Once again Lady Kilsyth sent a questioning look to Pickmore and then led them to her box.
Eve took a seat and looked toward the track. Soon the racing would start and with that, the real excitement.
“Good afternoon, Lady Kilsyth,” An older woman stated as she entered, followed by a young gentleman.
Lady Kilsyth quickly made introductions and through it all, Eve spoke not a word. When Mr. Hilliard moved to take the seat next to her, Kilsyth quickly slipped into it as Pickmore took the one on her other side. Mr. Hilliard frowned and settled beside his mother. However, even during conversations, Mr. Hilliard watched Eve with interest. It was all very disconcerting.
“Miss Doyle, here is the list of horses in the first race. Is there one you prefer?” Pickmore asked.
Thank goodness, something she could do without fear of speaking.
She picked up the listed and strained to read the print, but was unable to do so.
“Vanity has no place when practicality is required, Miss Doyle,” Kilsyth scolded. “I did not replace your spectacles so that they would be tucked away in your reticule and of no use to you.”
Her face heated, but Eve didn’t like to wear them in public. However, she did want to know who would be racing today, so she withdrew the spectacles, ducked her head and then scrolled through the names, familiar with most of them and settled on one, pointing it out to Pickmore.
“If I win, I’ll split the winnings with you,” he whispered as he rose to go place his bet.
As soon as the seat was vacated, Mr. Hilliard slid into it and turned to Eve.
“I don’t believe we’ve met before.” He smiled at her.
Eve shook her head.
“Is this your first time at Ascot.”
Again, she shook her head.
“Do you know much about horses?”
At that she nodded.
With each question and her non-verbal response, Mr. Hilliard’s smile slipped.
“Forgive me, but do you not talk?”
It was rather blunt of him, especially amongst those in Society, but Eve was not offended and admired the honesty of his question. After all, she wasn’t the one who decided to remain quiet but was doing it at the order of her guardian.
“Miss Doyle lost her voice,” Kilsyth lied.
Eve blinked at him. He told the falsehood so easily and it didn’t sit well with her. Not one bit, yet there was nothing she could do about it in this setting.
“Ah,” Mr. Francis said, smiling again. “I hope you enjoy the race.”
Inwardly Eve sighed. It was so hard to remain quiet and she must for the remainder of the afternoon. This just might be the most difficult thing she’d ever done.
Chapter 10
Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies,
Cornwall, England
“Since when are you suddenly interested in Mrs. Fairview’s journals,” Sophia asked when she found Eliza tucked in a chair reading through the pages.
Eliza put it aside and faced her friend, excitement in her grey eyes. “Since that mummy has yet to be recovered.”
“I doubt it will find its way here,” Sophia sank down onto her bed. Even though Bow Street had searched, they’d not been able to locate the mummy or the expensive artifacts. Given it’s been nearly two weeks, they could have been smuggled onto a ship and sailed out of England by now.
