“You’ve not said anything, Miss Hazlett. Will you oblige me by paying close attention to Lady Julia and Lord Beecham? I’m sure you’re just as interested, now, to know what might be in the wind. If I can only find out what it is that Lady Julia is so afraid of, perhaps I might find a way of ridding this household of her. You’d like that as much as me, I know.”
It was true. Lissa detested the woman. “And if you do that, I’ll see that you enjoy a couple of hours free time when I’ll pretend you’re drilling me in deportment or some other wasted pursuit.” She smiled up at Lissa, satisfaction written all over her pretty face. And it was a pretty face, Lissa thought with a pang. Lucinda had all the requirements for being a prime catch.
Just the kind of young lady Ralph’s parents would be delighted at him snaring.
Nevertheless, all that mattered was that Ralph was as loyal and committed to them marrying as he ever was. And Lissa was nearly bursting with excitement at being able to assist him further in his dealings surrounding Lord Debenham.
So when Lady Julia and Lord Beecham were cozily ensconced in the drawing room listening to Lucinda play the piano—quite nicely, in fact,— Lissa ensured she was discreetly positioned within earshot.
Discretion was her hallmark, as Ralph had remarked. Never once had Lissa given cause for eyebrow-raising through any gesture or remark. She was as beyond notice as the furniture. While Ralph thought her beauty equal to Araminta’s—bless him! —Lady Julia clearly didn’t perceive Lissa as a threat. Lissa was just the downtrodden governess beneath notice. Why, she’d not recognized Lissa as Araminta’s companion the year prior when they’d chanced upon each other in a glovemaker’s on Bond Street.
Now, as Lucinda gently played for her own enjoyment, her fingers running over the keys, and Lissa plied her needle and thread, Lady Julia and Lord Beecham cozied up to one another. If Lissa were lucky, they’d forget she was there.
“You gave him what he asked?” This was Lord Beecham, his voice low, the bristles of his mustache twitching in outrage.
“I did, Beechy darling, and Archie is as grateful as I am for averting scandal.”
“Except that it won’t avert it, will it, my dear?”
Lady Julia looked distressed. “But it has to. He must be satisfied with that.” She smoothed her golden hair and took a deep breath. “Anyway, he can prove nothing. I paid him the money so he’d withdraw publication of his nasty little allegations from the Independent Whig.”
“Muckraking newspaper! No one believes a word of what they read it in but it holds such sway! Well, there are whisperings you’re not alone. Someone is ferreting out secrets and passing them on to Debenham, who is making hay while the sun shines.”
“Are you suggesting we go to the authorities? Beechy, I couldn’t possibly.”
“I’m suggesting we find our own means of dealing with the matter, once and for all.” Lord Beecham looked angry. “He and I have done business together. We’ve dined and gambled together. He let me believe he was my friend, but I think the time has come to show him I can be as good a friend to him as he is to me.”
“Beechy, you look like a man not to be crossed when you bare your teeth like that,” Lady Julia tittered. “I can’t imagine what you have in mind.”
Lissa wondered, too, what he might have in mind, or whether it was all big talk designed to impress his lady love. Lady Julia put her hand up to trace the line of his sideburns. “You are quite magnificent, my lord. I’ve not met anyone to equal you.”
“Not Ledger, certainly. And not that puling ninnyhammer, what was his name—Edgar? Not even Stephen Cranborne.” His lip twitched. “Gad’s teeth but I could tear his head from his neck every time I see him. Good thing I’m more motivated by the need to get rid of Debenham.”
Lissa tried to sink farther into the cushions behind her. What was this about Stephen Cranborne and Lady Julia? Or was Lissa jumping to wild conclusions?
“I’m sure we’re not the only ones who’d like to see Debenham at the end of a noose. Alas, securing evidence is likely to see too many of us floundering in the quagmire of what we don’t want made public. I think Debenham might just find himself in a sticky situation from which not even he can extricate himself.”
Now Lissa knew she really had to make Lucinda honor her promise to let her have a few hours free so she could go and tell Ralph everything about this incendiary conversation.
“Well, well, what have we here?”
Lissa smiled up into Ralph’s surprised face as he removed her black cloak, his gaze traveling from the hem of her lovely apple-green muslin to the simple twist of her topknot, so different from the severe style she generally adopted.
Putting his hand under her elbow, he led her deeper into the tiny dwelling where Mrs. Nipkins, who was busy stirring a pot over the fireplace, let out a noise of the greatest appreciation.
“I think you’ll agree that I’ve discovered something very interesting, Ralph.” Lissa hugged herself, she was so excited. “Aren’t you going to ask me what it is?”
“First I want to feast my eyes on you.” He untied the ribbons beneath her chin. “You look even lovelier than you did the night I rescued you from your upturned carriage.”
“Well, I’ve never appeared to such advantage since the night I borrowed Miss Maria Lamont’s ball gown, that’s true.” She grinned. “For more than a year, I’ve been the mousey governess—”
“Waiting to be revealed for the swan through my clever offices.”
“Only it’s my clever offices that’s going to give you the information you need, which, when added to the letter, will convict Lord Debenham.”
“Oh my, Larissa, please sit down. Believe me, I’m all ears and only too ready to cede to you the highest accolades for your clever sleuthing. Truly, you put my poor efforts into the shade. I work for the fellow and have found nothing.”
Lissa seated herself in the chair Ralph pulled out and removed her gloves. “Modesty becomes you, Ralph,” she said. “I should like to hear accolades rain down on my shoulders. Oh, but Mrs. Nipkins…Ralph! It was quite extraordinary how unguarded Lady Julia and Lord Beecham were as they discussed the fact that Lady Julia is being blackmailed—”