“That’s one way to describe her, but to return to the duel...”
“Do not say Luella and Jane went through with it or, worse yet, that Luella maimed this Jane in the process.”
“Luella wouldn’t have seen the duel through, even if she’d been given the chance,” Owen argued. “She simply wanted Jane to experience what it feels like to be placed in a humiliating situation.”
“Was the decision made to stop the duel before these young ladies had the opportunity to meet on some desolate field?”
“Jane evidently went directly to the headmistress after Luella issued her challenge, and the headmistress showed up the next morning on the field where the duel was supposed to take place instead of Jane. Needless to say, Luella was sent packing within the hour.”
“Of course she was since challenging someone to a duel isn’t exactly the conventional attitude finishing schools are trying to impart to their students.”
“I can’t argue with that because I doubt embracing an unconventional attitude is mentioned anywhere in a finishing school’s syllabus.” Owen caught Camilla’s eye. “Nevertheless, in caseyou’re concerned Luella wouldn’t be agreeable to adopting a conventional attitude, know that there’s a specific ball—Mr. Henry Fulton’s ball, to be exact—that she’s determined to attend at the beginning of June. She’s assured me that if I’ll escort her there, and if she’s able to figure out how to adopt a polished air, she’ll not have another go at Stanley, and ... she’ll try her best to behave in a ladylike fashion throughout the entire ball.”
Camilla blinked. “Did you just say Luella needs to adopt a polished air by June—ofthisyear?”
“I did.”
“That’s only a month away.”
“True, but from what Walter told me, you’re a very accomplished lady, so I’m sure you’d be more than able to whip Luella into shape by then.”
“I’m not a miracle worker, and ... did you also say that Stanley’s going to be in attendance?”
“I did, but did you miss the part where I said Luella promised to not have another go at him?”
“Given what is obviously a questionable temper, I’m not sure she’d be able to restrain herself if Stanley insults her again.”
“But Stanley’s mother, Ada Mae, will be there as well, and I know she won’t allow Stanley anywhere near Luella because she seems to like her son’s face.”
As far as conversations went, this was the most unusual one Camilla could ever recall participating in. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before she blew out a breath. “While I truly feel for your sister’s plight, Mr. Chesterfield, I’m sorry, but I cannot agree to step in and assist her, nor do I agree with her idea to attend this ball, especially not when the Murchendorfers will be in attendance.”
“You’re afraid Luella won’t be able to contain her temper?”
“I’m more afraid that she’ll walk into the ball and find herself immediately ostracized by the prominent families of Wheeling, no matter if she’s acquired a refined air or not.”
“Because?”
“Well, if I’m not mistaken, Stanley Murchendorfer is probably considered quite the catch in town. Believe me when I say that the ladies who have him in their sights will not be kind to the lady who punched him.”
“They might not be openly hostile if you’d walk into the ball beside Luella.”
“Which might be true if we were attending a ball in New York, but Wheeling is not New York. No one will have any idea who I am. And before you suggest we simply apprise them of my standing within the Four Hundred, that would be a serious breach of etiquette because it’s considered quite beyond the pale to purposely apprise anyone of a particular social status.”
“I think everyone would conclude on their own that you’re the personification of what a proper lady should be and would certainly curtail any impulses they may want to make toward Luella if she were in your company.”
“And while I thank you for that unexpected compliment,” Camilla returned, “I’m sorry, Mr. Chesterfield, but no. I cannot in good conscience agree to sponsor Luella because, while I understand you believe having me by her side will shield her from unkind remarks, I’m not convinced that will be enough. I would not want to be responsible for your sister suffering additional slights.”
Owen opened his mouth, but before he could get a word out, Bernadette came sauntering into the room, her gaze immediately going to and then lingering on Owen, her lips curving into a smile a second later as she dipped into a curtsy.
“Beggin’ your pardon for interrupting,” Bernadette began, sending a flutter of lashes in Owen’s direction before she turned to Mr. Timken. “The sheriff, along with a few of his deputies, have just arrived. I took the liberty of ushering them through the door since you were nowhere to be found. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to learn that I told them to make themselves at home in the blue drawing room.”
Mr. Timken frowned. “Why didn’t you escort them into the receiving room, where we usually take visitors?”
“I’m a lady’s maid, Mr. Timken. How would I know where to take visitors?” Bernadette countered before she shrugged. “Besides, these men aren’t your everyday visitors. They’re men of the law. I’ve always found it beneficial to go that extra mile where men of the law are concerned. Tends to make them less likely to cart anyone off to jail.”
“They’re not here to arrest anyone, Bernadette,” Mr. Timken said. “They’re here to take statements regarding the attempted abduction of Miss Camilla this morning.”
“That may be,” Bernadette shot back, “but Ember Starlight, an actress I dressed in the theater district, thought the lawmen who came backstage one night were just there to pay their respects to her. Before she had a chance to accept any flattery, though, she found herself hauled off to jail. Granted, she’d been helping herself to the contents of the cashbox when no one was looking, but still. It was quite the nasty surprise for her.”
