Free Laura Lee Guhrke by Not So Innocent Page A

was one thing, but kleptomania was something else. If people found out, Violet would be ruined.
    Auntie wasn’t the only one to consider. There was Grimstock. She knew Grimmy had reformed and was perfectly trustworthy, but she doubted family and friends would agree. And what lodgers wanted to stay in a house where there was a former criminal?
    Then, of course, there was Harold. Sophie knew her sister’s husband was taking money out of the trust funds of some of his clients. She wasn’t much concerned for his well-being, but he and Charlotte had five children. What would happen to her sister and the children if Dunbar dragged Harold off to prison? More scandal, more humiliation for the family.
    Everybody has secrets, luv. Everybody
.
    Sophie knew that better than anyone, and rightnow, the burden of knowing other people’s secrets weighed heavy. She rested her elbows on the table and rubbed her eyes with the tips of her fingers. Why, oh why, couldn’t she just be an ordinary person with an ordinary life?
    “Sophie, what is the matter?” Violet asked. “The police inspector is alive, yet you look as if the world is ending. Perhaps you should see Doctor Wayneflete about a tonic.”
    Sophie wished a tonic were the answer. “I’m just a bit tired this morning. That’s all.” She reached for the first letter on her pile of correspondence, opened it, and scanned the first few lines with growing dismay. She groaned aloud and met Violet’s inquiring gaze. “Mama is matchmaking again.”
    Violet made a sound of sympathy. “She always does when she comes down to visit. You know that.”
    “Yes, but she writes that this time she wants to stay with us. You know how dreadful it was two years ago, when Charlotte’s house was being painted and Mama had to stay here.”
    “I do remember.” Violet nodded in agreement. Though she loved her sister, she had an opinion similar to Sophie’s on the subject of Agatha’s visits. “But Agatha always stays in Hampstead with Charlotte so she can see the grandchildren. Why, this time, does she want to stay with us?”
    Sophie glanced through the letter again. “Mama writes that with each passing year, my spinsterhood becomes a more and more serious concern to her, and she is sure the reason for my affliction—” Sophie paused and winced. “She makes it sound as ifI have a disease. My affliction is due to a lack of social activity. Because of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, she thinks this is the perfect time for her to supervise my social schedule. She is lengthening this visit to two months—what a dreadful prospect—and she has discussed her plans with Cousin Katherine already.” Sophie paused again and looked at Auntie in horror. “They want to take me out everywhere and introduce me to proper young gentlemen during Jubilee. Oh, Auntie, this is more than dreadful. It’s torture.”
    “Sophie, you have to expect your mother to do matchmaking on your behalf while she’s here. And, you know, dear,” she added gently, “you don’t really make much of an effort to meet any young men. I have often worried about you on that score myself.”
    “You have?”
    “Of course. But, unlike Agatha, I understand and appreciate your feelings in this matter. Charles meant a great deal to you, and his disgraceful and callous behavior—”
    “It wasn’t his fault,” Sophie interrupted. “What shall we do about Mama? She can’t stay with us. She’ll put the servants in a dither again. If they discover that she’s staying with us, they’ll probably resign.”
    “There are my meetings with the London Society for the Investigation of Psychic Phenomena to consider, as well. Your mother hates spiritualism. She’s so very High Church, you know, since she married Mr. Bedford, because he’s a vicar. Why, we won’t even be able to have a séance while she’s here. Something must be done.”
    Sophie was in complete agreement. Her mother’s personality was rather like a railway train,