“See to that wound while I consult the magistrate. He will need to view the body. After that, we must return to London.”
Guy searched his friend’s sharp gray eyes. He was bone-tired and had no strength left to argue. “As you wish, but I won’t leave until Vincent is interred in the family crypt.”
“Yes, of course.”
Guy sighed. “What must Hetty be thinking?”
“I visited Miss Cavendish. She is concerned, naturally.”
“Zut!” Guy rested his head in his hands. It had taken quite a battering of late. “I must get word to her.”
“Sorry, Guy. Parnham expects us at Whitehall,” John said. “Send a note to put Miss Cavendish’s mind at rest. But say no more.”
Chapter Nineteen
Hetty paced aroundthe parlor earning an appeal from her aunt. She had barely slept after the trip to Hampstead. When she and the duchess called at Berkley Square, they were told Lord Strathairn had not returned. They could do nothing but go home and wait. Hetty had never found waiting easy, but now it was a torment.
Fanny wrote to say she would call at two o’clock. Hetty groaned. “Oh, not now. I can’t see Fanny while all this is happening!”
She and Fanny hadn’t met since she’d come to London. She guessed that Fanny’s season had been carefully orchestrated by her mother. Fanny had been presented in the Queen’s drawing room and would have danced at Almack’s. She would be bubbling over with news. Hetty only wished she was in a fit enough state to enjoy every detail.
As the clock struck two, Fanny swept in, dressed in a very smart half-dress of striped primrose yellow sarcenet, richly trimmed around the hem. Her face was rounder, and she’d developed quite a confident air. Pleased to find her looking so at home in her new surroundings, Hetty hugged her. Lady Kemble followed in a Turkey-red gown and puce turban.
“Almack’s is de trop,” Fanny said, ignoring her mother’s frown as she selected another tart from the cake stand. “You require a voucher from one of the lady patronesses to attend.” She giggled. “I danced with so many partners I can’t remember their faces, let alone their names.”
“No one was of particular interest to you?” Hetty asked, as her aunt poured more tea.
Lady Kemble took the flowery china cup and saucer with a nod in Aunt Emily’s direction. “Viscount Rothwell is enamored of Fanny. As are several gentlemen.”
Fanny wrinkled her nose. “Rothwell is too old.”
“Nonsense,” Lady Kemble said. “He’s years off forty with a large estate in Sussex.”
“He seems old.” A mulish expression tugged Fanny’s mouth down at the corners. “I don’t care for him.” She replaced her cup in its saucer. “Mr. Bonneville pleases me.”
“Forget Bonneville. He is known to be in dun territory and is in the market for a rich wife. Your dowry would not be acceptable to him, Fanny. He merely flirts with you.”
“I’ve met Mr. Bonneville,” Hetty said. “He has big, sorrowful brown eyes like a puppy.”
Fanny gave a trill of laughter. “That’s Bonneville precisely! Such a dear face.”
Lady Kemble turned her frown on Hetty. “You do look peaky, Miss Cavendish. You must make sure you get your sleep. A young lady in search of a husband needs a good complexion.”
Hetty swallowed and looked away.
“Hetty is a little tired,” Aunt Emily said quickly. “Her social life has been such a whirl.”
There was an uncomfortable silence, during which Hetty strained her ears for any activity in the street outside.
“Do you know if Lord Fortescue is in London, Hetty?” Fanny asked.
“I’m not sure where he is at present,” Hetty replied, careful to modulate her tone. She rubbed her bare finger. It distressed her, but she’d decided to remove her ring. News of her betrothal had not reached Fanny’s ears, and it wasn’t prudent to mention it now. She fought to maintain her composure, but her hand shook, and her cup rattled in its saucer.
“You’re very fidgety, Miss Cavendish,” Lady Kemble said with a sharp-eyed stare. “I was surprised to learn your father permitted you to come to London.”
“Is it so very surprising?” Aunt Emily’s eyes glittered. “My brother loves his daughter and wants the best for her.”
“I’m sure he does.” Lady Kemble put down her cup and saucer. She rose from her seat. “We must go. We have many calls to make, and then Fanny needs to rest before the ball this evening.”
