Page 1 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

A recent observation has captivated my attention.

It is the reemergence of Lady Blythe, formerly Claxton, widow, and former wife of Lieutenant John Clay.

What I do know is that Lady Blythe fell in love and married Clay when she was only nine and ten and even though she was the eldest living daughter of the Duke of Arscott, she chose to follow the drum and remain by her husband’s side during the Peninsula War, despite the difficulties she must have endured and all because of devotion.

However, when she lost her husband at Waterloo and returned to England, Lady Blythe took up residence with her brother, Lord Seth Claxton, and was rarely seen outside of his home.

That is, until last year when I believe it was Lord Seth who convinced her to return to Society, or it was her matchmaking to see her brother wed that prompted her to step outside.

I am to understand that Lady Blythe did return to her father’s home for only a short time last autumn, the first visit since she left nearly seven years ago.

However, she was not gone long before she once again returned to London to live in the home of her brother even though Lord Seth had chosen to retire to the country permanently with his new bride, the former Miss Frances Hawthorn.

I had wondered if Lady Blythe would once again become a recluse or if she would make more of an effort to join Society.

The answer came when I observed her entering the Venetian Breakfast hosted by Lady Lavinia Teviot.

Though, this should not be a surprise since the two did appear to become close last autumn after Lord Seth wed.

Further, Lady Lavinia is formerly a Tilson and her brother also happens to be married to Lady Blythe’s cousin, therefore, they also share family.

I only began to reconsider the reasons for the Venetian Breakfast before the Season had even begun after I observed Lady Lavinia being escorted about by their family solicitor, Mr. Demetrius Valentine.

Odder still, many of the guests were of a relation to Mr. Valentine.

Besides the Valentines there were Tilsons and Claxtons aplenty with most of the gathering made up of the three families with the remaining guests being an eclectic group of individuals whose only connection was Athena’s Salon, which I very much enjoy attending.

I have digressed.

Yes, Lady Blythe’s attendance at the Venetian Breakfast should not be considered unusual other than I had wondered if she would shun Society once again.

What was intriguing however was her reaction when she was introduced to Dr. Orlando Valentine.

There was a wariness or surprise and it was certainly unexpected, which of course piqued my interest.

Dr. Valentine shares a medical practice with Dr. Xavier Sinclair and while both are known in Society, Dr. Valentine attends few balls as well, nor is he seen at many Societal events.

Since I am often attending entertainments, several each week, I would have noted if those two had been at the same function previously, and I can assure you that they had not been, which begs the question: How do they know the other?

This was a meeting that took them both aback and I am convinced that they were not strangers first being introduced but the two shared a history.

I am certain that this will not be the last time that I will observe the two and I am quite anxious to see what might develop. But first I need to know when and how they first met and what became of what I am certain was an attachment for the other.

Observations of a Wallflower