Sarah thanked the footman and placed the first edition Pride and Prejudice back on the library shelf. “Can you bring in some tea, please?” she said, and smiled as Anita bounded into the room, her fingers busy pulling off her gloves. “Sarah, what news I have for you! You will never guess.” Anita flopped on to the settee and patted the chair. Sarah laughed and sat. “Since I’m new to town, I should imagine not. Tell me what has you in such a good mood.” “I have just come from Lord Earnston’s home. It seems, my dear, that he has had word the person believed to have caused the death of Lord William is back in London. Last eve at the Cottlestone ball, her ladyship alleged her upstairs parlor had been trifled with. That someone seemed to have been looking about.” Sarah stared wide-eyed at her friend and felt all the blood drain from her face. She swallowed the bile that threatened.
