“It did not appear so, no,” Elswyth said. “I saw no wedding bands, and they were both quite young. That, and they saw me watching and gave chase.”
“Watching?” Mrs. Rose said.
Elswyth rolled her eyes and dunked another piece of bread in the stew. “I didn’t know what else to do. I came upon them and was trying not to be discovered.”
Mrs. Rose thought for a moment, tapping her finger on thetable. “Giving a lady thegreen gownin the hedge maze. How scandalous. And you’re certain they saw you?”
“I disguised myself as topiary—quite more exhausting than making a few flowers,” she said.
“Clever, I suppose. Your green thumb comes in handy once again,” Mrs. Rose said, “but I’m afraid we find ourselves in a predicament. If the lady and gentleman are of society, as you suggest, then they will use any means necessary to cover up their transgression.”
“What for? I thought such things were common. Natural, even,” she said.
Mrs. Rose looked aghast. “Perhaps for commoners, but never for a lady. What if she were to become pregnant? Her bloodline would be polluted by bastards.”
Mrs. Rose said the word with unusual distaste, turning up her nose. “It’s quite important, of course, for a lady of good breeding to maintain her good breeding. No, what you witnessed isnotacceptable. And it is not fortunate that they saw your face.”
“But they do not know who I am, and I do not know who they are. What harm could come of it?”
“Certainly they will not see it that way, if their very fortunes are on the line. A young lady who is not a virgin is no young lady at all, Miss Elderwood. She will be unmarriageable. Her reputation ruined. And as you well know, a young woman’s marriage prospects are often a family’s political and financial prospects. If I were her—if I were herfather—I would take very drastic steps to ensure my daughter’s reputation remains unimpeachable.”
Elswyth frowned. She thought again to what the man said:What would you have had me do? Slit her throat?The woman had said nothing in reply, and Elswyth did not like the implication.Would they really have killed her to keep their secret? Who else in London would kill for the same? Her sister was ever fond of gossip. Had she discovered something she was not meant to know? She thought again of the bouquet, sitting on the vanity. Hellebore meant calumny. Social ruination, the greatest fear of all the women of society. But was good standing worth killing for?
Beware,Elswyth thought again,I am dangerous.
Elswyth spoke. “Let us hope my anonymity protects me.”
Mrs. Rose considered for a moment and then gestured to the left side of Elswyth’s face. She looked at Elswyth with a sympathetic expression. “Unfortunately, my dear, you are of a singular countenance.”
Elswyth’s fingers moved to her left hand, where her scar traced out from beneath her sleeve. The same scar that consumed the left side of her face, there for all to see. “Of course. How many young women in London bear a disfiguration such as mine? If they do not know me yet, they soon will.”
Mrs. Rose lowered her hand and laid it on Elswyth’s. “Fret not, dear. I have faced worse setbacks than this. We move forward regardless. We continue preparing for your presentation to the queen and your tableau vivant.”
Elswyth scowled. She thought perhaps she could segue this incident into some time away from Mrs. Rose, time to search for information about her sister. But the matchmaker was not so easily deterred.
Mrs. Rose, perhaps noting Elswyth’s dour expression, quickly took her hand away, settling it on her reticule. “Oh, and Miss Elderwood, I imagine today might have awakened certain… curiosities.” She cocked her head. “It’s only natural. But I must warn you, as yourmentor, not to indulge such impulses. To do so only leads to heartbreak and ruination.”
Elswyth almost laughed. “You think I’m going to throw myself into the hands of some rake, now that I’ve witnessed lovemaking? I may be young, Mrs. Rose, but I am not totally naïve to matters of the flesh. I make a study of it, in fact.”
“I suppose. But you would be surprised how many young ladies I’ve worked with develop ablockagebefore they are wed. It makes the matter of finding a husband all the more urgent.”
“Ablockage? You mean they become pregnant.”
“Oh, no, dear. An unwed lady is never pregnant. But a few do develop menstrual blockages. If that were to be the case, one would need to get the blockage removed. And that can be a remarkably harrowing procedure.”
Elswyth took a bite of bread. “I am aware of what an abortion is, Mrs. Rose.”
Mrs. Rose made an indignant sound. “For shame! None of my girls have ever needed something like that. But… if one were to become quick with child, there are only two things to be done. The first is to wed swiftly. Preferably to the father, but if not, it becomes necessary to wed the first man that offers and make a cuckold of someone. Not ideal, naturally. The second is feign some illness until the child is born or claim to go on a tour abroad for a year. When the bastard does come, it’s right to the orphanage. Then the girl can return the next year and try again for a husband. But society is not stupid. Some will gossip, and one’s chances of finding a proper match are greatly diminished. No one wants a ruined woman for a bride, after all.”
Elswyth frowned, chewing her bread. She looked over to the vanity where Persephone’s bouquet waited. But no… Persephonemight have been a flirt, but she wasn’t stupid. She wouldn’t despoil herself if it would interfere with her chance at a rich, genteel husband. And the rest of the bouquet still didn’t make sense.
Elswyth swallowed her bread and took another sip of wine. “Well, you needn’t worry about that. I amof a singular countenance, as you say. Not many men are lining up to deflower me.”
Mrs. Rose sighed. “You might think so, but you underestimate men. There are all sorts of tastes in the world, you know. No matter how ugly you believe yourself to be, there is someone, somewhere, who thinks you are the most perfect person in the world. Even with your scars.”
“That is… strangely kind. Or insulting. I’m not sure,” Elswyth said.
Mrs. Rose ignored her, sighing. Then she reached into her reticule and produced a small vial filled with purplish liquid. She clutched it for a moment as if considering.
