Free Mischief by Moonlight by Emily Greenwood

he’s been off fighting Napoleon for some time, hasn’t he?”
    â€œI haven’t seen him in over a year.”
    One of Mrs. Westin’s slender eyebrows lifted. “So he engaged himself to you, and then went off to war? Isn’t Captain Hargrave worried that you’ll forget about him? And aren’t you a bit worried that some lovely foreign lady might catch his eye?”
    Her frankness was startling. And also refreshing. To say such things out loud, to voice the hidden, unwelcome thoughts that tormented Josie in the dark of night—well, it made her feel oddly comforted.
    She hoped Nicholas had received her letter telling him that she and Edwina would be in London for the Season. His last letter had indicated that on his return to England in late July, he would stop at his London town house first. That was only next month, and if he didn’t receive their letter, how surprised he would be to find Josie in Town.
    Edwina waved her arm dismissively. “Nicholas wouldn’t dare lose interest in Josie. She’s too perfect.”
    â€œEdwina,” Josie said, frowning at her sister’s tone.
    Their hostess laughed, an airy, elegant sound. “But it’s a charming thing to say, as long as the tone is not sarcastic. Tone is everything, my dear Edwina, and you never want to look shrewish or envious. But we can discuss such things further before you two venture into society.”
    â€œShall we see Ivorwood soon?” Josie asked.
    â€œNot just yet. I believe he is quite busy at the moment.”
    Josie tried not to show her disappointment.
    â€œAnyway,” Maria Westin continued, “ we shall be far too busy to see him . I’ll send a note to let him know you’ve arrived.”
    There followed several intense days in which Colin’s aunt tutored Edwina and Josie in London ways and fashions and took them to shops. She invited them to call her Maria, and seemed quite sweetly happy to spoil them.
    â€œSince I am widowed with no children,” she said as she led them into a linen drapers on Bond Street that was overflowing with rich satins and silks, “I want to play fairy godmother to you both.” And she bought them each enough beautiful fabric, in pastel hues that looked straight from the garden, to make three gowns.
    As they got to know their hostess better, Josie couldn’t help noticing that while Maria Westin wasn’t telling Edwina anything Josie hadn’t already suggested herself, Edwina actually seemed to be listening to her.
    ***
    Maria took Josie and Edwina to a dinner party at the end of their first week, to begin introducing them to society. The ladies met a number of charming and flirtatious gentlemen, and by the next morning, Maria said that people had already begun talking about “the beauteous Cardworthy sisters.”
    As each day passed, Josie observed with amazement that her sister seemed to blossom more. Some of this blossoming was surely due to Maria and all she’d exposed them to, but Josie suspected some of it was due to the magic of London itself, with its crowds and grand buildings and city energy. It was as though some sort of scales had grown over Edwina during the years at Jasmine House, and they were falling away now amid the excitement of London.
    Most afternoons the three ladies strolled about the city, wandering among ancient lanes and grand buildings and exploring Hyde Park, and Josie often wished the still-absent Colin were there to share it all with them. She’d missed him as the ladies had stood outside the Tower, where she recalled all the things he’d told her had happened there.
    And how he would have teased her if he’d been present when she’d almost fallen into the Serpentine while chasing an adorable dog who’d snatched her reticule, which had been full of sweets.
    But there was no sign of him; he was apparently very busy. She missed how easy it was to see him at