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Before she could be introduced to the other lady in the carriage, the rector of the local church, Mr. Doust, strolled up to them and said, “My ladies.” He bowed. “Lady Eunice, may I ask your opinions on a pressing matter?”

Eunice glanced over at him. When she answered, her tone was light and somehow joyful. “We would be delighted, Mr. Doust.” She turned to Lady Brownly. “I am very sorry, but I must excuse myself. Please, come for tea before you leave for London.”

“I’m afraid it will just be me.” Lady Brownly glanced fondly at her daughter. “Diana departs tomorrow. There is a veritable orgy of shopping in which she must partake before the Season begins.”

“Then we shall have a comfortable coze,” Mary responded as her aunt spoke with the rector. It was probably better that way. Thus far, she had been extremely fortunate that no one had questioned her living here, and that no one in the area actually knew Mr. Featherton.

The Brownlys’ coach moved on, and when Mary glanced at Eunice she saw that her aunt had a cat-in-the-cream expression on her face. Could she be interested in Mr. Doust? Admittedly, he was quite good looking, but for the life of her, Mary could not see her fun-loving aunt as a clergyman’s wife.

Still, it was very sweet and made her yearn to look at some gentleman that way and have him return her gaze.

Not even all the aggravation her cousin had caused her could make her cease to wish to be courted by a man she loved.

In fact, it made her more determined than ever to pick her own husband.

She would not allow Gawain to destroy her life.

Eunice and the rector disappeared into the church, and Mary ambled around the small garden.

When all this business with Gawain had begun, she would never have imagined that her kind, scholarly uncle would have insisted she wed his son.

Not only that, but he wouldn’t even speak to her brother about the matter.

All communication was done via letters and through solicitors.

Something about this whole thing did not make sense.

If only she could figure out what it was.

After an early dinner, Almeria, Lady Bellamny, sat in the drawing room of the Brownlys’ modest manor house.

Thank the Lord that rector had interrupted before introductions had to be made.

Mary would surely have recognized her name immediately and possibly panicked.

She was almost surprised the girl hadn’t recognized her voice, although she had tried to disguise it by lowering it a bit.

Still, she should have cried off the trip to the town. It had been a stupid risk.

Almeria took the cup her goddaughter Phillice handed her. “Tell me, my dear, who is Lady Mary? ”

“Why, she is Mr. Featherton’s wife to be sure. Perhaps I should not talk of it, but . . .”

Ah yes, where there was good gossip there was always a “but.” Almeria waited for Phillice to overcome her scruples.

“I believe there is some sort of estrangement. He has never been here, or at least not for many years and certainly not since her arrival. Thank goodness she has her aunt to keep her company. In any event, I do not remember meeting him, though I suppose Sir Howard might have. I must say, I do not think much of a man who would abandon his wife in such a manner, although Lady Mary is too well-bred to mention it. One would think she didn’t care, except that the few times Mr. Featherton’s name has been mentioned she quickly changes the subject, and once I thought I saw her flinch. ”

Almeria stirred three lumps of sugar into her tea. On orders of her doctor, a most superior man, she’d been on a reducing diet. Still, one must have sugar in one’s tea. “How does Lady Mary get on here?”

Phillice’s expression perked up. “Very well. Indeed, I do not know what we did before she arrived. We all love her. She has done so much for Rose Hill and the town. I do not know how she managed it, but she is paying for the roof of the church to be repaired and replaced. If her husband does appear, he’ll find it necessary to prove himself. ”

Almeria nodded. “Excellent. Perhaps I shall put a flea in Mr. Featherton’s ear. He really should not leave his wife alone.”

Her goddaughter frowned. “We would not wish to lose her, or cause her any trouble.”

Almeria raised her brows in an expression of surprise. “Of course not. I would never do anything to harm the poor lady.”

After she’d ascertained that Diana was packed and ready to leave early the next day, Almeria repaired to the writing desk in her chamber.

The seventeenth day of March, 1817, Brownly Manor, Northumberland

My dear Constance,

I am happy to be able to inform you that M is doing well and beloved by all in the area.

I depart in the morning but shall have this letter sent by messenger, so that it will arrive before I do.

Soon it will be time to put the rest of our little scheme in play.

It is a shame young people need so much help these days.

All has been quiet here. and M appears to be safe. Have you heard anything of the ogre?

Your dearest friend,

A. Bellamny

Bridgewater House, London

Constance Bridgewater and her dear friend Lucinda, Dowager Viscountess Featherton, were sipping tea in Constance’s parlor when a knock came at the door.

“Your Grace.” The footman bowed. “This came for you by messenger.”

Constance flashed a grin at her friend as she took the proffered message. “Thank you.”

Once the young man left, she broke the seal off the letter.

Lucinda moved to the edge of her chair. “Is it from Almeria?”

“Yes.” Constance read the letter out loud, then handed it to her friend. “I knew Mary would carry it off.”

“Yes indeed.” Lucinda glanced up. “This is excellent news. Have you heard anything about the ogre?”

“No.” Constance shook her head slowly. “I spent most of the autumn and winter leading Gawain Tolliver a merry chase. Eunice’s children have reported seeing a strange man around who answers Gawain’s description.”

“How are they taking Eunice’s absence?”

“Most of them think she is with me. Even if they don’t, they may be dull, but they are not at all stupid.

They know Mary has been persecuted by that cousin of hers and something is afoot.

Eunice has had her correspondence sent to her solicitor, who forwarded them on.

” Constance sat back in the chair. “Have you told your son yet?”

“In a roundabout way. Well,” Lucinda gave a sly smile, “truthfully, not everything. In fact, none of the details. I merely said I was looking for a good match for Kit. Although Featherton is in agreement that Kit must marry, and soon, he is fond enough of me to allow my folly, as he calls it.” Lucinda took a sip of tea and sighed.

“My poor daughter-in-law would not be at all happy if she knew we were arranging a match. She would be extremely angry if she knew the details. I believe she is better left in the dark for the time being.”

“I take it she still doesn’t know the part you played in her marriage?

” Constance chuckled. “I understand. I don’t think Barham has figured out that I arranged his nuptials.

Fortunately he didn’t ask why I needed a few of his larger footmen in addition to mine.

Ha! They all want to make their own love matches these days, but they will see.

We old women know what we are about. An arranged marriage with love is the best option of all. ”

Once again a knock sounded at the door. “Another letter for you, Your Grace.”

Constance took it. “From Eunice.” She perused the contents. “Mary plans to come to Town to husband hunt. Eunice will stall her as long as possible, but we need to send Kit up there sooner rather than later.”

“I agree.” Lucinda bit into a small cake. “I cannot wait until Kit and Mary realize they are just the thing for each other. I do think this is the best match we’ve planned so far.”

“Indeed, my dear. After all these years, finally our two houses will be connected by more than friendship.” Constance smiled to herself. “As soon as Almeria returns, we’ll spring the trap.”