Chapter 17
Chapter
Seventeen
Despite Philip recently reminding her of it, Audrey had completely forgotten about the military review in Hyde Park that they were to attend with Michael, Genie, and Cassie.
When the three of them arrived at Violet House, all turned out in fashionably warm clothes suitable for the military spectacle, Audrey had flushed with embarrassment.
To make matters worse, Philip had not forgotten.
He appeared in the entrance hall with his velvet-lined greatcoat, top hat, and yellow buckskin gloves, prepared to leave as they had all planned two weeks previously.
“You could have reminded me again,” she said to him churlishly after pulling him aside on her way to her bedchamber to quickly dress with Greer.
“I have been preoccupied,” he replied with a meaningful stare.
With Freddie Walker. Of course. And she had been preoccupied with Hugh.
Though, Philip didn’t know that. Then, it struck her: What did he imagine she had been up to since the murder of Miss Neatham?
Did he truly believe she was doing nothing to help Hugh?
With a start, she realized that he hadn’t inquired at all.
Because he is preoccupied.
Without another word, she’d gone to her room to find something appropriate to wear. Like a magician, Greer had already been in the boudoir, selecting an ensemble.
As she’d dressed, she thought of Hugh. Carrigan whispered that he’d gone to Wanstead, and she imagined that was where Miss Barlow’s sister lived. He’d be gone most of the day. But if a highway patrolman came upon him along the road toward Wanstead and South Woodford…she worried he’d be caught.
But he was resourceful. Audrey knew she had to trust in his ability to get himself out of any sticky situation.
She’d put her worries aside and finished dressing in the dark blue promenade gown embroidered with gold damask that Greer selected.
The skirt was lined to block the wind, and a matching blue pelisse with gold piping would help keep her warm.
They arrived at Hyde Park later than they’d wanted, missing the Horse Guard parade entirely and arriving in the middle of the mock skirmish; scores of fired blank cartridges had created drifting clouds of gunpowder smoke that stung their eyes.
Michael graciously pretended not to be put out, but as he and Philip left the ladies to view what was left of the skirmish, Audrey knew he was.
Having been in the army as an officer, Michael enjoyed these reviews.
Philip went out of duty to his brother, though he didn’t pretend at interest, and Michael knew better than to expect it.
Usually, Audrey and Genie enjoyed observing the younger ladies flirting with the men in uniform.
They’d anticipated Cassie being such a young lady, but as they walked along the banks of the Serpentine, gloved hands warmly tucked into ermine muffs, Philip’s sister barely said a word.
The previous evening at Genie’s ball, she’d seemed happier, especially after being the only young lady whom Mr. William Knowlton could manage to pay attention to. No longer, it seemed.
“I much prefer the summer reviews,” Genie said as the percussion of drums rolled through the park. The tip of her nose was red, and she looked like she would have happily crawled into her ermine muff if she would have fit.
“This smoke is wretched,” Audrey commented, and with an eye on the slate clouds coming in overhead, added, “And there is to be rain.”
A pavilion had been erected for the festivities, and as she looked toward it now, noticed a familiar face. “Perhaps we should move to the pavilion,” Audrey said, reaching over to pinch Cassie’s sleeve. “If I’m not mistaken, that is William.”
Genie’s brother diverted his attention from those he stood with and peered in their direction. It seemed he had spied them already before they had him. He smiled shyly, and Cassie went still in her tracks.
“Oh, no,” she murmured.
Audrey stepped in front of her, hoping to obscure her sudden expression of dread from William. “What is the matter? You were giddy over him last evening, were you not?”
“My brother did not offend you in any way, I hope?” Genie asked, joining Audrey in forming a shield around Cassie. William would see their backs, not the young woman’s quickly paling face.
“Not at all, no,” she replied, sounding breathless.
She raised her ermine muff so high she nearly concealed her face with it.
Had her hands been free she might have sealed her palms to her cheeks.
“Mr. Knowlton is a perfect gentleman. I don’t think I’ve met anyone so amiable before.
And he is the only man I’ve met who has read and enjoyed Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels!
I think he might have enjoyed The Mysteries of Udolpho more than I. ”
Audrey pinned her lower lip against a grin. This bubbly side of Cassie was one she missed a great deal. It was clear she took an interest in William.
