Leonora laughed. “Are you saying your husband is a wolf?”
“Wolves are majestic, loyal, and charming beasts,” she countered with a smile. And devoted to their family. And Harriet was now part of his.
“Well, Iamsurprised your wolf hasn’t picked up on your scent and made his presence known.” Leonora shot a suspicious glace around the shop as if to make sure he hadn’t suddenly materialized nearby.
Harriet laughed. “I quite enjoy his unexpected visits. But he has business today, so there will be none today.”
“So, we can relax and speak freely,” Selena said with a wink.
Harriet nodded.
“And Leeds knowing that you know all about the book and the wagers hasn’t affected your home life?” Selena asked.
“Not really.”
“They made quite a splash in ballrooms, though.” Leonora said. “Wives are revolting against their husbands. Daughters are kicking up fusses. It’s quite entertaining to watch. I heard there is even a women’s club that formed and has started their own betting book.”
“What?” Selena exclaimed. “Where can I sign up for that club?”
“I’m surprised you haven’t received an invitation,” Leonora said, “since you are part of the reason for all the chaos.”
Harriet chuckled. “Well, I, for one, don’t think I’d have time for such a thing.” Her husband occupied most of her days. And nights.
Selena snorted. “Must be the early bliss of married life.”
“The wagers never bothered you at all, Harriet?” Leonora asked.
“I’d like to know about that, too,” Selena muttered. “They’ve been hell for me.”
Harriet thought for a moment. “Well for one thing, I never really had the chance to give them much thought to begin with. I had other more pressing things happening in my life.”
“Like getting married—becauseof those wagers.”
“Then I suppose I ought to be thankful. If not for that list, who knows how long it would have taken my husband to approach me. He can be shy at times.” Though shy might not be the right word. But they might have missed their chance altogether.
Her friends looked at her as though she sprouted horns, and Harriet laughed. “I said at times.”
Selena tapped her chin. “So, you are saying I should get married if I want to escape the miseries of these wagers?”
“I saidnosuch thing!”
“It would be the most effective way,” Leonora pointed out. “Harriet is a prime example of how ineffective they are once you marry.”
“Please leave me out of this,” Harriet said. “I’m different from the rest of you in this regard. My part in the whole affair was done almost before it began.”
“Did you ever peek to see if Leeds made a wager?” Leonora asked.
“I never saw his name on the pages I glanced over at Lady Ophelia’s, and he told me he didn’t,” Harriet murmured. “Nothing more is necessary.”
“You are right, youaredifferent from the rest of us,” Selena said. “Still, you have the betting book in your possession. How can you not be simply poring over the wagers?”
Harriet shrugged.
Two days ago, she’d visited Lady Phaedra Sharp, one of the distributors of pages at the Stewart ball, who had stealthily sneaked the book to her in the form of a gift. Her husband had arrived on the scene soon after, so she could hardly refuse the offered gift without raising suspicions. However, the book had been burning a hole in her traveling case stuffed under the bed ever since she’d accepted it. She didn’t know what to do with the thing.
And, as she was not scheming any mischief with it, she hadn’t told Leeds. She would keep the book, and the secret, just for a little while.
“What exactly is happening with you that’s made your life hellish?” Harriet asked. She pointed at the watch with the wolf and told the clerk, “I’ll take that one.”
