Page 87 of An Ill-Made Match

“He’s practically the size of one.”

“He is rather large,” Eden agreed. Parnell sniffed and rooted in the tidy hedges as Lenora hooked her arm through Eden’s and they walked slowly along the path.

“Why did you never reply to my letter?” asked Lenora suddenly. “You were no doubt very cross with me, and you had every right to be,” she continued in a rush of words. “Only... I did hope for some word from you.” She turned her head and fixed her eyes Eden in unspoken appeal. “Indeed, I acted in what I believed and still believe to be for the best.” Eden blinked. What? “In truth I don’t blame you for not responding to my letter. It must have been a terrible shock to you and-”

“What letter?” Eden asked.

Now it was Lenora’s turn to stare. “The letter I asked Lord Vawdrey to give to you, after you had departed Hallam Hall on your wedding morn.”

“But… Lenora,” Eden frowned. “I received no letter from you.”

“What?” No letter?” Her cousin looked stunned. Then another thought struck her, and she seemed more assured. “Of course, your memory of that day will be quite sadly fragmented.”

Eden nodded, “That is true. I was feeling most unwell,” she agreed, before frowning. “But how do you know that?”

“Tis a common after-effect,” said Lenora with a wave of her hand. “But Lord Vawdrey assured me there would be no long-term repercussions.”

“I’m afraid I don’t quite understand-” Eden began, with a terrible feeling of foreboding. “After-effect of what?”

“The drug,” said Lenora impatiently.

“What drug?”

“The drug I slipped in my wine, you remember? I asked you to drink it for me, as I did not care for it.”

Eden came to a halt. “Lenora what are you telling me?”

“Had you not already deduced that you and Sir Roland were drugged?” asked Lenora, her eyes opening very wide. “I felt sure that, even without my letter you would have worked it out. After all, how else did you imagine it happened?”

Eden stared at her. “Drugged? Are you-? But-?”

“Both of you were drugged,” said Lenora simply.

Oh, my gods. “But why?”

“Oh dear,” said Lenora. “My letter explained it so much better for me. Let us go and fetch it for you.” A certain fire entered her eye. “I mean to ask Lord Vawdrey exactly what he meant by not letting you have it!” She grabbed Eden’s arm and started towing her along the path.

“Now?” squeaked Eden.

“He must still have it,” Lenora tossed back over her shoulder. “I want you to read it.”

Eden looked about for Parnell, who had been distracted by a passing butterfly and was foolishly gamboling in the shrubbery. His massive head swiveled toward her, and he galloped after them.

“I can scarcely credit it,” Lenora was muttering under breath. “I am most put out!” And indeed, she looked it. Of course, on Lenora, anger showed as a deeper rose in her cheeks and an extra brilliant shine to her eyes like blue topazes.

“But couldn’t you just tell me what the letter said?” Eden asked breathlessly as they rounded the path that skirted the long gallery. The guard there fell back and they passed through the door unhindered.

“You don’t understand how long I agonized over writing that note,” said Lenora. “You know how poorly I express myself in general.”

They were striding along the corridor now toward the Official’s Corridor. Eden supposed Lord Vawdrey must have a large study here. She looked about with interest.

“Excuse me?” Lenora hailed a nervous looking clerk. “We are looking for the office of Lord Oswald Vawdrey, Chief Advisor to the King.”

He directed them to the very end of the corridor and when they reached that room, Lenora rapped loudly on the door. It was answered by a rather chubby young man with pale eyes and thinning hair, who introduced himself as Lord Vawdrey’s private secretary, Bryce. Eden recognized having seen him often in Lord Vawdrey’s wake. His discreet gaze passed over her and he admitted them both to his ante-chamber, directing them to be seated. He stared a moment at Parnell, as though unsure of his own eyes, then clearly decided to ignore him.

“His lordship is currently in an audience room with the King,” he said tactfully diverting his eyes from Eden.

“Yes, we know it is day two of the hearing,” said Lenora graciously. “But from our experience yesterday, we know there are breaks for refreshment and such,” she waved a hand. “Could you please have a message taken along to him that Lady Lenora Montmayne wishes to have a word with him about a most pressing matter. And that his sister-in-law Lady Eden Vawdrey, awaits him.”