“And happy to be so rather than a curmudgeonly old woman like you,” her sister said, poking out her tongue.
She’d won well three nights ago. For all, it had been the most uncomfortable evening she’d spent so far at the tables. If Evie could choose to never see two men again, it would be Lords Hamilton and Cavendish. Yet, that night, she’d sat with both, gambling with social disgrace, dressed as a Frenchman, and won well, while they shot arrows of displeasure at each other and exchanged cutting words.
“Why can we spend frivolously on ices today, when a few days ago we could not?” Prue asked.
“Because I worked through our finances again, and things are not as dire as I’d first thought.” In fact, what she’d earned had eased the financial burden greatly. They still needed to show caution, but an ice was now within the budget.
“Goody,” Prue said, sounding five years old.
They entered the park through a gate no one from society used. The walks were a trifle overgrown, but the Spencer sisters had found it not long after their arrival in London. Here they could walk in solitude before they frequented the more socially acceptable areas.
“I danced with a man last night who seemed very nice, Evie. We talked on a great many topics.”
“Did you? Well, I’m glad to hear it.” Evie knew who her sister meant but waited to have it confirmed.
“Mr. Landon. He has a very nice smile and is charming.”
“Excellent.”
She often thought about what would happen when Prue married and Evie was left alone with her father. She would miss her sister dearly, as they shared everything, but if Prue was happy, that was all she could ask for.
“What is happening over there, do you think?” Prue pointed to the left to a line of trees.
“I have no idea, but there appears to be a group of people beyond them. It is hard to tell what they are doing from here.”
“Then we must investigate,” Prue said.
“Must we? We are walking and then going to Gunter’s. Why do we care what a group of people we likely do not know are doing?”
“Yes, we must,” Prue said walking in that direction.
“Perhaps they want to be left alone?” Evie followed.
“If they wanted to be left alone, they would do so in a more private setting.”
“They’re behind some trees in an area of the park hardly anyone uses,” Evie protested.
“I just want to see what they are about, Evie. They could be murdering someone.”
“Yes, and of course if they are we would simply introduce ourselves and say, stop, don’t do that? Come, this is not for usto investigate,” Evie said. Before she could leave, a man she met most evenings in society ballrooms walked through the trees toward them.
“Miss Spencer, Miss Prudence Spencer,” Lord Corbyn said bowing. “How lovely to see you.” His smile seemed genuine, and not that of someone with murder on their mind.
“Apologies, my lord, we were just leaving,” Evie said.
“Why are you apologizing?”
Prue turned to look at her, as if to say, yes, Evie, what are you apologizing for?
“I can see you are… have something—”
“Archery,” he said cutting her off, as clearly she had no idea what to say next. “We play here once a month. If you would care to watch, then by all means do.”
“Oh no—”
“We would love to, Lord Corbyn. My sister is an exceptionally skilled archer,” Prue said.
“Is she? Well then, come along.” He walked back through the row of trees.
