However, she didn’t know how to support herself and Beatrix without their schemes. Hopefully, Beatrix would secure her father’s support, and Selina would earn enough money during the Season to give up this life and live modestly somewhere. Legitimacy and security were so very close.
Her gaze fell on Harry’s trio of sisters, who were once again squiring Beatrix about. They’d started the evening that way, and it appeared they’d end it in the same manner. In between, Beatrix had danced and conversed and seemed to have a wonderful time.
Good. That was the entire point of being here. She was well on her way to becoming precisely what she wanted: the toast of London.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Gresham?”
Selina turned, and her pulse instantly quickened. But only for a moment, which was how long it took her to realize it wasn’t Mr. Sheffield who’d spoken to her, but his brother, Lord Northwood. They were identical, and if it hadn’t been for the difference in their attire, Selina wondered if she could tell them apart at all.
“I am, thank you. And you?”
“I always enjoy the parties my parents host. There is an advantage.” He lowered his voice. “Because I can sneak away quite easily if I feel the need.”
“I see. Does such a need arise for you frequently?”
“Not as much as it does for my brother. You’re aware he left some time ago?”
At least two hours. After their stroll in the garden, he’d come back up to the drawing room, where he’d spoken to a few people. Then he’d come to tell Selina he was leaving, an event that still had her puzzled. It was as if they’d formed some sort of…attachment. But then, she supposed they had. She was working for him. To help him investigate herself. The thought made her simultaneously giddy with satisfaction and nervous with apprehension.
But it was perhaps more than business. There was something in the way he looked at her, the way he felt beneath her palm as they’d promenaded, the way he’d kissed her hand.
They way they’d almost flirted.
That’s nothing new, she reminded herself. You flirt when you have to.
And given how things were working out with the Bow Street Runner, it had clearly been beneficial. Yet, she hadn’t done it on purpose.
“Yes, he was kind enough to bid me good evening before he left,” Selina said, answering the viscount.
Northwood’s brows arched. “Did he? How fascinating. How is it you two met?”
Mr. Sheffield hadn’t told him? “I tripped in front of him, actually. On The Strand. He caught me before I fell.”
“How dashing.” Northwood chuckled. “No wonder he didn’t tell us. Delia will be delighted to hear the tale, unless she was able to pry it from him before he left. Somehow, I think she didn’t. Harry is notoriously closemouthed.”
“About everything?”
“Most things. Our family can be rather, ah, boisterous. Harry is probably the least so.” He shook his head. “Not probably, definitely. Which isn’t to say he doesn’t get up to mischief. He’s just incredibly subtle about it. What is your family like, Lady Gresham?”
“Small. It’s only me and Beatrix.” Her gaze went to where she stood with Northwood’s sisters. “Your sisters have been very kind to her this evening.”
“They love to help people, particularly young ladies trying to navigate London. And find husbands.”
It seemed to Selina that Mr. Sheffield’s family was perhaps playing matchmaker. She knew Lady Aylesbury wanted him—and his brother Northwood—to wed. It was almost all she talked about when she came to see Madame Sybila to discuss the future.
Selina was glad to see Beatrix, escorted by the sisters, coming toward her. After thanking Mr. Sheffield’s siblings for a wonderful evening, Selina and Beatrix departed.
Once they were ensconced in the vehicle Selina had hired for the evening, she removed the ostrich feathers from her hair so she could sit without bowing her head. “That went well.”
“It was better than well. It was marvelous.” Beatrix positively beamed.
“You were quite popular this evening,” Selina said.
“I was, wasn’t I? I do think Mr. Sheffield’s sisters will help me with a voucher for Almack’s.”
“That would be lovely. However, don’t place all your faith in them. We must still cultivate other connections. Identifying such people is part of what I’m doing as Madame Sybila.”
“I know it’s your nature never to trust anyone, but I do believe they are earnest in their pledge to help. You should relax a bit, like you did around Mr. Sheffield.”
Selina turned her head to stare at Beatrix. “What makes you say that?”
Beatrix shrugged. “Just something I noticed. And don’t try to say I couldn’t know. Of course I could. I know you better than anyone.”
That was true. “I find it necessary to be as relaxed as possible around Mr. Sheffield. He is a means to an end—launching you successfully—and we are now working together.”
Angling her body toward Selina, Beatrix gaped at her. “You’re what?”
“I’m helping him investigate Madame Sybila.”
Beatrix blinked. “You’re helping him…investigate…you.” She began to laugh, softly at first, and then her guffaws filled the coach.
Selina couldn’t help but join in, even as she felt a slight discomfort. After a moment, she said, “I’m glad you find this amusing.”
“How can I not? It’s too perfect. However did you manage it?”
“Quite easily, actually.”
Beatrix settled back against the seat. “I’m sure. You could talk the devil into handing you hell. How do you plan to work this situation?”
“I’ll meet with Madame Sybila and then tell Mr. Sheffield what I’ve learned. I’m afraid he’ll be disappointed to learn she’s incredibly harmless.” Selina ran her fingertips along one of the ostrich feathers. “We need to create the appearance of the charity for wayward children, as we’ve done in the past. Sheffield mentioned charities tonight in reference to Madame Sybila.”
In the past, they’d collected funds for charities as a means of income. On occasion, they had to make the fake charity look real, and they hired someone to act as the proprietor of whatever endeavor they were “supporting.” In this case, it was a home for wayward children.
“You already have someone in mind to help us.”
“I do, and I’ll visit him tomorrow.” Selina didn’t have very many connections in London after so much time away, but she had Mrs. Kinnon and a boy who’d been a good friend to her and Rafe. Of course, Luther was no longer a boy.
“Do you want me to come along?”
“No, I’ll see him after I go to church, and I don’t want you coming with me to St. Dunstan-in-the-West either.”
“I understand you not wanting to endanger me,” Beatrix said softly, “but I want to help.” She put her hand on Selina’s. “We’re family, and I’m as committed to avenging your brother’s death as you are.”
So far, Selina hadn’t been able to find the Vicar. She’d gone to the church the other day—in disguise in case Sheffield had been around—and requested a meeting, only to be told he wasn’t available and that she shouldn’t return. Of course she would return and planned to do so tomorrow to attend church. During the service, she would endeavor to search the building. At the very least, she hoped to encounter someone who could help her find the Vicar, if not at the church, then somewhere else.