s own disastrous marriage, she was too bitter to not have a prejudiced view on the entirety of it all.
“Lady Moreland,” a maid said as she entered the parlor.
“Yes, Mary?” What could possibly have gone wrong now? It seemed like something did as soon as Eden took a moment to herself.
“You have a visitor,” she said. “Do you wish for me to show them in here?
A visitor? That didn’t seem at all like something good. Who the blazes was visiting now? Why couldn’t they wait to speak with her at the ball? On second thought, perhaps it was good they had arrived before the townhouse was packed with people. If this was another issue, she’d rather handle it sooner rather than later. “Who is it?” She had to know who to expect in order to prepare herself.
“It’s Mrs. Grant, my lady.”
Eden let out the breath she’d been holding. That was the best news. “Yes, show her in and have tea brought in.” They would have a friendly visit and she could inquire if Claudine could join them for dinner, as Roslyn had asked her to. She’d forgotten to send a missive to her.
Claudine entered the parlor and stopped in front of her. “Pardon my intrusion.” She grinned. “I do understand the importance of this evening. I expect you’re quite busy.”
“I am,” Eden replied, then returned her friend’s smile. “Not that my current circumstances portray that fact.” She gestured toward the chair across from her. “Please join me. I’ve sent for tea. You will stay awhile, right?”
“I will,” Claudine said. “At least long enough to visit and have tea. I have news I wish to share with you.”
It was so nice to have a friendly face to gaze upon. She’d been handling everything all on her own. Originally, Claudine had been supposed to help. That was before her father-in-law had spotted her at Hyde Park. “I hope that you’re not still hiding from Lord Artcrest.”
“Actually,” Claudine began. “I am not. That is part of my news. I no longer have to remain in hiding for fear he might force me back to his estate.”
“Is that so?” Eden sat up straighter. “What has happened to change that?”
“I’m to be married,” Claudine announced. Her smile widened at her news. Eden’s heart fell. She didn’t understand why this made her friend so happy. Hadn’t she sworn she’d never marry again?
“I don’t understand,” Eden said. “I didn’t think you had any suitors, and that you were not in search of any. Is he forcing you to wed?”
If the Viscount of Artcrest was making Claudine marry, she’d help her friend. They were both widows and part of the league. Claudine’s husband had died in the war. At least he’d had a noble death, unlike Eden’s promiscuous husband. Was it any wonder she was so bitter?
Claudine shook her head. “Artcrest is not making me marry anyone, but he does approve of my marriage prospect.”
Eden narrowed her gaze. “Then I fail to see why you are marrying. I’m afraid you must explain it all to me. This is rather confusing.”
“I understand how it might be. I’ve been quite vocal about my wish to never marry again.” She sighed. “But everything has changed. I’m in love, truly in love, Eden. He makes me incredibly happy.”
This was terrible. “You thought you loved your lieutenant too,” Eden reminded her. “Why is this different?”
Claudine drew in a breath. “You’re right. I did.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “How can I explain in a way you’ll understand?” She shook her head, then met Eden’s gaze. “You’re not even asking who I’m to marry?”
“Does that actually matter?” Eden wasn’t sure it did. She had little faith in men in general. “I suppose to you it does. Who is it then?” She realized she was being rude, but she’d never been more surprised in her entire life. Claudine was going to marry again. Claudine. The one widow she would have bet never would. The world was upside down and she did not know how to right it again.
“I’m going to marry the Earl of Wyndam,” she said.
Eden flinched. “The Dowager Countess of Wyndam’s grandson?” She pushed her eyebrows together. “The one she has claimed to be a confirmed bachelor. How…”
The more Claudine told her, the more confused she became. If Lord Wyndam was going to marry her… Could he be trusted? Would he do to Claudine what Eden’s husband had done to her? She prayed he’d be faithful to her friend, but she’d learned from experience that men couldn’t be trusted.
“Do you recall that masquerade we attended?” Claudine asked.
“I do.” Eden’s cheeks heated as she recalled that night. She’d done some rather scandalous things that evening. All of which that haunted her every day since. Some of her dreams were filled with what she had done, and she couldn’t forget, no matter how hard she tried. “What of it?”
