The Northumberland Nemesis has landed in London with her own willing victims.
Hasn’t the Duke and Duchess of Langham’s family suffered enough?
Apparently not.
Respectfully yours,
The Midnight Cryer
Theodora’s exhaustion vanished as soon as their coach entered the city of London. Never before had she seen such sights. The buildings crowded each other as if pushing their way to the front of the streets. The calls from the street vendors and the clop of horses pulling carriages harmonized into a symphony of sounds she’d never heard before. Shop windows were decorated with fashions and goods, tempting her to investigate all their treasures. Several bookstores littered the shop fronts as they traveled down Bond Street. Silversmiths, jewelers, and exclusive haberdasheries added to the spectacle. She could shop for weeks and never see it all.
But the most startling sight was the sheer number of people. Never in her life had she seen such a gathering. From all walks of life, the citizens of London fascinated her. They all seemed to be in a hurry, except the nobs and fops dressed in their finest as they strolled the streets with various servants and attendants in tow.
When Will peered out the carriage window, his shoulder brushed hers. She drew a deep breath of his bergamot scent and held it as long as she could. Slowly, she exhaled. “Perhaps you’d recommend a perfume shop. I’ve never been in one.”
A crooked half smile creased his full lips. “I have the perfect establishment. It’s become a family favorite ever since Claire’s father, the previous Duke of Langham, shopped there the first time.”
“Do you think I could have a fragrance made”—her gaze caught his, and the laughter in his eyes made her suddenly shy—“for me?”
“I like the way you smell.” He leaned close and sniffed. He closed his eyes as if judging her scent. “You smell of Northumberland, clean, fresh, a hint of floral, with a hefty dose of wild beauty.”
An uncontrollable heat licked her cheeks. He smiled in that cocky way of his, but she relaxed at the warmth in his eyes. It was a lovely compliment as Northumberland was known for its exquisite splendor.
Lord Fluff jumped from Stella’s lap to Thea’s. Stella tore her attention away from the book she had borrowed from Theodora’s library, a treatise on the history of Thea’s family. The grand dame had read it religiously for the entire five-day journey as they made their way to London. “Will, every woman wants to be unique with her own signature fragrance.” She straightened her seat, and a sly grin graced her lips as if she were enjoying a private joke. “Perhaps something light like a blend of rose water and peonies.”
Will arched one perfect brow. “How mundane. I think something more interesting. Perhaps gardenia or something with a base of melograno.”
“Melograno?” Thea asked. “Is that a flower?”
“Italian for pomegranate,” Stella answered. She narrowed her eyes and critically examined Thea. “With her coloring, it would be perfect. An incomparable scent for an incomparable beauty.”
Will’s gaze never strayed from hers. “My thoughts exactly.”
He turned slightly and winked. The intimate gesture was hidden from Stella and Nancy, the grand dame’s lady’s maid who sat between Stella and Lady Edith. Another blast of heat assaulted Thea’s cheeks.
“You’re gorgeous when you blush,” he whispered. The words were so quiet that for a moment, she imagined she hadn’t heard him correctly.
Lady Edith’s eyebrows shot up.
Thea would melt into the bench of the carriage if he continued such teasing. To preserve what little composure she had, she returned her attention out the carriage window. Without looking at Will, she could sense him drawing away. As if some vital link had been cut, her chest felt hollow.
Soon the coach arrived at a massive mansion in the middle of Mayfair, a gorgeous home that bespoke grandeur the likes of which she’d never seen. Her sharp intake of breath gave away her excitement at arriving at Will’s home.
“Welcome to Langham Hall, Lady Eanruig,” Will announced before he departed the coach. Handsome liveried footmen and groomsmen met the carriage. Will greeted each by name, then held out his hand to Stella who was the first to depart the carriage, then Lady Edith, and finally, Nancy with Lord Fluff in her arms. Thea waited inside and hoped the brief interlude alone would calm the nervousness that rumbled through her with the force of a runaway carriage.
Will returned and leaned into the carriage, his tall body framed by the doorway. The simple act emphasized his fit and lean build. Instantly, Thea’s heart raced at the sight, but she scolded herself at her response. No good would come from allowing him to unsettle her at such an innocent action.
She smoothed the wrinkles that marred her traveling gown and spencer. Though the design lacked any frills, the cerulean brocade shimmered in the sunlight that had broken through the clouds and now graced them with its presence. She’d wanted to look her best when she met his family.
