“What gave you such hope, Lillian?” Fi murmured. “What changed in your life?”
Footsteps and voices interrupted her musing. She looked up to see the other Angels troop into the drawing room.
“How did the training with Mrs. Peabody go?” she asked.
“Badly for us, as usual.” Glory stopped at the sideboard to get herself tea and shortbread. As she plopped into an adjacent chair, her ferret clambered onto her lap and made himself at home on her dotted skirts. “We did a practice round, and Mrs. Peabody beat all three of us.At the same time.”
“Something lit the fire in her,” Livy agreed.
“I think it wasn’t something but rathersomeone.” Pippa shared Fiona’s settee, her blue eyes bright with humor. “And his name rhymes with ‘gawker.’”
“He was in quite the mood when I arrived.” Fi arched her brows. “Anyone care to wager on how long it will take for them to get together?”
“Not another wager,” Glory grumbled. “I always lose.”
Nonetheless, she made her bet along with the others.
“I see you’re re-reading Lillian’s letters.” Pippa glanced at the notes on the seat cushion. “Any new discoveries?”
“No, but I was wondering what happened to change Lillian’s perspective during this period.”
Fi showed the others Lillian’s oddly optimistic letter.
Glory furrowed her brow. “Perhaps Lillian landed an excellent role?”
“Maybe that was why she left Pandora’s Box soon thereafter. A better opportunity came along,” Livy mused.
“One hopes it was a better opportunity. The timing of this letter also coincides with when Lillian met that fellow Hutchings mentioned. Perhaps her new beau was responsible for her change of heart.” Pippa frowned. “Something seems amiss in this letter. The part about ‘citizens of a free and just society’ doesn’t sound at all like Lillian’s previous writing.”
“I agree,” Fi said. “I hope Vera Engle will be able to shed some light on the matter.”
“We don’t need to leave for a while yet.” Pippa’s smile was impish. “Which gives us time to catch up…and ask you how married life is going.”
Faced with her friends’ inquisitive gazes, Fi felt her cheeks warm.
“You’re blushing.” Pippa chuckled. “Thingsmustbe going well.”
“My married life is as it should be,” Fi said with great dignity.
“I am glad to hear it, dear.” Livy’s eyes sparkled above the rim of her cup. “Is there anything you’d care to discuss with us married ladies?”
Fi gnawed on her bottom lip. “Actually, there is one thing.”
“Here we go.” Rolling her eyes, Glory stretched and rose. “I think this is where FF II and I will take our leave.”
“You don’t have to go,” Fi protested.
“I promised I’d spend the afternoon with my brothers anyway. But I shall see you at the ball tomorrow night?”
The annual ball, hosted by Livy’s parents, the Duke and Duchess of Strathaven, was acrème de la crèmeaffair and would mark Fiona’s first public appearance as a married lady. While newlyweds were afforded privacy, staying out of the public eye too long could lead to gossip. Truth be told, Fi looked forward to stepping out on Hawk’s arm. And yes, that wicked, rebellious part of her also wanted to show her critics that she’d succeeded where they told her she could not: Miss Banks was now the happily married Countess of Hawksmoor.
Fi had ordered a new gown from Mrs. Q and consulted with Hawk’s valet, Livingston, to coordinate Hawk’s finery with her own. When Hawk had teased her about her labors for a mere ball, she’d told him,“A title is like a superb figure. If you have one, you might as well show it off.”While Hawk had seemed amused, she knew he didn’t fully understand her need to cement her new position. How could he when he’d been a titled blue blood his entire life?
“Hawk and I will be there,” Fi promised.
After Glory left, Livy tilted her head. “Now, what is your question?”
Fi blurted, “What are your, um, sleeping arrangements?”
