Page 88 of A Mismatch Made in London

“It’s worth the risk, I think,” Juliet said, “as I do think your aunt would be unlikely to spread anything about me.”

So the second day I was in London, we went to call on Mrs. Kendall.

“My dears!” she cried when we arrived. “You are both looking very pretty. And pray tell, what is the date of your future weddings?”

I thought I noticed a bit of apprehension on her face when she asked that question.

“Mr. Beaumont and I have not set a date yet,” I said.

“And Mr. Shelley and I will be married very soon,” Juliet said with a rather fake smile.

We sat and Mrs. Kendall began to talk of balls and engagements she had heard about. Tea things were brought, and while we waited for Mrs. Kendall to serve the tea, I began as Juliet and I had agreed.

“Aunt Kendall,” I said, “have you been hearing any ridiculous rumors about Juliet? I only ask because Miss Snowden, who we all know as a genteel and respectable young lady, came to Juliet a few days ago and said that there were rumors spreading, rumors about Juliet and—”

“And Mr. Fairweather.” Mrs. Kendall’s cheerful smile was gone and her forehead creased. “Yes, I have heard them as well. I told the gossips that they were not true and not to spread such lies about a dear, sweet girl like Juliet Beaumont.”

“Who told you?” I asked.

“Mrs. Roberts wrote to me, and also, Mrs. Sugarbaker whispered it to me at last night’s ball given by Lady Swinburne.”

“Do you happen to know from whom they heard it?”

“I don’t, but ... let me see, I have Mrs. Roberts’s letter over here.” Mrs. Kendall fetched the letter from a drawer and put on her spectacles to read it. “Yes, here it is. She writes that she heard it from a Mrs. Churchill, and Mrs. Churchill heard it from a lady who lives in Mr. Fairweather’s parish.”

“It seems the gossip is likely coming from Mr. Fairweather,” I said.

“Did you say he lives in Shropshire?” Mrs. Kendall asked.

“Yes.”

“Mrs. Roberts also lives in Shropshire.”

“I believe that is where Jeremy is.” Juliet looked at me.

“What is he doing there?” Mrs. Kendall asked.

I suddenly wondered if we were doing the right thing in speaking to Mrs. Kendall about this. Could she keep a secret?

“Aunt, please do not tell another soul anything we’ve said to you about any of this,” I said.

“Oh, no, I listen to a lot of gossip, but I will not speak a word about any of this. Miss Beaumont’s reputation is at stake, and I know that good Mr. Jeremy Beaumont is doing his utmost to keep this quiet. No doubt he will succeed. I will not breathe a word of it, you have my word.”

“Yes, Mr. Beaumont is doing his best,” I said. “He is trying to put a stop to this vicious gossip about his sister. He will find Mr. Fairweather and confront him, and he will impress upon him in whatever ways necessary to stop telling lies about our dear Juliet.”

“Oh, yes. I have no doubt in Mr. Beaumont, no doubt at all that he can and will do as he intends. Never you worry, Miss Beaumont. You have an excellent brother, and he will do it. He will.”

“Thank you,” Juliet said.

“And how are Mr. Kendall and Algernon? In good health, I trust?”

“Oh, yes, very well.”

Mrs. Kendall regaled us with Mr. Kendall’s faithful service in Parliament, as well as Algernon’s sturdy constitution and how he was never sick or in ill health. We sipped our tea and ate cake and tarts, sipped a second cup of tea, then bid Mrs. Kendall farewell.

“And don’t you worry. I am mum about the gossip, and if anyone else says anything, anything at all about Miss Juliet, I will tell them that it is untrue and that Christian ladies do not spread lies about good people.”

“Thank you very much, Aunt. You are very good.”