“Mr. Laurent said he hadn’t told anyone,” Olivia said. “But the story is obviously out, and Lady Brenton is sufficiently angry about it to want revenge. I do have some sympathy about this, but I’m also convinced that Mr. Laurent isn’t the source of the gossip.”
“So many lies and misdirections,” Carenza said. “Sometimes I hate the society we have created.”
“We haven’t created it,” Olivia said. “And there is no reason why we have to constantly bow to its demands.”
“Easy for you to say,” Allegra sniffed. “Not all of us are fabulously wealthy widows. My chances of making a good marriage are constantly hampered by society’s view of my parents as undesirables.”
“There you go again, accepting defeat without even trying,” Olivia said.
“I am trying.” Allegra glared at her. “And I do not appreciate you making light of my misfortune.”
“Can we perhaps get back to the matter in hand?” Carenza asked. “We have agreed to speak to Aragon, and we are fairly certain that Lady Brenton wishes Julian ill and has no intention of stopping. What else do we have to worry about?”
“Mr. Cox? Calloway? Our identities being revealed?” Olivia raised her eyebrows. “In your desire to protect Mr. Laurent have you forgotten about our own peril?”
“The two things appear to be linked, Olivia,” Carenza replied. “If we can stop Percival, I suspect we’ll have nothing to fear. His only interest in the matter is because he suspects Julian is involved.”
“I hope you are right.” Olivia didn’t look convinced as she rose. “I’ll be off. Let me know when Aragon can speak to us. In the meantime, I’ll speak to my godmother about organizing that charity ball.”
Carenza rose also and went over to Olivia to kiss her cheek. “I’ll write a note to Aragon now and let you know the arrangements as soon as possible.”
Olivia left and Allegra rang for more tea.
“As per usual, Olivia takes no responsibility for her actions over the advertisement. She always attempts to shift the blame to you, sister,” Allegra said. “I find her quite infuriating sometimes.”
“Don’t we all,” Carenza said. “But I still believe her heart is in the right place.”
“I agree,” Maude said. “She’s been very kind to me recently.”
“How are matters between you and Gerald?” Carenza asked.
Maude took a deep breath. “He’s going back to Brussels.”
“Oh, my dear.” Carenza reached out to touch Maude’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not.” Maude looked at her. “You were right about what you said. He does make me anxious and miserable. We had a terrible argument where he accused me of being undutiful. I suggested that his neglect of his family, and his pompous assurance that we were less important than his glittering career, meant that he was the one not doing his part. He was furious and suggested I’d never been an adequate wife and that I’d stalled his prospects by my unwillingness to constantly uproot the boys and follow him around Europe.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say,” Allegra exclaimed.
Maude bit her lip. “After that, there was very little left to say to each other. He informed me over breakfast this morning that he’d applied for the post in Brussels and that was that.” She looked at Allegra and then back at Carenza. “In a strange way, I’m almost relieved. I’m sure once he’s settled in Brussels, we’ll be able to have a more civil conversation about how to go on leading separate lives.”
“It’s still a shame,” Carenza said. “No one wishes their marriage to experience such disharmony.”
“Carenza does speak from experience, Maude,” Allegra said helpfully. “Hector led her a merry dance.”
“I am well aware of how badly my brother treated your sister, Allegra. I had many a word with him but with no obvious effect.” Maude rose to her feet. “I must be going. Gerald had an interview at the Foreign Office this morning. They might even have offered him the job on the spot. I must prepare myself for such news.”
“Please come to us if you need anything. We are quite discreet.” Carenza walked Maude down the stairs to her waiting carriage. “And if you need to bring the boys, you are all welcome here.”
“Thank you.” Maude’s eyes were shining with unshed tears. “That means a lot to me.”
“We are still sisters-in-law and your boys are my nephews,” Carenza reminded her. “Hector’s death doesn’t change that.”
She went back upstairs in a somewhat pensive mood to find Allegra awaiting her.
“Poor old Maude,” Allegra said. “It does make me wonder whether being a spinster is a better alternative to being married to a complete fool.”
Carenza went over to her writing desk and sat down. “I must admit that I never liked Gerald. He always struck me as something of a sycophant, always fawning over those he thought could smooth his path to greatness. Hector didn’t like him, either. It was one of the very few things we agreed on.”
