“It was quite an adventure. We interrupted a well-known ladyin flagrantewith a man who was not her husband. Most entertaining and revealing regarding the ‘act’ between a man and woman.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
Our driver stopped at the entryway to the main entrance hall, and we stepped down from the coach. Two liveried attendants flanked the entrance, and Brodie once more presented our invitation. We then made our way, along with other guests, into the main hall.
It was ornately decorated with bunting and swags that led into the grand saloon.
I felt Brodie’s hand on my arm as we joined the procession of well-wishers who had been invited to join the celebration and now offered their best wishes and greetings to HRH and the Princess of Wales. Along with Prince George and his wife, Mary of Teck, recently married in July, and sister Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife and her husband.
“Lady Forsythe,” HRH greeted me with a keen eye then to Brodie. “We are pleased that you have joined us this evening, and Mr. Brodie. It is good to see you as well. Perhaps the evening will allow the opportunity for us to speak of your work.”
I caught the unspoken comment beneath the formality.
“Of course,” Brodie replied.
“Lady Montgomery arrived earlier,” the Princess of Wales then informed us. “Always a pleasure to see her once more. She does make the festivities quite lively.”
With that, we moved ahead toward the saloon. I took the opportunity to point out guests I knew.
“Lord Salisbery?” Brodie inquired.
With a look about, I finally saw him. “Near the arched entrance to the great hall, speaking with a man wearing an obvious wig and wine-colored waistcoat.”
He watched both men.
“And the man who just approached them?”
“Sir Knollys, His Highness’s personal secretary.”
It did appear that the Prince of Wales wasted no time as Sir Knollys glanced toward us and then approached.
“Mr. Brodie, His Highness has asked if you might join him and Lord Salisbery in the library.”
Brodie gave me a look, then replied, “Of course.”
He was no stranger to royal encounters and HRH had spoken of a meeting that would be easily accommodated at the gathering. Still, there was some urgency in Sir Knollys’s manner.
And it very much appeared that I was not to be included. I ignored the omission as it was not the first time. But far more important, I had no desire to cause a scene or to delay his meeting with Lord Salisbery.
It was one of those things that was most irritating—putting a woman in her place. Said place being the receiving line at a society function or the bedroom.
Not my first experience, and assuredly not the last. However, I knew that Brodie would share everything with me afterward, and it was possible that Lord Salisbery would reveal things with him that he would not otherwise in my presence.
I smiled at Sir Knollys as they departed for the library. He was, after all, simply performing his duties. Yet I was mindful to keep any comment to myself.
I watched as they departed, then went in search of my great aunt. Finding her in the crowded saloon was not difficult. She looked up as I approached.
“Here you are!” she greeted me as she sailed toward me in a brilliant blue gown that emphasized her silver hair and vivid blue eyes.
She did have a way of parting the crowds with a simple nod and a smile as she greeted one guest, then another.
“So good to see you again, Arthur.”
“Jonathan, how marvelous and your lovely lady as well,” she greeted them as she swept toward me. It was quite entertaining to watch her.
The last greeting was for Lady Sharp, who had taken her husband’s name and whose features were quite…sharp! To the point of being almost frightening. Proof that title and wealth could always be relied upon to acquire a husband.
“Mikaela, dear.” She finally reached me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “So good to see you again.” She looked about as if searching for someone.