“Then why does the thought of seeing him here make you look so miserable? I half think you’ll need smelling salts in a moment,” Genie replied.
Cassie turned on her heel and began to walk in the direction they’d come. “Because I am miserable. I think he is wonderful.”
Audrey and Genie hurried after her.
“Then what is the problem?” Audrey asked. “He is quite obviously taken with you.”
“He shouldn’t be,” she said, and the true reason for Cassie’s odd reaction became evident. She doubted herself.
“I am a fraud. He believes me an innocent debutante, and I am not,” she said, whispering so low Audrey barely heard the confession under all the military drumming. “Am I to lie to him?”
Genie parted her lips to reply, but then sealed them again. Apparently, she didn’t know how to reply any better than Audrey. Lying to William would be wrong; telling him the truth would cause even the kindest suitor to bid her farewell.
“I think you should enjoy William’s attention,” Genie said after some hesitation.
“It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that right now,” Audrey agreed. “He hasn’t declared himself.”
But she worried, the way William had gazed upon Cassie the evening before, and just now, from the pavilion, that an offer would be forthcoming.
“I suppose you are right,” Cassie said, though she didn’t sound certain. “I just don’t want to grow too fond of him if it is all for naught.”
Genie stopped her with a hand to her forearm. “He saw us just now. Let me go tell him you dropped your glove and turned to look for it. Come to the pavilion when you’re ready.”
Audrey marveled at her sister-in-law’s tact and grace. Of course, she wouldn’t want her brother to think Cassie was fleeing from him.
“Let’s find your glove,” Audrey said with a wry glance at Cassie. A hint of a grin broke over her lips as they ambled a little further along.
Now that they were alone, an opportunity arose for a conversation Audrey had been avoiding.
“I must apologize to you, Cassie. I feel responsible for your decision to leave Violet House for Michael and Genie’s.”
She drew short and peered at Audrey. “Responsible how?”
“Because I found yet another dead body,” she said with a wave of her hand, as if it should be obvious. “I am starting to believe I’m cursed.”
To this, Cassie surprised her and laughed. A full-throated chuckle that caused a passing couple to crane their necks and stare.
“You are not cursed,” she said. “I don’t believe in such stuff and nonsense. But I admit, I left rather poorly. I should be the one apologizing. I was being selfish.”
Audrey stopped her and with a raised finger, crouched, as if to grab a lost glove. Standing again, she shook her head. “Selfish how?”
They turned and started toward the pavilion again. “I feared more scrutiny. Finding a dead woman would certainly bring it to your door, and lately, I seem to live in fear. I don’t want anyone to find out the truth, Audrey. I don’t think I could bear the humiliation.”
There was nothing she could say to Philip’s sister to convince her that threat didn’t exist. Because it did. So instead, she peeled one hand from her muff and wrapped her arm around Cassie’s shoulder. They walked several steps in silence.
“Have you heard anything from Officer Marsden?” Cassie asked after a prolonged stretch. Audrey released her and stuck her cold hand back into the impossibly soft muff. It was little comfort.
“No.” She hated lying to Cassie, especially since she was opening up to Audrey for the first time in months.
“He is no murderer,” Cassie said. She had met Hugh the previous summer and had been fascinated by him.
“No, he is not.” Audrey then held her tongue. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Cassie…with anything else she might have confided in her. But not this. Not with Hugh’s very life on the line. It would only take one slip of the tongue, one gaff, and everything could come tumbling down.
They reached the pavilion and slipped under the pitched roof. With the threatening clouds, a few dozen or more people had gathered there. Past top hats and bonnets, through capes and pelisses, Audrey’s eyes spotted Lady Redding—otherwise known as Millie. Her older sister.
She stood among a pack of other ladies giving their attention to three red-coated military men.
Their uniforms were of crisp wool, bright crimson and spotless white, adorned with braids, tassels, shining gold buttons and ribbons denoting their rank, of which Audrey was entirely ignorant.
However, one of the soldiers was none other than Colonel Trenton, Eloisa’s brother.
His attention grazed over Audrey and upon recognizing her, dipped his head into an almost imperceptible bow while the others around him still conversed.