“Do you have proof, Ellen?” Somer asked.
Their friend looked down at the hands she had resting on the table.
“A hunch only, but I have woken at night with worry of what will become of my family if my father has lost all our funds.”
“I wish there was more we could do for you,” Dorrie added.
“Will your marriage make things easier for your family?” Samantha asked.
“It’s my hope it will.”
“Are you happy to be marrying Viscount Lester?” Somer added.
“It is a relief that at least through my marriage my siblings will be all right.”
“But are you happy, Ellen?”
“Not everyone is like a member of your family, Somer. Some marry for reasons other than love.” The words were softly spoken and to Samantha’s ear, tinged with sadness.
“I’m sorry,” Dorrie and Somer said at the same time.
“I will be happy enough and a viscountess. Plus, my family will be settled no matter what my father has done and continues to do.”
They changed the subject, as that one was clearly painful for Ellen. Samantha checked on her staff, who were happy chatting and eating, and then saw a man seated alone. He was watching her intently. When she looked his way, he stood and left the tea shop.
Odd.
“And now I must leave, as I am to meet Mother for a dress fitting.” Ellen rose. “It has been lovely to see you all again and to have you back with us, Samantha.”
“We will do this again soon,” Somer said.
“I’d love that.” Ellen hugged them and left.
“She has no wish to marry Viscount Lester,” Dorrie said.
“I know. But there is little we can do about it. You heard Ellen. She sees this as a way to save her family. I doubt her father would stop the marriage, as clearly he needs Viscount Lester’s funds to get him out of the trouble he has plunged into,” Somer said.
Samantha agreed it was a difficult situation for Ellen to be in but not unlike many society ladies. She thought briefly of the trouble that could befall her family if word got out her father had sold information to a French spy. She could not allow that to happen.
“And now it is time for us to go shopping. I must have a new dress for James’s charity ball this year,” Somer said.
“I was thinking of emerald green,” Dorrie added.
They chatted some more and then rose to leave. Climbing back into the carriage with Dorrie, Somer, and the maids, they drove the short distance to their next destination. When the carriage slowed, Samantha said, “Stay here, ladies, we will not be long. Just a quick visit to an old friend who is unwell, and then we will make our way to Bond Street.”
“His Grace wished us to keep an eye on you at all times,” Tina said.
“Which of course we will be doing,” Somer said. “We shall not be long.”
Dorrie tugged her out the door and shut it.
“We are just popping in to visit our old tutor and drop off the tonic Mrs. Huntington made him, Sam.”
“I will accompany you.”
“No need.” Samantha waved a hand over her head and walked on with a twin on either side of her.
“Don’t look back,” Somer said. “Take the opening to your right and make haste.”
