Chapter Fifteen #2
While Alice finished unpacking all her clothes, Ashlyn finally hid her diary.
After Alice’s hints about Miss Ashbourne and her brother, she decided it was best to keep her diary safe inside a special false panel on the inside right of her trunk, instead of beneath her mattress.
The panel opened and closed silently and couldn’t be identified unless you knew it was there.
When Ashlyn saw the trunk while shopping for travel luggage with her mother, she knew it would be just right for her trip—and it gave her the perfect hiding spot for her treasured diary.
She slid it into the hidden panel and locked the trunk.
Alice had already unpacked the trunk and set it in the far corner of the chamber.
Taking the key, Ashlyn tucked it in her reticule and placed the bag on the vanity.
“Alice, before you leave, I have a favor to ask.”
“Yes, miss?”
“If you ever discover my diary lying under my mattress, or next to my bed out of habit, please make sure it’s locked up in the secret panel in my trunk. You have a key, right?”
“Yes, miss. Don’t worry. I will. And I think that’s a smart thing to do while we are here,” the maid said.
Alice helped her with freshening up and then putting on her pink muslin dress.
“Miss, it’s almost time for your luncheon. You brought a hat for the dress. Since it’s outside, would you like to wear it?” Alice asked.
Elizabeth loved to pick out hats to go with her day dresses.
“Maybe I should wear it, since the fabric on the hat matches the dress.” Ashlyn truly appreciated that Elizabeth had acquired a few more dresses—having those extra outfits had made life at Ravenswood a lot easier, and gave Alice some extra time to press her other clothes.
“I saw a lovely hairstyle in one of the Parisian magazines while we were in London, and thought it might look very pretty on you, Miss Vickers,” Alice said.
“It’s a half-do, like you’re fond of wearing, and will look perfect with the matching beret confection that your cousin ordered for the pink dress. What’d ya think?”
Ashlyn smiled. “You haven’t led me astray in all these years. I think yes, for the hairstyle.”
“Miss, I’ve never seen you look so lovely,” Alice said once she was done. “And that’s not just because I’ve outdone myself with your hair.”
Ashlyn laughed. “You don’t need to say that.”
“Well, you do,” Alice insisted with a smile. Glancing at the clock on the mantel, she said, “You need to be on your way for the luncheon.”
It turned out that Alice had been right to be suspicious of Lady Ashbourne.
When Ashlyn walked onto the terrace, most of the female guests were already seated.
She spotted the strawberry blonde seated next to Gabriel, clinging to his arm as she giggled at something.
Yet Gabriel’s eyes shifted to Ashlyn. After a few seconds, the blonde noticed his attention had drifted and followed his gaze.
When she spotted Ashlyn, an expression of anger flashed across her face, only to be quickly masked by a forced smile.
Gabriel stood and walked over to greet Ashlyn.
“It’s good to see you. Did you find your room comfortable?” he asked.
“I did. Not nearly as beautiful as the blue room in your manor house, but very comfortable,” she whispered for his ears alone.
He smiled. “Mother will be happy to hear that.” He turned and glanced toward the table. “I think you are seated next to Lord Pervis Ashbourne, the son of the lady who owns the manor,” he said with a frown on his face. “Would you like to be seated?”
Briefly, Ashlyn wondered why he sounded so angry.
Before she could answer him, a woman walked up to them, dressed entirely in black.
“You must be Miss Elizabeth Vickers. I have been anxious to make your acquaintance. I knew your mother many years ago, when she was still Lady Beatrice Sumners, before she married your father. My friendship with your mother, Lady Beatrice Vickers—which is how she will be addressed in England—goes back years.”
Ashlyn nodded. “I’m glad to meet you, Mrs. Dove-Lyon,” she said. “Mother has told me wonderful things about her friendship with you, including spending time with you during her debut.” She was thankful that Elizabeth had shared these details with her before she departed.
“I hope you will have time to share a cup of tea with me. I would enjoy becoming acquainted with the daughter of one of my dear friends from my youth.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Dove-Lyon. I look forward to spending time with you.”
The woman smiled, but all Ashlyn could see was red lipstick and white teeth behind the black lace veil that covered her face. Mrs. Dove-Lyon was mysterious indeed and was never seen in public without her lace veil.
“Luncheon is about to be served, so I won’t take up too much of your time. Perhaps we can find time later during the party to chat.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon nodded to Gabriel. “Lord Ravensthorpe can see you to your seat, and I will speak to you soon.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”
Gabriel took her elbow, sending a wild rush of heat up her arm. “I hope we can see more of each other this afternoon, Miss Vickers,” he said. “There is a card game this evening, following dinner. May I claim you as my partner?”
“I enjoy cards. Yes, of course,” she said, before suddenly recalling her pledge to distance herself. But what would it hurt to play cards with him?
After taking her seat, she watched him take his next to Miss Ashbourne, who immediately put her hand on his arm, sending a stab of jealousy straight to Ashlyn’s heart.