The woman smiled. “My dears, sometimes you just have to believe that Fate has plans. I think this morning proves that.”
Emmeline nodded. “Indeed, you are quite correct, Ma’am. But now that we are settled, will you not tell us your name? I would like to know how to address you…”
“Of course. You were both so cold and damp, I quite forgot the niceties in my attempts to warm you up.”
“You succeeded admirably,” said Prudence, with gratitude. “My feet are already more comfortable. But I too would love to know your name.”
“I’m Hecate Ridlington.”
Prudence thought for a few moments, knowing she’d heard the name before.
“What a beautiful name,” enthused Emmeline. “It sounds familiar.”
Hecate shrugged and poured tea. “I believe the original Hecate was a goddess, but I can assure you I’m far from that.”
Prudence looked at her, noting the elegant fingers and the long delicate neck. She was pretty certain she’d noticed a slight limp—and the pieces fell into place.
“I think we met once.”
Hecate glanced up, a look of surprise on her face. “Really? Forgive me, I usually have a good memory for faces, and I can’t say as I recall.”
“It was several years ago,” Prudence was a little hazy on the details herself. “In London, a musicale, I believe. I was there with my late husband, Lord Eldridge.”
“Ahhh, now I remember.” Hecate smiled. “Although I have to say there was a good reason I didn’t recognize you. You have changed a lot in the intervening years.”
“Yes, that’s bound to be true.” Prudence nodded. “Although losing one’s husband is hard, the period of mourning does teach one a measure of independence.”
“I didn’t know,” said Emmeline, eyes wide as she absorbed the conversation.
“No reason that you should,” answered Pru. “We barely spoke at the Fête, and this morning we were both cold and wet.” She turned to Hecate. “And we found your home. Which seems a little strange, since no one has mentioned it and Little Chillendale is nothing if not intimate when it comes to its residents.”
Hecate sipped her tea. “I haven’t been here very long. And I prefer not to mingle much. At the moment I am enjoying the solitude.”
Prudence glanced around her as she buttered a warm scone and then took a sip of the unusual herbal tea. There was a comfortable blaze in the fireplace, several pieces of fine porcelain on the mantel, a lovely carpet and all the trappings of a lady’s residence. A lady that had resided there for more than a month or two. Odd.
“But if you’ll forgive me my curiosity, I would love to know why you two lovely girls were wandering through snowy lanes unaccompanied early in the morning? Not that I’m complaining because I delight in your presence here, but you have to admit it is a little out of the ordinary.”
Emmeline put down her scone and sighed. A huge sigh for such an ethereal blonde. “Men.”
“Ah, well then. That explains everything.” Hecate almost hid her grin.
Pru grinned as well. “As a matter of fact, yes it does. A man is the reason I was out at a very early hour and I’d already walked a mile or so before I met you, Emmeline.”
“Good lord, girls. This won’t do.” Hecate leaned back in her chair. “Neither of you should be allowing a mere man to drive you out into the snow.”
“Well, to be fair, I left of my own accord. Mine was still asleep.”
“Prudence.” Emmeline’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes, dear. Really. I’m older than you and a widow. It’s quite acceptable.” She made the statement with as much authority as she could muster, hoping that Emmeline would believe her, since it wasn’t acceptable at all.
“Oh. I see.” Emmeline relaxed. “I didn’t leave Brent. I left my parents. They were on at me over breakfast, you see.”
“About what?” asked Hecate.
“About Brent. He’s a Viscount. Mama wants me to marry well, and I was supposed to be Reid Chillendale’s Mistletoe Marchioness, but I wasn’t terribly excited about it and then I met Brent who is wonderful and who likes me and we talked for hours last night and…” she ran out of breath, filled her lungs and continued, “and I want to marry Brent. But he’ll think that Mama is the one behind it and won’t believe that a silly girl like me could have fallen in love with him in five minutes.” Her lower lip trembled and those huge blue eyes glistened over with unshed tears.
“Hmm.” Hecate gazed at Emmeline. “I must give that one a bit of thought.” She switched her gaze to Prudence. “And your man is…”
