Page 94 of An Ill-Made Match

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In the end Eden simply sent a message to Lenora via one of the Queen’s pages.

Dear Cousin, would it be possible for you to invite me to dine with you tonight in your chambers? It would be lovely to catch up with your news, and I would consider it a particular favor if you would invite our mutual acquaintance Lady G, who I quite long to see.

The page sped off carrying her note, and though she had initially been pleased as punch by her ingenuity, Eden had no sooner sent it, then she started doubting that Lenora would catch her meaning. Lady G referred to Lenora’s cat, Griselda, and Eden’s intention was that Lenora would see the supper request for the mere nonsense it was, and realize she was instead asking for her help in some subterfuge. However, so fond was Lenora of her cats, that Eden feared she might not find anything amiss with her letter! Even though the whimsical tone was most unlike Eden’s usual manner. She paced about, wringing her hands and fretting that she would not manage her escape from the Queen’s confinement that evening. The Queen arrived back from her ride and changed into a charming outfit of peacock blue. Eden tidied her hair and changed into her rose pink gown. When she emerged, the Queen was reading a note which she passed to Eden.

“Your cousin invites you for supper,” she said. “It might be a good idea for the two of you to clear the air, though I had hoped you might sing for me after supper. I have Viscount Bardulph dining with me this evening.” Eden noticed a fleeting look of dislike cross Jane’s face, before she suppressed it. Interesting, thought Eden. Jane does not like the charming viscount! “Never mind,” sighed the Queen. “Jane dear, you must read for us instead after supper.”

“Viscount Bardulph does not care for my reading voice,” pointed out Jane without any expression. “He said I have a nasal inflection, if you recall your majesty.”

“Nonsense!” said the Queen heartily. “He merely teases you. This is the problem with unmarried women,” she said turning to Eden. “They do not understand what teasing creatures men can be.”

Eden felt a sudden sympathy for Jane. “It is likely because he is not used to our accent,” she said. “Viscount Bardulph is from the Western Isles, is he not?” Jane’s answering look said she wished he would go back there, and soon.

“That is so,” nodded the Queen. “He is my countryman.”

“Will you dine with your family this evening?” Jane asked Eden in a deliberate change of subject.

“Oh… yes,” Eden replied. “My cousin writes she will call for me at seven.”

Lenora arrived promptly at seven, and even exchanged a few words with the Queen. Eden was amazed at her cousin’s self-possession. There was nothing furtive or nervous about her manner, and when Eden whispered her plan to her, as they proceeded to the west wing, she did not even blink an eyelid.

“Of course,” she nodded placidly. “I thought it would be something of the sort. I can return for you in three hours.”

“I hope it is not a great imposition,” Eden fussed nervously. “What will you do if a guard were to arrive for me, or something of that sort?”

Lenora shrugged. “I daresay I should think of something,” she said vaguely, with an air of assurance that quite staggered Eden.

“You must not worry,” Lenora said glibly. “Just make sure you are ready to return with me at ten o’clock.”

“I will.” They had arrived at the Vawdrey rooms, and Eden kissed Lenora’s cheek and knocked faintly at the door. It opened immediately. Parnell, who she had brought with her jumped up at his master in excitement. Eden heard Castor bark from inside, and the next thing she knew she was whisked inside, pressed back against the door and thoroughly kissed, as Roland turned the key in the lock. A loud ‘woof’ startled them both, as Castor came bounding over to welcome her and Parnell. Roland grudgingly made room for the large beasts, milling around them. “Hello, hello there Castor. I knew they would be pleased to see one another. Lenora is calling back for me in three hours,” she said, as Roland propelled her to a chair by the fire. He sat down and pulled her into his lap, kissing her again until she was breathless and clinging to him.

“Do you know what’s going to happen on the morrow?” she asked as soon as she could draw breath.

“Not really,” he admitted. “I think everyone who wanted to put in their two pennies has now done so. Mason caught me up on the first day and today seemed like much of the same.”

“What did he make of it?” Eden asked.

Roland exhaled noisily. “He scarcely knew what to make of it,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “And neither did I, hearing his re-telling.”

“Lord Vawdrey and Lenora swore that I was the intended bride,” marveled Eden lowering her voice. “Listening to them, I almost believe it myself.”

Roland looked at her then glanced away. “Mason said the same thing,” he muttered.

“What’s wrong?”

He flung his head back and rested it on the back of the chair. “You should have been,” he said closing his eyes. “If I hadn’t been so fucking blind about my own feelings. I never exchanged more than a half dozen words with your cousin.”

Eden slipped her arm around his neck. “Don’t be upset,” she said pressing in close to him. His jaw remained tense, even when she dropped a kiss on it. “If you had asked my uncle, I would just have said no. Screamed it, actually. Then run for a convent,” she said seriously.

His eyes flickered open and he grudgingly smiled. “I’d still have had you, all the same,” he said.

“Yes,” she whispered and kissed the corner of his mouth, where it turned up. “And today? Who was there?”

“Your uncle Christopher,” muttered Roland. Eden tensed. Oh no. “Mason and Cuthbert,” Roland continued with disgust.

Eden drew back to look at him uncertainly. “Really?”