Chapter 19

Lady Jane Bucknum, a well-known society matron, visited a friend the next morning to ask why she had been told to visit Eleanor the night before. Her friendship with Mary had been cultivated over long years over their close association in political circles and common efforts as hostesses. "Eleanor was having a friendly family dinner last night." Jane said. "Relations from the north. It was most inappropriate for me to be dropping in like that, but I tried."

"I appreciate your effort, Jane. Really, I do. I heard a rumor that our Lady Katharine and Earl McCollum were to be married last night in a quiet parlor wedding. I could not let you miss such a delicious event. Not after all you have done for the girl over the years," Mary said.

"Oh, you are such a good friend. I wouldn't want to have missed that. But I assure you, Eleanor would have invited me if that were the case. No chance she would have left me out. Where did you hear such a thing?"

"Oh, the day before yesterday, I was having tea with one of the better gossips. She told me. Now that we know she was wrong, I suppose I should save her reputation and keep it to myself." Mary set her cup down. "Odd, she is so rarely wrong. But do you think she just got the date wrong? After all, the Earl came all this way. You don't suppose they really will get married here before leaving, do you?"

They spent the rest of their visit speculating on when the nuptials would actually take place, and considered what the best wedding presents would be and Mary's spiriting off to Italy.

Lady Jane Buchnum had not been back home ten minutes when unexpected callers knocked at her door. Of all combinations, Lady Eleanor with Phileas Fogg had been shown into her morning room. She greeted them and offered them some of her morning tea and sweet rolls. Thinking Eleanor must still think her late evening visit odd, Lady Jane offered Fessed up, telling her about the mistaken rumor.

"Where would your friend have gotten such an idea?" Eleanor said. "The young people are indeed within moments of announcing their engagement, but a ceremony of that sort? No, no." Eleanor shook her head, laughing. "The mutiny within the family at being left out of such a long-awaited event would get me hung."

"Oh, she did not tell me directly," Lady Jane explained. "She is very interested in your niece… has been for many years." She looked over at Phileas. "When Eleanor was trying to get you together with Katharine, she was so very helpful in making suggestions. She even helped to sponsor Katharine's come out."

"Yes, I knew you had some of your friends help bring her in. You never told me who they were," Eleanor said.

"Well, some of these people don't like attention drawn to themselves. It is not good for them to show favoritism, you understand."

"I see," Eleanor replied. She did indeed know some people that would apply to. High placed society members such as the Queen's closer relations and certain government officials would have to watch against that sort of thing. Lady Jane was connected to such people and couldn't divulge them. This did not help them, but nothing more could be asked.

Phileas Fogg, sitting in on the older ladies' discussion, kept his peace as well. He had never liked dealing with London society on this level. It was worse than the great game. The rules, confidences, little traditions, and orchestrations were maddening. When Lady Bucknum mentioned what level their quarry was on, his blood went cold. Even he knew they could ask more, but was sorely tempted to exercise agency privilege to demand answers.

Of course, I am not in the service anymore; and invoking such demands will require Chatsworth's direct involvement. Would that political parasite take the chance on his career to make such a bold request?

The three made small talk for a time, trading pleasantries, and Eleanor and Phileas departed.