“ShewasLady Worsley, but she took back ’er maiden name of Flemming when Lord Worsley cocked up ’is toes. ’Ere.” Molly whisked the towel off Kendra’s head, handing her another with which to dry herself as she stepped out of the tub.
“Their marriage was right wicked,” Molly continued, waiting for Kendra to put on a robe before ushering her to a small footstool in front of the fireplace. “Lady Worsley admitted ter ’aving scores of lovers, and even ran off with one, ’oo is said ter ’ave fathered ’er babe.” She picked up a bellows, pumping its handles to give the crackling fire an extra boost. “Lean forward.”
Kendra knew the drill. She stuck her head as close to the flames as she dared. She had never thought she’d miss a hairdryer.
“Lord Worsley sued ’er and ’er lover,” Molly continued cheerfully. “Butshesaid that it was ’er ’usband ’oo gave ’er lover permission ter see ’er naked in the bath! It was a right scandal, it was.”
“I can imagine.” But why was Kendra shocked? Human nature didn’t change. Sex scandals didn’t start in Hollywood. Or even ancient Rome. They’d been around forever.
Kendra’s thoughts drifted to Lord and Lady Westford’s open marriage. He had his left-handed wife and family on the side, plus who knows how many other mistresses. It looked like Lady Westford had also taken lovers, the last being Mr. Goldsten. Supposedly, both were satisfied with the arrangement. But if that wasn’t true, did it have anything to do with her murder?
The earl had to stay on the list, but Kendra was beginning to think that Lady Westford’s murder was connected to something bigger. Something more sinister.
“Then Lady Worsley accused another nobleman of giving ’er the clap,” Molly went on, happily scandalized. “After ’er ’usband died, she became a demi— a demino— demi—”
“Demimondaine,” Kendra supplied. This era’s version of a high-class call girl.
“Aye. That’s the word.”
“Mrs. Danbury told you all this?” Kendra couldn’t imagine the formidable housekeeper gossiping with Molly in such a way.
“Ooh, well . . . nay,” the maid confessed with a sheepish look. “’Annah told me about ’er when Oi said ye’d be goin’ ter a ball given by Lady ’Arrington.”
“Hannah?”
“Oi told ye, she’s ’is lordship’s scullery maid.” The maid retrieved a hairbrush from the vanity. “Scoot forward. Oi got some work ter do untangling these knots.”
Kendra always found it vaguely embarrassing to spend so much time on primping, but an hour and a half later, she couldn’t argue with the results. Molly might not be a fairy godmother, but she could create magic. The maid had styled Kendra’s hair high on her head, with a few loose tendrils she had painstakingly curled with heating tongs. Diamond hair ornaments twinkled like stars in Kendra’s raven locks.
Kendra thought the hairstyle made her neck look impossibly long. Or maybe that was the low-cut bodice of the silver gown Molly had selected. The thin silk shimmered like moonlight with every twist and turn of her body.
“Ooh, me lady, ye look ever so beautiful,” Molly breathed, taking a step back to admire her own handiwork. “Ye’ll be needing these,” she added, dashing to the wardrobe. She returned with a black velvet hooded cloak with a silver satin lining, and long white satin gloves. “’Tis a soft rain now and Oi don’t want ye ter get yer hair wet.”
Kendra was tugging on the gloves when Alec came through their connecting doors. Unlike the hours she’d spent getting ready, Alec had probably spent twenty minutes, but he looked damn good in what could probably pass for a tuxedo in her era. The exception was the snowy white cravat, instead of the modern bowtie.
“Perhaps we ought to stay home tonight,” he said, his mouth curving as he walked toward her. “I shall be fighting every man who ogles my wife.” He took her gloved hand, lifting it to press a kiss on her knuckles. “You are a sight to behold, my love.”
She smiled into his eyes. “You’re not so bad yourself, my lord.”
Surprise flashed across his face, then he let out a laugh. “A high compliment, indeed.” He glanced at Molly. “You did splendidly, Molly. I daresay, a French or Swiss lady’s maid could not have done better.”
“Ooh! Thank ye ever so much, me lord!” Blushing, Molly pressed a hand to her chest as she stared at Alec with starry-eyed devotion.
Kendra captured Alec’s arm, steering him to the door. “Come on, darling. My maid is about to swoon, and I don’t have the time to find the smelling salts.”
***
Carriages clogged the rain-slicked streets as the Beau Monde ventured out in search of entertainment. Kendra suspected that the Harrington Ball would be just one stop of many parties to keep them occupied until the wee hours of the morning.
“I’ve been told that Lady Harrington won’t be shocked by Lord and Lady Westford’s open marriage,” Kendra mused.
“Are you referring to the countess’ mother-in-law?”
She lifted her eyebrows. “I was actually talking about her sister. Her mother-in-law?”
“Who told you about the Sinner?”
“The Sinner?”
