Lady Arial |

The Duchess of Winshire had been one of the early supporters of Arial, Countess of Stancroft, as she attempted to establish herself in Society. The courageous lady had faced down gossip and scandal, fomented by her wicked cousin and her husband’s nasty step-mother. Her dignity and grace under fire had won Eleanor’s admiration and her heart, and her door was always open to Arial.

Today, Arial was seeking her help. “It is for my sister Rosalind, Your Grace,” she explained. “She has been abducted. My husband had ridden after her, and so has her betrothed, Lord Merrick. One of the neighbours saw her being taken. The silly old biddy did not raise the alarm until we after we had discovered that Rose was missing. We think we know where she has been taken, and I trust Peter and Merrick to get her back, but I need to manage the gossip! It is too late to put a gag on the neighbour, so we must instead, I think, make Rose out to be the heroine that she actually is. I will tell you the whole story, and then I hope I can count on your help.”

Eleanor did not hesitate. “You have my help, Arial, but please, tell me what actually happened.”

***

This kidnapping takes place in Inviting the Wild, which is about going to the publisher in the next dayRose attempts to prevent the abduction of the elderly gentleman next door and is carried off as well. More about that closer to July, when the book is due for publication.

Her Grace the Duchess of Winshire asked her daughter-in-law, the Duchess of Haverford, to pour the tea. Her youngest stepdaughter, Rosemary, handed the cups around, her ward Frances following behind with plates of delicate treats.

The ladies who had gathered at Eleanor Winshire’s invitation chatted amongst themselves, waiting patiently for Eleanor to explain why she had called them together.

They were some of the most influential ladies of London, all of them connected to Eleanor by marriage, friendship or family. Eleanor planned to put them to work. She waited until all of them had been served, and then she spoke.

“Ladies.”

The hum of conversation in the room trailed away, and all eyes turned to Eleanor. She had planned how to begin, what happened next would be up to her friends and allies.

“A newcomer to Society is being targetted with lying gossip, and I want to help her. I would welcome your advice and assistance.”

Those gathered nodded or inclined their heads, but no one spoke.

“I speak of the former Lady Arial Bledisloe, daughter of the House of Stancroft and now Viscountess Ransome,” she explained.

Someone, she did not see who, breathed, “Lady Beast.”

“Yes,” said Eleanor. “That is the problem in a nutshell. A fine young woman subjected to such a heinous name. What, ladies, do we know about her and her husband? And about those who are campaigning against her?”