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“Have you any prospects here already?” Queen Victoria asked. She waved a hand and servants began moving, bringing tea and setting plates in front of them at the tables. The flurry of activity was somewhat distracting, but Orris maintained her focus on the queen, as did the rest of her family.
“No, ma’am,” said Gladys. “I should not presume to know your mind and whether I would be permitted to enter the marriage mart, Majesty.”
The queen looked to Samuel, her eyebrows raised and lips pressed tighter after the statement.
A tremor of pure terror ripped through Orris. What had Gladys said to warrant such a response?
The moment passed in a heartbeat, however, because Queen Victoria let out a laugh. “You should not presume. That is the exact right answer, dear.” She chuckled once more, turning to Samuel. “She is smart, as are all the women in this family, I suspect.”
“Yes, ma’am. Their intelligence far exceeds my own, and I am more amazing each day,” Samuel said, letting out a chuckle of his own.
“Oh, Viscount Fredericks, if only all of Parliament realized the true genius of our great country lies within the fairer sex. Of course you may enter the marriage mart, Miss Gray, before I lose track of our purpose here this afternoon. Please. Let us have some tea before it grows cold.”
They took their seats and started to drink and partake of the wide array of sandwiches and desserts. Just as Orris had taken a sip of tea, Queen Victoria pinned Samuel with another of her looks.
“Have you decided on introductions for Miss Gladys Gray, Viscount and Viscountess? Is that not the intent of the season, so members of society solicit appropriate matches? Of course, there is the business of laws and Parliament, but that is not the least fun of all.”
“No, ma’am, we thought to solicit your approval prior to making any arrangements,” Samuel said.
“I shall expect to see her name in the society papers soon, then,” she said. After another chuckle, she added, “I should think you each have practiced your mannerisms to remain in my favor. Well done. Well done to you all.”
Mama could hardly stand the compliment, for her smile was as bright as diamonds. It was good to see her in such wonderful spirits. She deserved the welcome she had received. Her dream of being accepted in society had been fully realized.
While Orris had not seen the benefit of being part of society, if it made her family happy, then it had been worthwhile.
The rest of the day was delightful, much to Orris’s relief. She had not known what to expect of a queen, having never spent any substantial time with her, other than catching glimpses of her in her carriage, as she was known to be fond of riding through London, and her short time in Her Majesty’s presence during the debutante ceremony.
By the time they were home, Orris thought she might pass out. Everyone was in a jovial mood, and Mama could not stop talking about the opulence of Buckingham Palace. Orris thought Mama might have been as nervous as everyone else, though she would never admit it.
Just as Orris had made it to the stairs, she heard Samuel call her name. Turning around, she found him practically running to meet her.
“Might I have a word, Orris? It is quite important,” he said. His normally jovial eyes were near slits, and his hands were on his hips, a clear indication that something was amiss.
“Yes, but can it wait until I have—”
“It cannot. Please meet me in the study. I just have to collect Violetta and Myrtle. Gladys as well,” he said before walking off.
There were two things for certain. There was no good news, and he did not want their mama to overhear.
Whatever it was, there was foul play afoot.
*
Orris’s mind was spinning for the second time that day. There was no rational explanation for Abram’s brother to kill someone rather than take accountability for his own actions.
After hearing the whole story, with all of the assumptions made based on Abram’s piecemeal tactics, Orris understood his mental state a bit better, and the reason for the hurled accusation of her being uncaring. She could not forgive him yet, as he’d been utterly out of line, but she at least understood the duress he must have been experiencing.
A wave of nausea flooded Orris. She glanced to her sister, then back to Samuel. It took her a moment to find the words, her stability, in the moment. “What of his father? Has he heard back from him?” Orris paced the floor waiting for Samuel’s reply. As the shock wore off, it was replaced with anger.
“I do not believe so, no. In fact, he mentioned the possibility of Dahl intercepting some of their correspondence before it reached the duke.”
“No… I do not believe so,” she said, thinking it over. “Given the timing of the mailed letter, Lord Hartinton would have had to already have been here. It must have been Rowan’s letter he spoke of, being intercepted days or even weeks ago.”
Violetta stiffened, her hands clasping together. “But… But why? Why come to a ball if he had done anything as heinous at that?”
“If posing as someone else, he may have needed cover for him being in town. Should his father ask, should anyone become the wiser and things of the sort,” Samuel replied. “Add to that a betrothal he needs to protect…” He glanced over to Violetta quickly, then away, likely regretful for sharing more than intended.
Orris wondered, of all the things she knew of Abram, he had never seemed one to cower. He had always answered her questions, always been upfront with her. There only remained one concern, at least for her. The rest she would deal with later, including his omissions at convenient times. “Where is he?” She asked the question directly to Samuel. She also knew her brother-in-law. He remained one step ahead if he could at all help it.
