The Truth about the Earl (Whispers of the Ton #1)

Prologue

Prologue

“ I was very sorry to hear of the death of your husband.”

Lady Norah Essington gave the older lady a small smile, which she did not truly feel. “I thank you. You are very kind.” Her tone was dull but Norah had no particular concerns as regarded either how she sounded or how she appeared to the lady. She was, yet again, alone in the world, and as things stood, was uncertain as to what her future would be.

“You did not care for him, I think.”

Norah’s gaze returned to Lady Gillingham’s with such force, the lady blinked in surprise and leaned back a fraction in her chair.

“I mean no harm by such words, I assure you. I –”

“You have made an assumption, Lady Gillingham, and I would be glad if you should keep such notions to yourself.” Norah lifted her chin but heard her voice wobble. “I should prefer to mourn the loss of my husband without whispers or gossip chasing around after me.”

Lady Gillingham smiled, reached forward, and settled one hand over Norah’s. “But of course.”

Norah turned her head, trying to silently signal that the meeting was now at an end. She was not particularly well acquainted with the lady and, as such, would be glad of her departure so that she might sit alone and in peace. Besides which, if Lady Gillingham had been as bold as to make such a claim as that directly to Norah herself, then what would she think to say to the ton ? Society might be suddenly full of whispers about Norah and her late husband—and then what would she do?

“I have upset you. Forgive me.”

Norah dared a glance at Lady Gillingham, taking in the gentle way her eyes searched Norah’s face and the small, soft smile on her lips. “I do not wish you to disparage my late husband, Lady Gillingham. Nor do I want to hear such rumors being spread in London – whenever it would be that I would have cause to return.”

“I quite understand, and I can assure you I do not have any intention of speaking of any such thing to anyone in society.”

“Then why state such a thing in my presence? My husband is only a sennight gone and, as I am sure you are aware, I am making plans to remove myself to his estate.”

“Provided you are still welcome there.”

Norah closed her eyes, a familiar pain flashing through her heart. “Indeed.” Suddenly, she wanted very much for Lady Gillingham to take her leave. This was not at all what she had thought would occur. The lady, she had assumed, would simply express her sympathies and take her leave.

“Again, I have injured you.” Lady Gillingham let out a long sigh and then shook her head. “Lady Essington, forgive me. I am speaking out of turn and with great thoughtlessness, which I must apologize for. The truth is, I come here out of genuine concern for you, given that I have been in the very same situation.”

Norah drew her eyebrows together. She was aware that Lady Gillingham was widowed but did not know when such a thing had taken place.

“I was, at that time, given an opportunity which I grasped at with both hands. It is a paid position but done most discreetly.”

Blinking rapidly, Norah tried to understand what Lady Gillingham meant. “I am to be offered employment?” She shook her head. “Lady Gillingham, that is most kind of you but I assure you I will be quite well. My husband often assured me his brother is a kind, warm-hearted gentleman and I have every confidence that he will take care of me.” This was said with a confidence Norah did not truly feel but given the strangeness of this first meeting, she was doing so in an attempt to encourage Lady Gillingham to take her leave. Her late husband had, in fact, warned her about his brother on more than one occasion, telling her he was a selfish, arrogant sort who would not care a jot for anyone other than himself.

“I am very glad to hear of it, but should you find yourself in any difficulty, then I would beg of you to consider this. I have written for the paper for some time and find myself a little less able to do so nowadays. The truth is, Lady Essington, I am a little dull when it comes to society and very little takes place that could be of any real interest to anyone, I am sure.”

Growing a little frustrated, Norah spread her hands. “I do not understand you, Lady Gillingham. Perhaps this is not -”

“An opportunity to write , Lady Essington.” Lady Gillingham leaned forward in her chair, her eyes suddenly dark and yet sparkling at the same time. “To write about society! Do you understand what I mean?”

Norah shook her head but a small twist of interest flickered in her heart. “No, Lady Gillingham. I am afraid I do not.”

The lady smiled and her eyes held fast to Norah’s. “ The London Chronicle , as you know, has society pages. I am sure you have read them?”

Norah nodded slowly, recalling the times she and her mother had pored over the society pages in search of news as to which gentlemen might be worth considering when it came to her future. “I have found them very informative.”

“Indeed, I am glad to hear so.” Lady Gillingham smiled as if she had something to do with the pages themselves. “There is a rather large column within the society pages that mayhap you have avoided if you are averse to gossip and the like.”

Norah shifted uncomfortably in her chair. The truth was, she had read them many times over and had been a little too eager to know of the gossip and rumors swirling through London society whilst, at the same time, refusing to speak of them to anyone else for fear of spreading further gossip.