“Are you ready?” He extended his hand, and she placed hers in his. The soft leather of his glove caressed her. “Put on your gloves. It’s customary when you’re introduced to others that your hands be covered.”
“Oh. I apologize.” She fumbled with her kid-skinned gloves that were dyed to match her gown.
“No need for that. We all must learn these lessons. They’re not inborn in any of us.” The gentleness in his voice did little to calm her unease.
“Do you think your family…”
His stare burrowed deep inside her. “Will they what?”
She did her best to tamp down the sudden onslaught of apprehension. “Like me?”
Will took her hand to help her down. The heat of his fingers warmed her skin through the leather. “They’ll love you.”
Her eyes watered at his simple statement. He had no idea how much that meant to her. To be welcomed by a family and accepted as one of their own was her greatest desire. To belong to someone was a gift, and if she ever possessed enough luck to be accepted by a family, she’d cherish it forever. Determined to make a favorable impression, she had peppered Stella with questions about her expected behavior around such an illustrious family, late at night when they’d stopped at an inn or stayed at one of Stella’s numerous friends’ homes along the route.
“I hope they’ll like me,” she answered quietly.
“They will.” He squeezed her hand with his, then gently tugged her to exit. Will led the way and escorted Stella and Edith to the front of the house. Thea and Nancy followed behind.
An elegant older man perfectly attired in a lovely wool suit with an embroidered blue waistcoat that matched the liveried servants’ dress opened the door. “Lord William, welcome home,” he beamed.
“Thank you, Pitts. It’s good to see you. Are my parents home?” Will smiled as he stood aside so Stella, Lady Edith, and Nancy could pass. When Thea stepped forward, he took her hand and wrapped it around his arm.
“I’m afraid not. They had a social engagement before dinner. But luck is with you. Tonight is the weekly family dinner. With you here, the entire family will be attending this evening.” Pitts helped Stella with her spring pelisse.
Stella clapped her hands. “How lucky for us all.”
Pitts turned his beaming smile to Stella. “My dear Lady Payne, may I say that it’s always a brighter day in London when you grace us with your presence.”
“You old conniving rascal,” Stella retorted as she held up her lorgnette and examined the man from head to toe. “You’re still as wily as ever. How long has it been? A year?”
“Indeed, my lady.” Completely unfazed with her rebuke and thorough examination, Pitts laughed, and Lady Edith joined in their frivolity.
“I’d like to introduce Lady Eanruig.” Stella turned to Theodora. “Lady Eanruig, this is Pitts, the most pretentious butler you’ll ever meet.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Pitts offered. The warmth and affection in his eyes was a refreshing balm to Thea’s travel weariness. “Welcome to Langham Hall.” He turned back to Stella. “Madam, if your and Lady Edith’s schedules allow, perhaps we can finish that game of whist from the last time?”
“It’d be my pleasure to take your money,” Stella retorted. “May I add, once again.”
“Perhaps your ladyship will recall that at the end of our last play, you owed me”—Pitts counted on his fingers—“ten pounds and forty shillings.”
Stella grinned playfully. “Old man, we shall meet after dinner and finish this for good.”
Will leaned over and whispered in Thea’s ear, “They do this every time they meet. It’s like a ritualistic dance.”
“I’ve never heard of a butler wagering with a baroness,” Thea whispered in return.
“As you may have surmised, Aunt Stella is a little unorthodox, and so is Pitts. My parents don’t mind their play. It’s a penny a hand, and Pitts always wins.”
“My lady, shall I escort you to your usual room?” Pitts asked.
Stella nodded. “Escort Lady Eanruig to the Iris bedroom. That’s where both William and I would like for her to stay.”
Will stiffened beside her as Stella regally ascended the steps with Pitts in tow. A handsome liveried footman bowed slightly to Theodora. “My lady, may I show you to your room?”
“I’ll take her.” Will grinned in good humor, then gently tugged her arm. They ascended the stairs following Stella, Edith, and Pitts, who were engaged in a rollicking bout of laughter with one another. “They’ve put you in the bedroom that connects to mine.”
“Is it inappropriate?” Good heavens, she didn’t want to make a bad impression before she’d met his family. “Shall we ask for another room?”
“No. It’s just my darling great-aunt outmaneuvering me in hosting responsibilities.” He patted her hand, the one gently wrapped around his arm, and continued their upward ascent. “If I were you, I’d get some rest. You’ll need every ounce of strength to survive the evening,” he said dully.
