Epilogue
Alas, Lord Ingram’s gathering lasted only three days. All too soon Livia found herself back home, where no one paid her any attention except to point out her numerous shortcomings.
Chief among which, according to her mother, was her inability to attract a husband.
But an “opportunity” was at hand. The Holmeses were hosting Sir Henry’s new business associate for dinner. Lady Holmes lectured Livia on and on about the importance of making a good impression.
“He and his family have been abroad a long time so they don’t know about . . . our scandal. If you have an ounce of sense, Olivia, you will try to get yourself noticed by this gentleman. Goodness knows I’m tired of taking you to London Season after Season.”
Whenever her father tried a new venture, the family grew poorer. Sir Henry possessed no judgment at all—it would be a miracle if this new associate wasn’t a swindler. Abroad, her arse. That he didn’t know about Charlotte’s scandal only meant that they wouldn’t know anything about him either.
And she was supposed to smile at and flatter him?
Lady Holmes made Livia don her most fashionable dinner gown and spent an hour fussing over Livia’s hair, unhappy with every style Livia tried.
By the time Livia sat down in the drawing room to wait for this man’s arrival, she was convinced she was at the beginning of one of the most execrable evenings of her life.
And then the drawing room door opened and in walked Stephen Marbleton.
Don’t miss the next Lady Sherlock adventure. Read on for an excerpt.