“I can see you understand what it is I am speaking about. Well, Lady Essington, you must realize that someone writes such a column, I suppose?” She smiled and Norah nodded slowly. “ I am that person.”

Shock spread through Norah’s heart and ice filled her chest. Not all of the gossip she had read had been pleasant – indeed, some of it had been so very unfavorable that reputations had been quite ruined.

“You are a little surprised but I must inform you I have set a great deal of trust in you by revealing this truth.” Lady Gillingham’s smile had quite faded and instead, Norah was left with a tight-lipped older lady looking back at her with steel in her dark eyes.

“I – I understand.”

“Good.” Lady Gillingham smiled but there was no lightness in her expression. “The reason I speak to you so, Lady Essington, is to offer you the opportunity in the very same way that I was all those years ago.”

For some moments, Norah stared at Lady Gillingham with undisguised confusion. She had no notion as to what the lady meant nor what she wanted and, as such, could only shake her head.

Lady Gillingham sighed. “I am tired of writing my column, Lady Essington. As I have said, it is a paid position and all done very discreetly. I wish to return to my little house in the country and enjoy being away in the quiet countryside rather than the hubbub of London. The funds I have received for writing this particular column have been more than enough over the years and I have managed to save a good deal so that I might retire to the country in comfort.”

“I see.” Still a little confused, Norah twisted her lips to one side for a few moments. “And you wish for me to write this for you?”

“For yourself!” Lady Gillingham flung her hands in the air. “They want to continue the column, for it is very popular, and as such, they require someone to write it. I thought that, since you find yourself in much the same situation as I was some years ago, you might be willing to think on it.”

Blowing out a long, slow breath, Norah found herself nodding out but quickly stopped it from occurring. “I think I should like to consider it a little longer.”

“But of course. You have your mourning period, and thereafter, perhaps you might be willing to give me an answer?”

Norah frowned. “But that is a little over a year away.”

“Yes, I am well aware it is a long time, Lady Essington. But I shall finish writing for this Season in the hope that you will take over thereafter. It is, as I am sure you have been able to tell, quite secretive and without any danger.”

Norah gave her a small smile, finding her heart flooding with a little relief. “Because you are Mrs. Fullerton,” she answered, as Lady Gillingham beamed at her. “You write as Mrs. Fullerton, I should say.”

“Indeed, I do. I must, for else society would not wish to have me join them in anything, and then where would I be?” A murmur of laughter broke from her lips as she got to her feet, bringing her prolonged visit to an end. “Consider what I have suggested, my dear. I do not know what your circumstances are at present and I am quite certain you will not be aware of them until you return to the late Lord Essington’s estate but I am quite sure you would do excellently. You may, of course, write to me whenever you wish with any questions or concerns that I could answer for you.”

“I very much appreciate your concern and your consideration, Lady Gillingham.” Rising to her feet, Norah gave the lady a small curtsy, which was returned. “I shall take the year to consider it.”

“Do.” Reaching out, Lady Gillingham grasped Norah’s hands and held them tightly, her eyes fixed on Norah’s. “Do not permit yourself to be pushed aside, Lady Essington. Certain characters might soon determine that you do not deserve what is written on Lord Essington’s will but be aware that it cannot be contested. Take what is yours and make certain you do all you can for your comfort. No one will take from you what is rightfully yours, I assure you.”

Norah’s smile slipped and she could only nod as Lady Gillingham squeezed her hands. She was rather fearful of returning to her late husband’s estate and being informed of her situation as regarded her husband’s death.

“And you must promise me that you will not speak of this to anyone.”

“Of course,” Norah promised without hesitation. “I shall not tell a soul, Lady Gillingham. Of that, you can be quite certain.”

“Good, I am glad.” With another warm smile, Lady Gillingham dropped Norah’s hands and made her way to the door. “Good afternoon, Miss Essington. I do hope your sorrow passes quickly.”

Norah nodded and smiled but did not respond. Did Lady Gillingham know Norah had never had a kind thought for her husband? That their marriage had been solely because of Lord Essington’s desire to have a young, pretty wife by his side rather than due to any real or genuine care or consideration for her? Telling herself silently that such a thing did not matter, Norah waited until Lady Gillingham had quit the room before flopping back into her chair and blowing out a long breath.

Most extraordinary. Biting her lip, Norah considered what Lady Gillingham had offered her. Was it something she would consider? Would she become the next writer of the London Chronicle society column? It was employment, but not something Norah could simply ignore.

“I might very well require some extra coin,” she murmured to herself, sighing heavily as another rap came at the door. Most likely, this would be another visitor coming to express their sympathy and sorrow. Whilst Norah did not begrudge them, she was finding herself rather weary.

I have a year to consider, she reminded herself, calling for the footman to come into the room. One year. And then I may very well find myself as the new Mrs. Fullerton.