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Oh please, say that it’s anyone but David.

“The Duke of Greymore ran off with one of Lord Chester’s daughters. Haven’t you heard? Everyone is talking about it,” Nora confided.

Frances tsked. “Since when have you become our group gossip, Nora?”

Nora leaned back and rubbed her growing belly. “Since it’s getting harder to move, I find myself sitting at events. Turns out, if you sit still long enough, people forget you’re there and say the most scandalous things without realizing you can hear them. I’ve learned many things over this past month,” she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Frances shook her head. “You used to be the moral center of our little group. What is Sarah supposed to do now? You took her role.”

Nora laughed. “Who do you think I heard all of this from? If she was able to join us today, she would have told you herself. Think of me as her second-in-command.”

The two women laughed, while Jenny was still reeling from the feelings that washed over when she thought David was the duke they were talking about. The thought of David eloping with someone else made her stomach churn. She put the biscuit she was about to eat back on her plate.

Frances played with the napkin on her lap and looked out the window. “I still can’t believe they tried to elope only to be caught just outside of town.”

Nora guffawed. “Ha! I knew you were interested in this story, “ she said triumphantly.

Frances snorted, not a bit embarrassed to show her curiosity. “Of course, I am. Like you said, everyone is talking about it. I was surprised to hear that Lord Chester disapproved of their marriage plans. It was widely known he was looking to offload his daughter onto someone. I think the Duke of Greymore is an excellent match for her.”

Nora nodded. “I agree. I heard that when he caught up to the happy couple, there was such a scuffle between the two men that the poor bride-to-be fainted. Thankfully, all parties involved were safe and there were no mishaps, unlike other unlucky couples trying to elope to Gretna Green.” Her eyebrows rose and fell above her eyes comically, hinting at a juicier story.

Frances rolled her eyes. “You really are turning into Sarah. Aren’t you usually the one scolding her for bringing up gossip about eloping couples.”

Nora studied her. “Usually, but you yourself admitted that these stories are fascinating. For instance, I finally found out what happened to the Duke of Marlow’s sister.”

Jenny sat up straight. Her eyes went wide. She didn’t want to miss a word of what Nora was about to say, so she held her breath, afraid that even her own breathing would hinder her hearing.

Frances sighed. “Can’t we leave that poor family alone and let her rest in peace.”

“What happened?” Jenny’s voice was barely above a whisper, but it was quickly drowned out by Nora’s exclamation.

“Aha!” Nora pointed at Frances. “So youdoknow what happened. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Jenny remembered that David’s sister eloped with a man and somehow the poor girl was killed. What else could have happened that would cause more gossip than that?

Frances played with the napkin on her lap. “Because it is none of our business and it isn’t a proper topic.”

“Oh, come now, Frannie. You and I both know, and it happened in the past. What is done is done.” Nora shrugged. “I don’t see the harm in discussing it.”

“What is done? What happened to the poor girl?” Jenny blurted out.

Nora nodded towards her. “Jenny doesn’t know. It would be rude of us not to include our friend in our conversation.”

Frances gave her friend a knowing look but motioned for her to continue.

Nora leaned towards Jenny. “Do you remember how Sarah told you the Duke’s sister wanted to elope and how the Duke was unhappy when he found out?”

Jenny nodded impatiently. “Yes, yes, I remember all that.”

Her heart still broke every time she thought of David losing his younger sister.

“Well, it turns out that the Duke was so unhappy with the situation that he actually chased them down with two of his men.”

Jenny’s heart stopped. She could see the young Duke fearful for his sister, hurt by her disobedience, chasing after her.

“When he got there, there was a fight between the Duke and the brigand. The Duke had a ransom note the man left when he convinced the Duke’s sister to leave with him. The poor girl actually thought the man loved her. I can only imagine the heartbreak she felt when she learned the truth.”

Jenny chewed on her bottom lip. She didn’t want to hear anymore. Each new detail gutted her. Yet, at the same time, it shone some light on the mystery that was the Duke of Marlow.