Meredith flushed with guilty relief, pleased to discover Lavinia had no immediate plan to withdraw from Society. It would be intolerable trying to endure the final weeks of the Season without her friend attending at least some of the events.
“I am very happy for you, Lavinia. You shall make a wonderful mother.”
“Thank you.” Lavinia’s eyebrows raised. “Oh, dear, Lady Tolliver has spotted us and is gesturing for us to join her. I know how much she grates on your nerves, so I will not ask you to accompany me while I give her my regards.”
“You are a true friend.”
“Yes, I am.” The marchioness glanced anxiously among the guests. “Will you be all right on your own?”
“Stop worrying about me,” Meredith said, though her stomach tightened momentarily at the idea of being alone.
“We can meet near the Grecian folly on the other side of the ornamental lake,” Lavinia suggested. “In an hour?”
“Perfect.”
“Don’t forget your shawl.” Lavinia began removing the lovely garment from her shoulders but Meredith held up her hand.
“No, you wear it. There is bound to be more of a breeze near the water.” She winked at her friend. “After all, we must keep you in the best of health.”
The marchioness’s twinkling laugh lingered long after she strode away. With a small sigh, Meredith turned and lifted her parasol onto her shoulder, positioning it at the exact angle to protect her face from the sun. She wasn’t especially interested in preventing the warmth from reaching her skin, but the device helped shield her from prying eyes.
Assuring herself there was no reason for her heart to race and her nerves to twitch, Meredith moved forward to stroll with the other ladies and gentlemen over the gravel walks and sections of lawn. She returned the cool regard she received with a haughty watchfulness, the grip on her parasol tightening with each step.
“Lady Meredith. What a delightful surprise.”
Lord Jonathan Travers stepped directly in her path, neatly trapping her. Two large trees flanked them on either side, making it impossible to go around him. After a fractional hesitation, Meredith returned the young man’s greeting.
Though the number of her male admirers had dwindled during the Season, there were still those who thought her a challenge. Or a curiosity.
She had yet to decide Lord Travers’s motivation. He was a rather serious young man who put far too much stock in the opinion of others and could always be counted upon to supply the dullest of conversations.
Still, Meredith could think of worse things than spending a few moments in his company. She resolved to be pleasant and took comfort knowing she could escape in an hour and meet Lavinia by the water. With a glazed eye and a contrived expression, she turned her attention to Lord Travers.
“Are you enjoying the afternoon, Lord Travers?”
“All the more now that I have found you, Lady Meredith.”
Meredith gave him a distant smile, not wanting to encourage him in any way. She and Lavinia might have joked about it earlier, but the very last thing Meredith wanted was another marriage proposal.
Resolved to keep the attention away from herself, Meredith found she had little difficulty getting her escort to speak of other subjects—or offer his opinion. She wisely declined to offer hers, since it so seldom agreed with his.
With her fingers resting lightly on his arm, the pair strolled amiably in the sunshine.
The scream pierced the glib conversation with alarming suddenness—high pitched, female, and drenched in sheer terror.
“My God,” Meredith whispered. She turned in the direction of the sound, then back to her male companion. “What was that horrible noise?”
Lord Travers blanched under his tan. “It sounded like an animal caught in a trap.”
“It couldn’t be.”
Without conscious thought, Meredith moved forward, following the crowd that hurried across the lawn, then through the large cluster of trees. Men were yelling and running about, shouting questions and instructions with equal excitement.
Most of the women were staying deliberately out of the fray, though a few were bold or curious enough to follow the ever growing crowd. As they reached the small clearing and veered left, Meredith at last realized where they were heading. The lake.
Her step quickened as her heart began to pound with fear. She was to meet Lavinia at the lake in less than fifteen minutes’ time. A eerie vision slipped into Meredith’s head, weaving through the fear in her mind. A body, lying prone on the bank. Still. Unmoving.
Meredith gasped. Her heart slammed against her ribs. She dropped her parasol, lifted her gown above her ankles and quickened her pace. Dodging the slower walkers, she weaved among the crowd, gaining speed with each step. By the time she reached the muddy edge of the lake perspiration dampened her skin and her gasping breathing burned in her lungs.