“Why?” she asked.
“You, my dear Thea, will be the center of attention tonight.”
After changing from her traveling clothes to a plain muslin gown, Thea lay under the huge canopied bed and studied the intricate patterns of irises and tulips above her. The room was everything lovely, decorated with delightful florals in blues, indigos, and purples. It practically sang a song of spring. She’d never seen—much less stayed—in such an opulent room.
Instead of resting, her mind whirled with thoughts of her last conversation with Will. How would his family react to hearing the news she was a houseguest and the notorious Lady Man-Eater? Though she was the Countess of Eanruig, she had no experience being a worldly woman of society—let alone London society. She was well aware of her limitations, growing up so isolated, but it mattered little in Northumberland. But London was a different beast altogether.
Stella had shared so much about her niece and nephew-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Langham. They were lovely people who put their family first. Tonight, with her introduction to the Cavensham family, Thea vowed she’d shine. Whatever she had to do, she’d ensure that Will was proud of her, and as importantly, proud to announce her as his friend.
Tonight, she would wear an evening ensemble in the loveliest shade of blue for this special evening. The brilliant marine color reminded her of Will’s eyes. She’d tried it on several times back at Ladykyrk, and each time she slipped it over her figure, she’d felt like a princess in a fairy tale. Tonight, it’d give her confidence.
A knock on the door broke her reverie. Nancy stood outside ready to help Theodora dress. The lady’s maid offered to help her disrobe and bathe, but ever modest around strangers, Theodora undressed behind a bathing screen and slipped into the tub on her own. From the noises around the room, Nancy busied herself with straightening up Theodora’s clothes and unpacking the remaining items.
“My lady, do you need my help when you’re finished with your bath?” Nancy’s voice called from the other side of the screen. “I help Lady Payne all the time with her bath and dressing. You don’t have anything that I haven’t seen before.” The maid faintly chuckled.
“There’s no need,” Theodora answered. As she quickly rose from the rose-scented bath, the water sluiced from her body. She grabbed the toweling Nancy had laid out and wrapped her body in the softest cotton she’d ever touched in her life. Comparing it to wool was like silk against steel. She dried quickly, but her hand lingered and caressed the luxurious material. Gingerly she stepped around the screen.
Ever efficient, Nancy had laid out her undergarments, shoes, and finally her dress. She had another new pair of kid gloves for the occasion, but as this was a formal dinner, they were ivory—a perfect accompaniment for her gown. The gloves’ length would cover her forearms and elbows.
Which begged the question, how did one eat with such elegant gloves covering one’s hands?
She could ask Nancy the proper etiquette, but how foolish would it make her appear? On the way to London, Stella and Lady Edith had been relentless with etiquette lessons. Some Thea had easily remembered from her governess. Others were like a foreign language. There was no rhythm or reason to the madness of rules. But Thea had never thought to ask about gloves.
She clenched her eyes shut and tried to dredge forth the memories of the few formal dinners she and her grandfather had shared. She recalled little of the actual customs of removing or eating with gloves.
Her grandfather and her governess had instructed her about conversing with the guests who sat on the right and the left. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember a word either of them had said. At the time, she’d didn’t see how it could be important because she and her grandfather were the only two who ever dined together at Ladykyrk. Tonight, she’d be expected to participate in conversation. Suddenly, she suffered from the same affliction as her darling grandfather. There were rules about whom one could and could not speak to at a formal dinner, and she couldn’t remember a single one.
What if the committee, who would decide her fate, discovered her ineptness with even the simplest rules of polite society? Her hands started to sweat, and she clenched her fists. If she didn’t get her unruly emotions under control, she’d stain her dress. Any moisture would ruin the delicate and fragile silk of her evening gown. All her worries combined into a maelstrom she couldn’t wrestle under control. Suddenly, each second that passed foretold a disaster that loomed in her future.
“My lady, are you all right?” Nancy stood with Thea’s delicate chemise in her hands and studied her. “You look like the devil himself has taken a shine to you.”
Thea notched her chin up and tried to dismiss her unease. It wouldn’t do to be nervous tonight. She vowed not to concern herself with any tangled thoughts of etiquette tonight. The Cavensham family would warmly welcome her as both Stella and Will had assured her.
Besides, she was the Countess of Eanruig and would rule her own world.