Page 45

One week later

I am just so disheartened by the fact that Vera—our Vera—turned out to be such a cold-blooded creature,” Meg said from where she sat beside Lucy in the drawing room of the Gilford townhouse. “I know we’ve discussed it so many times at this point, but I shall never understand how thoroughly she managed to fool me. To fool all of us.”

Elise, who was seated in a chair across from them, shook her head. “No more so than I am, my dear. When I think of how many confidences we exchanged with that, that utter villainess, I am positively livid.”

Though Lucy and Will had assured Meg that she would always have a home in Gilford House, the younger lady had insisted upon giving the newlyweds some time to themselves in the house. Especially since the dowager had decided to make her move to her sister’s home permanent. Not wishing to reside with her mother and aunt—who was not much better than the dowager when it came to disposition—Meg had accepted Elise’s invitation to reside with her for the time being.

The friends had come to tea at Gilford House at Lucy’s invitation, as much to discuss their lingering unhappiness over the fact that they’d all been betrayed by Vera Blackwood as to discuss the book that the Ems were meant to spotlight at their next meeting.

“She almost let that brute Hamilton kill you, Lucy,” Meg said, gripping her by the arm. “I don’t know how I should have managed if that had happened.”

Though Lucy had not told either of her friends this, she’d been troubled with nightmares since the afternoon she had witnessed Hamilton’s murder at Vera’s hands. She was only too grateful that Will was there to offer comfort and reassurance to her when the terror visited her in her sleep.

“I have considered going to visit her in Newgate,” Elise said with the air of one announcing a perfidy of some kind, “simply to let her know what I think of the way she betrayed us all.”

“Did you think that we would shame you for it?” Lucy asked her with astonishment. “I certainly would not. Indeed, I think Vera is deserving of any and all shaming we can bring to bear upon her. Though I fear you have missed your opportunity.”

Meg paused in the act of reaching for another ginger biscuit from the overloaded tea tray on the table around which they sat. “What do you mean?”

“I had a note from Cousin Andrew this morning,” Lucy said, reaching for the teapot to pour herself another cup. “The government has reached an agreement with the Americans, and they have agreed to send her back to face trial in Philadelphia.”

Elise’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. “But her crimes were committed here. She deserves to face justice here.”

“With the exception of her killing of Christopher Hamilton,” Lucy said with a shrug, “none of the murders can be unequivocally linked to her. Hamilton murdered Sir Charles. And though Miss Fleetwood said there was a woman with Hamilton when he assaulted her, she could not identify Vera as that woman. Plus, there is the matter of the woman who posed as Hamilton’s wife on his voyage to England.”

“Yes!” Meg said at the reminder. “What became of that woman? If she wasn’t Hamilton’s wife, then who was she?”

“Vera told my cousin that she was the maid who had acted as courier between herself and Hamilton before she and her father came to London,” Lucy said before taking a sip of tea. “Hamilton brought her with him on the journey here because he thought she might be useful to him once he arrived. He might not be able to show his face to her father, but he thought perhaps Mr. Blackwood would be more forgiving of the maid he’d sent off with a flea in her ear.”

“From the way Mr. Blackwood spoke of her, I doubt he would have been so welcoming,” Meg said with a snort.

“I fear Hamilton was outmatched by Vera when it came to cunning,” Lucy said wryly. “Which is hardly a shock given how thoroughly she cozened us.”

“But what became of the maid?” Elise asked, frowning. “Will she return to America with Vera and her father?”

“She has not been found,” Lucy said grimly. “My cousin suspects from some hints that Vera gave that she believed the woman had seduced Mr. Hamilton.”

“Oh dear,” Meg said with a shudder. “I certainly hope Vera didn’t do away with her, but given what we now know—”

“Precisely,” Lucy agreed, in the silence following Meg’s unfinished statement. “As much as we, none of us, wish to believe Vera capable of such things, I’m afraid I have firsthand knowledge of her ruthlessness.”

The three friends sat for a moment with the unhappy awareness of just how easily they’d been hoodwinked by the American.

“In happier news,” Lucy said with intentional brightness because the news was, indeed, good. “I also had word from my cousin that Silas King, the procurer who murdered Mary Crosby, has been found and is now sitting in Newgate awaiting his punishment. Thank heavens—”

The sound of footfalls on the stairs alerted them that their party was in danger of being interrupted. But instead of the butler, it was Will, followed by both Benjamin Woodward and Lord Cheswick, who entered the chamber.

“Ah, there you all are,” Will said, though he had eyes for no one but Lucy. And feeling the flutter in her tummy that had by now become familiar, she rose to welcome him, as well as his guests, into the room.

“We didn’t know you were entertaining Lady Gilford,” said Mr. Woodward once he’d made his bows to the other two ladies. “As I was telling Gilford, I really can’t stay. There’s a pressing appointment that I cannot miss. Good afternoon, all.”

And before Lucy could offer any protest the American had retraced his steps to the door and could be heard hurrying back down the stairs as if there was a vicious hound snarling at his heels.

“Goodness,” Lucy said as she resumed her seat, and Will took Meg’s vacated place beside her. “I hope it isn’t serious.”

Meg, who had dropped into an empty chair beside Elise’s, made a snort of derision. “Somehow I doubt it.”

Before Lucy could comment, Elise, who had not relaxed since Lord Cheswick entered the room, rose from her chair. “I fear that I too must go, Lucy. Thank you so much for the tea and conversation.” To Meg she said, “You may stay and chat with your brother. I’ll leave the carriage for you.”

But Meg rose and said her goodbyes to both Lucy and her brother before following Elise from the room.

“I suppose that is my own signal to depart,” Cheswick said with a bow to Lucy. “I have no wish to play gooseberry to a pair of newlyweds, thank you very much.”

And just like that, Lord and Lady Gilford’s once-crowded drawing room was empty of all save themselves.

“My goodness,” Lucy said with a raised brow. “If I didn’t know better, I’d guess that we are unpleasant company. But I know that is not the case because we are delightful company.”

This last she said while looping her arms about her husband’s neck.

To her surprise, he used the pose to lift her onto his lap. “We are delightful company, Lady Gilford. I suspect it is just that they fled because we are still newly wed. And if it is not too terribly bold of me, I suggest we behave as such.”

“Lord Gilford,” Lucy gasped in mock outrage, “you are a very bad man.”

“My dear lady,” he said as he rose with her in his arms and headed for their bedchamber, “is that not why you married me?”