An Enigmatic Woman: A Historical Romance Mystery by Sarah F. Noel

Author:Sarah F. Noel [Noel, Sarah F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Although they had not yet outlined a plan, the one thing Tabitha, Wolf, and the dowager could agree on was that they needed all the manpower they could muster. It was already late afternoon. Nevertheless, Wolf telephoned Langley House to see if there was any way Bear and Langley could return to Anglesey that night.

After a brief conversation, Wolf reported Langley feared they might have missed the last train that would take them directly to Holyhead. However, he believed they could catch a later train to a larger town and then hire a carriage. Either way, they would do their best to arrive that evening, however late.

“He is sending a messenger to Tuchinsky to ask her to telegram any news. He will also telephone Sir Thomas and request that he call here if he learns anything,” Wolf explained.

They all silently gave thanks for the willingness of their friends to make the long journey for the third time in as many days.

Tabitha wanted nothing more than to send her apologies to Pippy and forgo that evening’s entertainment. They needed to make a plan, and she felt they didn’t have time to waste on such trivialities.

“I understand how you feel, but this is clearly important to Pippy and the empress,” Wolf said gently. “Whatever plan we come up with, we are going to need some measure of cooperation from both of them. Let us not put that in jeopardy by denying them their hearts’ desire this evening.”

Tabitha knew Wolf was right, yet this didn’t make her feel any less trepidation at the thought of the performance that evening.

Pippy had suggested they have a light meal before their audience arrived for the performance, followed by a warm supper afterwards. Tabitha was so nervous that she wasn’t sure she could stomach any food.

The one concession Tabitha had agreed to regarding a costume was to wear colours that acknowledged the Hungarian flag: red, white, and green. In a brief conference with Ginny, she had tasked her maid with honouring this promise in the least garish way possible.

At the same time, Ginny had informed her that she, Thompson, and the dowager’s lady’s maid, Withers, were invited to watch the performance that evening.

While Tabitha had made peace with Pippy’s staff being in the audience, she was quite taken aback by the thought of her own servants watching her sing.

Ginny noticed her reaction. “We do not have to attend, milady.”

“No, no. I am just being silly. You deserve an evening of entertainment as much as anyone, Ginny. Only…” she trailed off.

“Do not worry. We will all be cheering you on. I have heard you sing in the bath, and you have a lovely voice.”

Tabitha was sure Ginny was just being nice, but even so, she felt somewhat better about the ordeal ahead of her. However, it was only a little better. Tabitha had always hated when her mother paraded her and her sisters out to perform for guests. One of the few positive aspects of being married to Jonathan was that he had no interest in his wife performing in public.

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