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“In that case,” he said, handing his cup to the footman, “I’ll get my coat.”

Chapter

Eleven

Carrigan turned the carriage through Grosvenor Gate, off Park Lane, and entered Hyde Park near its northwest corner. This part of the park wasn’t the most fashionable spot to be seen, and Audrey believed that was the reason Lady Susan had chosen it as their meeting place.

She was nearly certain the young woman posed no threat, and yet persistent nerves contributed to a churning of her stomach on the ride here. It intensified with every minute, it seemed.

“My lady, I do hope you’ll allow me to attend you when you have your meeting,” Greer said.

She sat on the opposite bench, dressed in the darker, more reserved clothing of a housekeeper. The role suited the former lady’s maid perfectly. When Greer presented herself shortly before one o’clock as Audrey was preparing to leave and informed her that she would be joining her and Carrigan, Audrey had known exactly what Hugh had asked of Greer.

“Lady Susan would not have invited me to such a public place in the middle of the day if she intended to harm me,” Audrey said. “I believe she has something important to tell me, and I do not wish for her to feel nervous she’ll be overheard, even by a servant.”

Servants were, after all, the best conduits for gossip.

“I will stay back to give you privacy. It won’t be at all strange given your situation,” Greer replied with a pointed glance at her round midriff.

Audrey sighed. She didn’t have the wherewithal to argue. Though she’d slept late, nearly to ten o’clock, the previous day must have taken its toll. The night spent in Hugh’s arms had enlivened her, to be sure, but she grew tired more easily as of late.

“Very well,” she said, giving in to what had likely been the viscount’s insistence that Carrigan and Greer not let her out of their sight.

Carrigan drove through the avenue of walnut trees, their bare limbs skeletal against a sunny December sky, and drew along the reservoir. Just three other conveyances had driven past them on the gravel path so far, and when Carrigan helped her down, he said, “There is a carriage parked on the south side of the reservoir, my lady.”

Sure enough, a footman standing next to that carriage immediately opened the door and handed down a young woman. She wore a dark burgundy wool cloak and matching bonnet, the brim wide enough to conceal most of her face. Audrey started toward her, with Greer’s footfalls crunching along the gravel several paces behind. Lady Susan’s nerves about being seen were all too obvious as she strode swiftly to meet Audrey. Her pale complexion and wide eyes when they met along the reservoir’s edge were also telltale signs of her anxiety.

“Lady Susan Ritchson?” Audrey began when a few seconds passed and the other woman had not yet spoken.

“My lady,” she said, her voice tremulous. “Thank you for meeting me. Forgive the inconvenience.”

Audrey relaxed. This woman was not a killer.

“Not at all. I am glad you thought to slip me a note.”

It was cold, and their breaths formed clouds. Lady Susan’s were greater in number, her breaths coming more rapidly. She checked over her shoulder, toward the carriage where her driver waited.

“Will your mother find out?” Audrey asked.

“I think not. The staff are devoted to me. I believe they understand that my mother can be…rather austere.”

The countess’s icy severity came to Audrey’s mind quite clearly. It was easy to see why the servants would dote on Lady Susan, especially if they felt sorry for her.

“I am truly sorry about Miss Harwood’s death,” Audrey said, eager to get to the reason for their meeting. “You two were close, I understand?”

The young woman’s large brown eyes glistened. “Yes. I could not believe it when Mrs. Harwood sent word. Who would do such a thing?”

Audrey had hoped Lady Susan had arranged to meet because she knew or suspected the person responsible. She couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed now.

“Mrs. Harwood also informed us that Viscount Neatham has been charged with the inquest. So, when you sent your card in advance, my mother ordered me to stay in my room during your visit.”

It was what Audrey had suspected.

“Why would Lady Tenney wish to hide you away?” she asked.

“My mother doesn’t want our family involved in the scandal. She says it will taint me by association,” Lady Susan explained. She then lifted her shoulders into a hapless shrug. “And I suppose she also knows how awful I am at lying.”

Intrigued, Audrey forgot the biting cold for the moment. “What would she expect you to lie about?”