And then what happens? To us? To her?
“It’s a neat piece,” muttered Hamhearst nearby. “No names are called out but I’m sure someone knows exactly what is being discussed. The clues are there.”
“Are people really dying?” Asked one gentleman Dominic didn’t recognize. He wasn’t a lord, but he was familiar. Possibly part of the House of Commons. “Not many folks were noted of dying late last year. Although there was that one… Who was it?”
He stiffened.
“Ashbourne, was it? Sudden loss. But people do die, you know.”
It took a while for Dominic to breathe. He realized then what Verity was up to. By now, he had no doubts about her being the mastermind behind this journal. His proof was limited but he’d taken note of her actions, her writing style, and repeated late night carriage rides.
Except this is different. She’s bringing up her uncle now as though she wants everyone to be talking about it. If they talk about him, they’ll talk about her family. They’ll make guesses and they’ll all be fodder for trouble. What was she thinking?
“Whoever writes this journal must be stopped,” groused a friend of Hamhearst’s. “I thought this was supposed to be about scandals. I don’t like it. This was clumsily done.”
“No, it was very intentional,” Dominic murmured.
Fortunately, there was no one to hear him.
The book was forgotten. He took a seat in the corner of the room and listened, shoulders tense, trying to make sure he understood what everyone was saying. What they were thinking.
It wasn’t long before there was a consensus: everyone was concerned. Doubtful. Suspicious.
And Verity had done this.
“What does this writer know?” Hamhearst questioned aloud with several other gentlemen. “They must be a part of it. Whatever it is.”
“We have to find them.”
“No, we must demand answers. Who is doing this? Is there a murderer? Who will die next?”
Verity was leading them in a very risky direction, Dominic realized, and he didn’t like it. He closed his eyes while listening. Gripping the arms of his chair, he listened to the questions rising about him that grew hotter and hotter.
She had her questions and she was inviting everyone to ask the same ones, and with no one answering… What would happen?
What have you done, Verity? And what do you think will happen?
He didn’t know what she was up to, only that she had put a target on her back. Dominic left the club as he tried to sort out a way out for Verity. A safe way out.
CHAPTER 24
Verity twisted her gloves in her lap while she smiled.
Before her, Octavia danced around in her brand-new dress that she’d been waiting on for some time. It had taken three fittings and new ribbons to get it just the way her sister desired it to be.
“See how the sunlight reflects on the beading?” Her younger sister beamed. “I can look like the sun in the day and the stars in the night!”
“Not the moon?” Verity asked lightly.
Elowen sent her a glance to show she agreed, but said nothing. She was practicing her tea service skills once more since she had accidentally spilled during a visit yesterday.
Which I should have been there for. I shouldn’t have been so distracted. I still have so many responsibilities that I cannot allow myself to ignore.
“The entire sky!” Octavia beamed. She stopped twirling and clasped her hands together to create a pretty picture. Worth a painting. Until, that is, she fell off balance with her bent ankles and fell into the nearest chair. “Ouch!”
“Do be careful,” Elowen attempted to say helpfully.
Their sister waved a hand as she righted herself, pretending nothing had happened. “Anyways, I am not so certain I should wear this tonight.”
