Mistress at Midnight by Sophia James Page B

Cassandra Lindsay and Rodney Northrup were shown into the room by John.
    ‘I hope we did not keep you waiting at all.’
    ‘You are right on time, Lady Lindsay,’ Aurelia returned, her sentiment not echoed in the face of both Prudence and Harriet.
    ‘Oh, please call me Cassie. All of my friends do.’
    Without waiting for a reply she clasped Leonora’s hands next. ‘Rodney has been most keen to come today, my dear, and with you looking so pretty in pink I can well see why. Your two sisters mirror you in their pastel hues.’ She waited as Aurelia introduced the twins, their curly blond hair catching the light from the window.
    ‘I did not realise your sisters were almost all of the same age, Mrs St Harlow.’
    ‘Prudence and Harriet are nearly seventeen. They will come out next Season.’ Aurelia did not quite feel comfortable using Lady Lindsay’s first name and so did not add anything else at all.
    ‘And your father?’
    ‘Is indisposed at the moment with the influenza. He is in bed and has been for the past few days.’
    ‘Then let us hope he makes a good recovery with no lingering bad effects.’
    In answer Aurelia smiled, the lies falling bald into the room between them. It had been so long since any stranger had set foot in Braeburn House and the need for lies made everything dangerous. Her eyes strayed to the clock. How long did one of these visits usually last for? She hoped it might be quick.
    ‘I visited Mrs St Harlow and her sisters yesterday with Rodney, Hawk. Aurelia St Harlow is…unusual.’
    Cassie’s statement made both men turn from their seats in the corner of the St Auburn library.
    ‘She wore the same dress we saw her inat your ball, which was interesting, though she had done away with the glasses. Her eyes are the most surprising of colours. Different shades,’ she continued as neither her husband nor Stephen spoke. ‘I wonder why she hides herself beneath yards and yards of shapeless black bombazine.’
    Nat began to smile. ‘What are you trying to tell us, Cassie?’
    ‘Secrets linger in Mrs St Harlow’s eyes like ghosts and she is careful with every single thing that she says. Charles, of course, was difficult, so that may be part of it. But there are other things, as well. The same servant who greeted us at the carriage after the ball last night took our coats, provided us with tea and showed us out.’
    ‘You think they are short of money?’ Hawkhurst made the observation.
    ‘The house is furnished well and is one of the prettiest properties in all of Mayfair, so that possibility seems remote. There was an odd sound whilst we were there, though. A howling if I had to name it. Mrs St Harlow said that they had just taken over the care of a small puppy and were trying to train the animal. Her sisters looked less than comfortable with the explanation, however, andI got the feeling they were relieved to see us go. Not Leonora, of course. Rodney and she existed in a space all of their own and I have never seen my brother so happy.’
    ‘Is it wise to encourage him, do you think?’ Nat asked the question.
    ‘You refer to Mrs St Harlow’s past, no doubt, and the unfortunate accident at Medlands.’
    ‘It was widely known that they were not happy. Charles had apparently said something of his wife expressing her desire for his early demise not long before he died. His friends testified that she harassed and badgered him all of the time, a woman who was never content with all the gifts that he was showering upon her. By all accounts from the London jewellers and suchlike, there were many.’
    ‘Which friends?’ Stephen joined in the conversation.
    ‘Freddy Delsarte and his cronies were amongst their number, if I recall.’
    ‘Delsarte waylaid Mrs St Harlow at the ball. She had bruises on her wrist from his grip.’
    ‘Perhaps he is another of her disenchanted lovers, then. The parties they held at Medlandswere notorious.’ Nat used a tone that was unusual. Stephen had heard the