Fi stared after her. “When I grow up, I want to be just like her.”
“Shall we go to her luncheon?” Glory asked.
Although Livy hated to admit it, her curiosity was piqued. She loved a good adventure. Nonetheless, she forced herself to logically consider Charlie’s proposition.
“Why the mystery and lack of chaperonage?” she wondered aloud. “What is the agenda of the Society of Angels? We should discuss this before making any decisions—”
“There you are, girls!”
Pippa, nee Hunt and now the Countess of Longmere, approached in a swish of butter-yellow skirts. Pippa had inherited her mama’s sunny coloring and disposition. When she entered a room, everything seemed to light up.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.” Pippa hugged Livy and the girls in turn. “How are my favorite Willflowers?”
“We are well.” Livy beamed at her. “And you, Pippa? How is married life?”
To Livy’s surprise, a shadow passed over Pippa’s lovely countenance, the way a cloud obscures the sun. It was gone the next instant, and Livy wondered if she had imagined it.
“It is splendid.” Pippa’s smile seemed a bit forced.
With a prickle of concern, Livy asked, “Is everything all right, Pippa?”
“All is well.” Before Livy could decide whether she believed the assertion, Pippa gave her a teasing look. “Still the inquisitive poppet, I see.”
“I am not a poppet.” If Livy was going to win Hadleigh’s heart, she would have to learn to project a more mature image. “Why does everyone think I am a child?”
“I apologize. It is just a habit.” Pippa’s eyes twinkled. “After all, I have known you since you were in leading strings.”
“Can we not talk about me in leading strings?” Livy requested.
“As you wish.” Pippa tilted her head. “By the by, who was that striking lady you were conversing with before I arrived?”
“Lady Charlotte Fayne,” Fiona volunteered. “She is here representing a charity today.”
Pippa’s brow furrowed. “That is curious, since her name is not on the list.”
Livy exchanged glances with the other Willflowers. “Curious indeed.”
“What is the mission of her charity?” Pippa asked.
“Something about giving ladies a noble purpose,” Fi said in an offhand manner, then smoothly changed the topic. “Any luck recruiting for the Hunt Academy?”
“We have had some interested volunteers,” Pippa replied. “But we could always use more help, particularly in tutoring the students in reading and writing.”
“I would be glad to assist,” Glory said earnestly. “In addition to English, I am fluent in French, Chinese, and German. My Italian is not quite up to scratch, but I am working on it.”
Glory was the linguist of the group. As she was a quarter Chinese from her papa’s side, she had a special interest in China’s culture and language.
“Thank you, Glory.” Pippa looked over at her booth where potential candidates were lining up. “Duty calls, I’m afraid. Hopefully I shall see you all soon?”
“I almost forgot,” Livy said. “Will you and the earl be attending our supper party this Saturday?”
“Oh dear, I forgot to reply, didn’t I? How rude of me.” Pippa bit her lip. “I shall have to consult Longmere. He has been, um, in demand of late.”
This time, Livy knew she wasn’t imagining the strain tautening Pippa’s pretty features.
Not wanting to add to the other’s distress, she said, “If your schedule permits, I do hope you both come.”
“Thank you, Livy. It was lovely seeing you girls.” With a flustered smile, Pippa headed off.
“Pippa doesn’t quite seem herself, does she?” Fi murmured.
“She does not,” Livy said with a frisson of worry. “What do you suppose is the matter?”
“According to the on-dit, Pippa’s papa has no particular liking for his son-in-law.” Fi was the expert on ton gossip. “That could cause tension.”
Since Livy had overheard her mama and Mrs. Hunt discussing the matter, she knew that Mr. Hunt did not approve of Lord Edwin Longmere, who fancied himself a painter and ran with a fast crowd. At the same time, Mr. Hunt loved his daughter and supported her, despite their differences of opinion concerning her husband.
“Perhaps we should pay Pippa a visit and talk to her in private,” Livy said. “She is the sweetest of ladies, and it pains me to see her unhappy.”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Now, what were you saying before Pippa arrived?” Fi asked. “About Hadleigh?”
The mention of Hadleigh brought Livy back to her own problems.
“I am going to send him a personal note asking that he attend our supper party. Once he is there, I will endeavor to get him alone again. To convince him that we are meant to be together,” Livy declared. “As Robert the Bruce once said, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.’”
“That is a splendid battle plan.” Fiona winked at her. “It’s not for nothing that you were voted Most Stubborn Debutante.”
“Most Determined,” Livy corrected.
And she was determined to win Hadleigh’s heart. No matter what.
7
Saturday evening, Ben found himself at the Strathavens’ supper party, seated in the place of honor next to the host. As both Strathaven and the lady to Ben’s right were engaged with others, Ben had time to mull over his decision to attend. In the end, he was here because of Livy’s note:
Please come. It would mean the world to me. It may be months until we meet again.
Simple words, yet he’d been powerless to resist them. Written in Livy’s bold and feminine hand, the message reminded him of all the letters she’d sent him during the dark period after Arabella’s death. When he had been at his lowest, Livy had been there for him; he owed her for her sweet and steadfast loyalty. He could not bear the thought of them parting as anything but friends.
Not that he’d had a chance to converse with her. She was seated on the opposite side of the table, two chairs down. An epergne sat in his line of vision, yielding peek-a-boo views of her through the silver branches piled with fruit and fragrant blooms. He caught the dazzling smile she bestowed upon her supper partner, Lord Ian
