She cleared her throat. “There must be a misunderstanding.”
“Obviously. I simply wonder how the misunderstanding started. This is serious, Edith. You can’t lie to an earl who is also a family friend.”
“Mother, I…” The lie she was about to tell, that she knew nothing about the misunderstanding, died a merciless death on her tongue.
Somehow, her mouth refused to tell yet another lie. It was a first. Perhaps she’d reached her lifetime’s share of lies, and from now on, she wouldn’t be able to tell a single lie, not even ‘I love your parasol; it matches your eyes.’
“Well?” Mother prompted.
She was spared from giving an answer as the maid entered once again.
“Sorry, madam, miss. Miss Daphne Ferguson is here to see Miss Winkworth urgently,” the maid said.
Thank goodness. Edith rose. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Our conversation isn’t over.”
She turned towards the maid. “Please put the flowers in a vase. Thank you.” She left the dining room in a hurry despite Daphne’s visit wasn’t exactly happy news.
Daphne was waiting for her in the sitting room, wearing a pristine lemon dress and showing a perfect complexion. She didn’t look like a woman who had spent the night drinking champagne, dancing in her undergarments, and doing all sorts of debaucheries. Frustration flamed Edith’s chest. Once again, Perry’s words about who a real friend was echoed in her ears.
“There you are.” Daphne hugged Edith, enveloping her in a cloud of expensive perfume. “I knew you were all right. What happened to you after the pool? You disappeared without a word. Tell me the truth. Did you find a nice gentleman to spend the night with?” She batted her eyelashes.
“Absolutely not.” Edith disentangled herself from Daphne’s embrace and shut the door. “I couldn’t find you, Neville, or Valentine, and my clothes disappeared.”
“I took them.” Daphne laughed. “Don’t look so shocked. It was a joke.”
“A joke? I was naked.”
“Heavens!” Daphne walked around the room, lifting vases and photograph frames as she went. “What happened to you? Honestly, you’ve become so boring. You’re ruining my morning with your tone. I had such a lovely night in the Scarlet Room, and you’re doing nothing but complain. How can you be so selfish?”
Edith didn’t know if Daphne had changed and become cruel all of a sudden, or if she’d always been like that, but Edith hadn’t noticed it until that moment.
“I wouldn’t complain if Valentine hadn’t tossed me in the pool, and you encouraged him.” She forced her voice down. The last thing she needed was for Mother to hear about the Scarlet Room. “You know how terrified I am of water, and you didn’t care.”
Daphne scrunched up her face at a porcelain figurine of a shepherdess. “See what I mean? You’re complaining again. The pool was shallow. I didn’t think it would be a problem for you. Really, you should do something about this infirmity of yours. It ruins everything, and quite honestly, it’s embarrassing. I’d be so ashamed of myself if I were you. I’d drown myself in the Thames.” She laughed. “Oh, right. You can’t get near it!”
“Daphne!”
“Shush. The dive in the pool was meant to be a joke, nothing more, and after all, you’re all right.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so mean.” Edith paced as the headache pounded harder.
Perry had been right. She could have died in a stupid, shallow pool just because the panic had frozen her. And while Daphne had never been cruel, she certainly was now.
Daphne huffed. “I’m not mean. I’m simply tired of your complaints. You weren’t so whiny before Neville’s nephew returned.”
“I’m not whiny. I’m tired.”
Daphne flashed a wicked smile. “Excuses. I know what will make you feel better. Let’s go.”
Oh, no. Not now. Her mouth soured at the thought of yet another party. “No, I don’t think I want to go anywhere. I need some time alone. I need to think.”
Edith put a hand on the knob, ready to ask Daphne to leave. Her life needed a change. The night at the Scarlet Room had taught her that. Or rather, Perry had. Although she wouldn’t know where to start to change aside from telling Perry the truth. If she didn’t do something, the sense of void devouring her would leave only fragments of her soul.
“Don’t be difficult. There’s something I need to tell you.” Daphne hooked her arm through Edith’s. “Or rather, Valentine needs to tell you something. A surprise.”
Maybe Edith was biased, but there was a mocking note in Daphne’s voice.
