After a hot bath, Lorelei felt completely restored. Well, almost. A yellow muslin, trimmed in ivory satin with a myriad of small bows edging the seams on both sides from the bodice down the length of the frock, went far toward those efforts. The dress was sunshine in and of itself.
“Bethie, send Andrews for the carriage. I shall be attending Lady Dankworth’s tea with Lady Maudsley.”
“Aye, my lady.” Bethie marched from the room.
Less than an hour later, Lorelei found the streets more crowded than usual, making the drive a hindrance. But she knew the gossip that flowed through Lady Dankworth’s would be well worth her efforts in the end. Not only did she have hopes of gaining information about the elusive Miss Hollerfield, but it was the perfect opportunity to find out who she might contact in the Foreign Office regarding Brandon’s location.If he was still alive.She swallowed the sudden lump. Crying wouldn’t help her brother. Or lessen the hurt inflicted by Thorne. Or her body’s own betrayal—
She refused to dwell on the man. On the breadth of his shoulders, on which she’d learned to lean, or the gaze of his gray eyes that never seemed to miss a thing.
But despite her determination, thoughts of his, firm yet soft, sensuous lips intruded. His hot breath on her neck turned her to mush, despite his betrayal. Her treacherous body infuriated her. Even now her lips burned with the taste of him. She clenched a fist, furious with him, with herself. Then she unclenched it and breathed as deeply as her confining corset allowed. She would need all her wits about her for thissocial outing.
The carriage slowed and shook with the placement of the steps for her exit. The door opened, and Lorelei snatched up her matching bonnet.Once inside the town house, Lorelei stripped off her bonnet, pelisse, and gloves, and handed them over. Patting her hair into place, she followed the butler up the stairs to the parlor.
She’d visited Lady Dankworth many times over the past few years, and never would she get accustomed to this room. Overdone in pinks and roses, there was nothing subtle about the entire display. The settee, the chairs, the drapes, the linings—each and every one were a different shade of pink.
Even the doilies covering the tables were of the palest orchid. Word was the late Lord Dankworth detested the color, and upon his demise… well, one only had to walk into this room to see how Lady Dankworth regarded the late Lord Dankworth. It made one wonder if the rest of the residence patterned the same atrocity. Lorelei had a feeling it did.
Ladies Smythe and Faulk sat near the window, their heads together, whispering animatedly, while Ladies Peachornsby, Martindale, and Alymer were gathered more centrally, giggling amongst themselves. Lorelei’s eyes stayed on Lady Faulk. Her husband was in public life, if Lorelei wasn’t mistaken. It was just a matter of subtlety.
“Ah, Lady Kimpton, how delightful of you to join us.” Lady Dankworth spoke loudly, drawing the other ladies’ attention. Her pink silk skirts rustled softly as she glided across the room to greet Lorelei. “We were uncertain…” A small, awkward pause ensued. Lorelei waited. “Er, you see…” A long hush fell over the chamber.
The hair on Lorelei’s nape lifted. “Uncertain?”
“In light of Lord Kimpton’s… er… foolishness…”
Fury burned through Lorelei, overpowering her dread. But she had come here to learn, hadn’t she? Survival in town required acting skills worthy of Sarah Siddons. “Yes, it’s quite dreadful,” she murmured.
Lady Dankworth patted her hand. “Come, come, Lady Kimpton. Pray join us. Tea with a splash of brandy makeseverythingbetter.”
Lorelei had no doubts where that was concerned. If she was to get through the afternoon with these women, she ventured she would need more than just a splash, however.
Lady Dankworth hooked an arm through hers and dragged her toward Lady Peachornsby, who was already pouring out a cup. “Sit, sit, my dear. Lady Dankworth was just telling us how she spotted Lord Kimpton speaking to that awful Miss Hollerfield in the middle of the street just two days past.” She sniffed. “Dreadful woman.”
One thousand pounds, Lorelei chanted silently. Perhaps she would retire to Kimpton for the rest of her two-week prison sentence. The thought held merit.
She accepted the cup from Lady Peachornsby. “Thank you.” She took a healthy sip and choked on the amount of brandy.
Lady Peachornsby pounded her on the back. “Don’t worry, dear. It only burns for a moment.”
Lorelei nodded, blinking back tears. She took a more cautious sip. Truly, it wasn’t so bad in small doses. “Lord Kimpton was seen speaking to Miss Hollerfield?” Surely that wasn’t her voice squeaking like a frightened mouse.
“Perhaps we ought not to speak about it,” Lady Dankworth said.
Lorelei cleared her throat and waved her hand. “Whyever not, Lady Dankworth? Please, feel free.” The words popping from her own mouth gave her pause. She’d never spoken so openly with others.
The elder woman leaned forward, her eyes glittering with excitement. “Well—”
Lorelei took another sip, if only to keep from slapping the glee from her expression.
“I was walking Mr. and Mrs. Wriggles—”
Confused, Lorelei straightened. “Mr. and Mrs. Wriggles?”
“My adorable little pugs.” Offended, she pointed to the corner, where indeed Mr. and Mrs. Wriggles looked up from their elaborately madepinkbeds, cocking their heads upon hearing their names.
Goodness, they were smart. “Oh, yes. Of course.” Lorelei handled a gulp this time, downing the entire contents. How could she have forgotten Mr. and Mrs. Wriggles. She held out her emptied cup to Lady Peachornsby. “More, please.”
Undaunted, Lady Dankworth went on. “As I was saying, Mr. and Mrs. Wriggles and I were out for our daily jaunt when Miss Hollerfield called out to your husband.” Her long nose wrinkled as if something odious smelled, forcing Lorelei to bite the inside of her cheek to hold back a giggle. “She said she was carrying something, but I failed to hear exactly what it was she was carrying.”
