The Lady Who Came in from the Cold by Grace Callaway

said, “I do apologize for my sister, Pandora. Vi’s just used to speaking her mind.”
    “Her honesty is refreshing,” Penny assured her.
    “I agree—but unfortunately the ton doesn’t,” the duchess said with a sigh. “If Violet doesn’t learn to curb her tongue and manner at least a little , she’s going to land in hot water. And after her behavior at the Waterson’s affair last week, the scandal broth is already at a simmer.”
    Penny had been so preoccupied by her own state of affairs that she’d missed the gossip. “What happened?” she asked.
    “Nothing really. Violet was just being Violet,” Thea said.
    From what she knew of the high-spirited Miss Kent, that could mean most anything.
    “I told her not to dance more than twice with any gentleman. But the moment my back was turned, she was off like a shot. And it was a waltz, too,” Emma huffed.
    “I suppose we can’t blame her. Mr. Murray is one of the most sought after bucks in Town,” Marianne said, “if rather too aware of that fact.”
    “Wickham Murray?” Penny sat up straighter.
    “Yes.” Thea’s honey-brown locks tipped to one side. “Do you know him?”
    “He’s the younger brother of Viscount Carlisle, one of Blackwood’s cronies.” At the thought of her husband, her heart throbbed.
    “I don’t think I’ve met this Carlisle,” Emma said.
    “He’s not much for Society. Prefers his estate in Scotland or his lodge in the country.” She couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose. “He’s always struck me as a bit high in the instep, a rigid, traditional sort of man. Quite the opposite in temperament and looks of his charming younger brother. But Blackwood swears Carlisle’s a good chap and a gentleman’s gentleman, whatever that means.”
    “That doesn’t sound too promising.” Thea nibbled on her lower lip. “Violet doesn’t do well with rigidity or tradition. If she’s truly forming an attachment to Wickham and his older brother doesn’t approve—”
    “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Marianne said firmly. “No matter what happens, we’ll support Vi in finding the happiness she deserves.”
    As the other two murmured their agreement, Penny felt her throat thicken. From the start, she’d admired the close bonds between the Kents. Although like any family they had their share of squabbles and disagreements, they also seemed to greet each other’s quirks and foibles with unwavering acceptance. It was the sort of love that Pandora hadn’t encountered until she’d met Flora and Harry… that she’d believed she had with Marcus.
    The despair that she’d been holding back surged to the fore. Since the episode in the bathing room ten days ago, nothing had changed between her and Marcus. No, not nothing: things had gotten worse . Now he was actively avoiding her, spending as little time as possible at home, and she had to battle growing hopelessness. Would they ever get past their impasse?
    Had her lies destroyed everything?
    “Well, enough about Violet. Let’s get to the crux of why we’re really here.”
    The duchess’ crisp tones broke Penny’s anguished reverie. She looked up, and the compassion on her friends’ faces was almost more than she could bear.
    “Pandora, dearest, how are things?” Thea said softly.
    Don’t be a blasted watering pot. Pull it together.
    “Well, there’s more to do, of course,” she said with false cheer. “Fortunately, there are three weeks left to prepare. I’m thinking of hiring the most splendid orchestra—”
    “We don’t mean the ball. We mean between you and Blackwood.” Although Marianne’s words were blunt, her green eyes held empathy.
    Given the three’s involvement in her case, they knew about the Spectre and his final act of destruction: the letter that had revealed her secrets, smashing her world to smithereens. And even if they hadn’t known about her clandestine past, they couldn’t have missed the rumors buzzing through the ton .