Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [42]
What in hell was happening to him?
He decided to pass the time doing a bit of prying. Mrs. Albrighton had lived at The Rarest Blooms a long time. She probably knew Mrs. Joyes as well as anyone did.
He doubted that she knew Mrs. Joyes’s secrets, however. Mrs. Albrighton would not know about Becksbridge or how Mrs. Joyes came by that property. She also probably did not know what he had discovered this morning in the War Office cellar—that Mrs. Joyes had been living a long lie about her past.
“Your friend is a lovely woman,” he said to Mrs. Albrighton. “And very considerate, I see. I trust that she is enjoying her visit to London?”
Mrs. Albrighton pursed her lips. “She has found ways to make it other than a sojourn of pleasure. I am not surprised. She has a tendency to seriousness that requires her to be industrious in some way or another.”
“Perhaps travel is a common experience for her. If so, a visit to London might be too ordinary to require diversions.”
“She traveled when she was married, of course. When she followed the drum. Since moving to Cumberworth, however, she rarely missed a night there.” Mrs. Albrighton paused thoughtfully. “There were a few occasions when she removed herself for several days. And once for a longer spell. A fortnight, I believe, although I do not remember well since it was many years ago.”
“Perhaps she prefers friends to visit her in the country.”
“No, not that I recall. Well, Audrianna and Audrianna’s mother, but otherwise we had no visitors from London, for example.”
So, even if the affair with the old duke had continued while Mrs. Joyes used that property, it had not been during the five years that Mrs. Albrighton lived with her. Castleford had wondered about that.
“She holds her own counsel, but I surmise that her life has not been an easy one,” he said.
Mrs. Albrighton glanced over her shoulder, checking to make sure the subject of their conversation was not visible. “Not at all easy. When her father died, her family’s property went to a second cousin who felt no obligation to her. Nor did her other relatives. Audrianna—Lady Sebastian Summerhays—is her cousin, you may know, and Audrianna has told me how humiliated she was that her parents concluded they could ill afford to take Daphne in. When Audrianna herself needed a home, however, Daphne did not hesitate. There were other relatives who were no more helpful, so Daphne had to go into service as a governess.”
“You must encourage her to make the most of this week, Mrs. Albrighton,” Castleford said. “A life with no fun is sad, no matter how admirably virtuous it may be.”
Albrighton raised one eyebrow at that. He said nothing, however, good man that he was. If Hawkeswell were here, he would immediately remark upon the peculiarity of the words “admirably virtuous” coming from a man who never admired virtue.
“I agree,” Mrs. Albrighton said. “Lady Hawkeswell does as well. She and I have been plotting what to arrange. I proposed Vauxhall Gardens. I do not think Daphne has ever been there.”
“Everyone should see it at least once.”
“Some people think that once is more than enough,” Jonathan said dryly.
“Why not invite Mrs. Joyes to go tomorrow night, if the weather is fair? You will not mind accompanying the ladies, will you, Albrighton?”
Albrighton cast Castleford a glare.
“Why not indeed? I will send a message to Verity this evening,” Mrs. Albrighton said, pleased with the idea.
“I will encourage Hawkeswell to be agreeable,” Castleford said. “In fact, why not make a party of it? If you would not mind my presence, and would honor me by being my guests, we can all take my barge there and have a decent meal on board, instead of pretending to enjoy their ham.”
Mrs. Albrighton appeared surprised at his offer, but pleasantly so, even flattered. Her husband’s gaze darkened with curiosity.
Mrs. Joyes emerged from the house then, carrying a tray laden with that lemon and honey punch. Albrighton rose to help her. Mrs. Albrighton passed around the glasses.
Castleford sipped. It was very good. Nicely tart and sweet at the same time.