“Yes, and if memory serves, at least the last few pages seemed identical to Mr. Drayton’s copy. It may have simply been another prank to annoy you. But we’ll do a more thorough comparison the next time he visits.”
“Speaking of pranks, you said your shooting adventure went well, but did you mean it?”
“It was fine. Mr. Sanford was knowledgeable of the grounds and the hunting. It appears it really was just a ruse to keep all of us away. I don’t like it. Why is this daughter so fragile? Did she seem morose?”
“No, simply shy, and embarrassed that her little boy was misbehaving. The next time she visits, I’ll make more of an effort to converse with her.”
“If they let you,” he mused darkly.
But she didn’t want to consider that. “I’m going to discuss in detail with Mr. Drayton the idea of having a feast for my tenants. Can you think of some suggestions?”
She could tell he didn’t like being distracted from his concerns, but soon he was just as involved in the idea as she was.
But her own concerns continued to simmer.
The next day,Audrey received an invitation for tea at Mrs. Edgeworth’s. On the following day, she and Blythe went at the appropriate hour. Blythe had been quite insistent that Audrey didn’t need Molly or Lord Knightsbridge, and Audrey told herself she was like any normal woman, attending an event with her sister.
It was actually a good feeling, and so rare. She didn’t know what was going on with Blythe’s conscience, or how long her sister intended to visit, but Audrey wasn’t questioning it.
Robert had had to go to London on business, so it had been a quiet few days without him. Blythe still seemed to think Audrey’s days could be spent in ladylike relaxation and pastimes, and Audrey was feeling a bit frustrated with her. Didn’t her sister realize that someday she’d have her own household?
Mrs. Edgeworth lived in a little stone house within the village boundaries. Audrey already knew from Mrs. Sanford that the woman was a widow who considered herself one of the village matriarchs. She was stern but fair, and tireless in her volunteer work. She sounded like the perfect person for Audrey to get to know. There were four other ladies in attendance: Mrs. Warton, the vicar’s middle-aged wife; her daughter, Miss Warton, newly engaged, whose voice rang with happiness that still sounded surprised about her good fortune; Lady Flitcroft, the wife of a local baronet, who was so quiet Audrey often forgot she was in the room; and Miss Yardley, a young friend of Miss Warton’s,who was mostly focused on her coming-out next Season in London.
Audrey had sensed their curiosity as she and Blythe entered the parlor, but they’d seemed eager to know her. Her status as the blind future countess must be very intriguing. She hoped to win them over as herself, so that when she broke off the engagement, they’d be sympathetic friends.
When Mrs. Warton went off to see why the sandwiches she’d ordered hadn’t arrived, and Blythe was speaking to Miss Warton on her other side, Audrey spoke to Miss Yardley, seated to her left.
“I’m sorry that Mrs. Warton is embarrassed by her servants,” Audrey said, shaking her head. “We can be so dependent on them. At least I am, although I imagine that is obvious.”
Miss Yardley lowered her voice and seemed to lean nearer. “If you don’t mind a little gossip, I am very curious about your servants.”
“Why is that?” Audrey asked politely.
“I heard that Louisa Sanford is trying to say she went away to be married.”
“I’ve been told her name is Louisa Roebuck,” Audrey said cautiously.
“My mother’s housekeeper claims that is all fiction to try to protect her reputation. She was never married!” Miss Yardley’s voice was breathless with the intrigue.
The tea seemed to settle uneasily in Audrey’s stomach. “You are claiming the child is illegitimate?”
“My housekeeper insists it is so! She says Louisa was always fast and sadly reaped what she sowed. She should have left Hedgerley permanently, but apparently Mrs. Sanford didn’t wish to force her, so she returned with this fiction of a dead husband.”
“That is very sad,” Audrey murmured. “I hope it is not true.”
Miss Yardley, probably sensing that Audrey wasn’t going to add any gossip, turned to the lady on her other side, leaving Audrey to think troubled thoughts.
Was this the secret that the Sanfords had been hiding, their daughter’s shame? By driving Audrey away, did they think they could move Louisa back to Rose Cottage with them?
After light sandwiches, iced cakes, and more discussion of the Female Aid Society’s next fund-raising dance in the local assembly room, Audrey and Blythe rode home in the curricle. Blythe had been delighted to drive, and Audrey found herself teasing that someday Blythe would have to letherdrive on a flat, open road.
They spoke briefly about the various guests, and Blythe seemed more cautious than Audrey about Audrey’s acceptance.
“I know they probably stared at me,” Audrey said. “I don’t mind, since their behavior put me at ease. Though you had difficulty accepting my blindness, others might be able to see past it.”
And then Blythe burst into tears, and Audrey wondered if she was going to have to take over the reins anyway.
“I’m sorry,” Audrey said. “Do dry your eyes, Blythe. We’re putting the past behind us, remember? I should not have brought it up.”
