Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

T ogether, they stepped back into the house, hoping CeCe had managed to disperse Lady Beatrice post haste. Minnie's thoughts where awhirl as she thought about how she would face the ton now that word was guaranteed to spread regarding her part in the scandalous letters.

"We'll ask your sister for guidance before we attend Lady Sebring's ball tonight," Whitehall suggested.

"Are you certain she will be able to aid us?" Minnie asked.

"Miss Dixon possesses not only the wit but the influence we require," Whitehall reassured her. "She'll know just what to say."

"Yet we must tread lightly," Minnie cautioned, the ringlets around her face swaying gently as she moved. "One wrong word could spell disaster."

Whitehall shook his head, his eyes reflecting the determination that matched hers. "Nothing will drive me away from your side, my dear. All I hope for is to restore your name sooner rather than later."

They found CeCe sitting in the drawing room, thankfully alone as she read a book.

"CeCe," Minnie called out.

Her sister turned, the green of her eyes sparking with curiosity. "I just had the most curious conversation with Lady Beatrice," she said, setting aside her book.

"I can well imagine," Whitehall said. "That leads us to beg your assistance."

"How may I be of service?" CeCe inquired.

Minnie sat beside her on the settee, white Whitehall stood opposite them.

"CeCe," Minnie began, "we must act swiftly to prevent the damaging of Whitehall's good name."

Whitehall frowned, his expression a mirror of Minnie's earnest plea. "It is Miss Minerva's name we must guard. Miss Sinclair's machinations have cast a shadow upon us both," he added.

"Then I have the right of it? Miss Sinclair instigated the prank, Minnie wrote the letters, and clearly you two have fallen in love in spite of it all."

The marquess looked at Minnie for a moment, surprise on his features as if he didn't realize how obvious their affection was, then met CeCe's gaze. "Yes, that sums it up."

"We shall weave a story so compelling that it will captivate the ton," CeCe proposed. "The tale of a jest turned to genuine affection will tug at their heartstrings and rally them to our cause. It doesn't hurt that it is Minnie you care for, not Miss Sinclair. It adds a touch of irony."

Minnie's lips curved in a tentative smile, a flicker of hope igniting inside her.

Whitehall's posture eased, and he glanced from one sister to the other. "How will this play out?"

"You will arrive with us at the ball tonight. You may pick us up in your carriage so we'll make a grand entrance together," CeCe said. "The two of you will be as if nothing is amiss, just a couple in the early bloom of love."

Minnie's cheeks heated and she stole a glance at Whitehall. All this mention of love was so sudden, even though she'd professed it in her letters. Had he even spoken the word to her? Surely, she'd remember if he had.

"I will tell my version of your story to a few key matrons, and by the end of the evening, all of London will be in love with you both," CeCe finished.

Whitehall nodded. "It sounds as though your plan should work."

"Of course it will work," Minnie said. "My sister is a magician when it comes to confronting Polite Society."

CeCe glowed, her smile wide. "I did have a moment or two of magic on my way to becoming engaged to Lord Stavely."

"I have a few calls to make before the ball tonight, so I shall take my leave. Thank you, Miss Dixon, for your help and understanding. And Miss Minerva, thank you for your heart." With a quick nod, Whitehall left.

* * *

As Lord Whitehall's carriage sat in the line waiting to draw close enough to Lady Featherstone's home for the passengers to disembark, CeCe reminded everyone of the plan for the evening. "You all know with whom you must speak. Mother, your friends will spread the word quickly. Bella, you will answer anyone who asks, telling them some variation of what we agreed upon. And Minnie, you and Whitehall will portray a couple unaware of any distraction from your focus on each other."

Everyone nodded as their names and rolls were announced.

"And I shall search out the most notorious gossips in attendance," CeCe added, "and let them do their best tattling."

Minnie's tension eased a bit. Looking across the carriage at Whitehall, she found his gaze on her. His smiled warmed her. "I can't thank you all enough for this."

Whitehall looked from one lady to the next as he spoke. "I have spoken to my friends, declaring how happy I am with Miss Minerva, and asked my mother to share her excitement for me with her friends. I honestly think many of those in attendance tonight will have heard."

Mother smiled warmly at everyone. "If you think I've withheld the news of my Minnie catching the eye of a marquess, you may think again."

Whitehall laughed, then stepped down from the carriage when his groom opened the door. One by one he handed the Dixon ladies down.

Once they reached the ballroom, CeCe led the way, her posture impeccable as she navigated the crowded room. Minnie followed with Whitehall at her side, her mind awhirl with plots and possibilities. They paused here and there, mingling with clusters of guests, laughter tinkling like crystal in the air.

"Remember, we weave a tale of love triumphant," Whitehall whispered, leaning close to her ear to be heard over the music. "Let no hint of desperation color our narrative."

Minnie shivered as his breath tickled her ear, and she grinned, uncaring who was watching them. "Truth needs no embellishment."

CeCe stopped nearby, where Lady Harrowgate conversed with a pair of matrons. "Dearest Lady Harrowgate, might I steal a moment of your esteemed company?"

The matron turned, her eyes bright with curiosity. "My dear Miss Dixon, what brings you to seek this old lady amidst such youthful revelry?"

"An affair of the heart, one which beckons for your wisdom and benevolence," CeCe confided, her hand pressed to her heart.

"Ah," Lady Harrowgate said, a knowing smile playing upon her lips. "Speak on, my child. Love's endeavors have always found an ally in me."

Minnie watched her sister in awe. She had difficulty conversing at gatherings such as this, but CeCe obviously had no such qualms, thank goodness. In no time at all, the story was told and the three matrons were smiling at the sweetness of the tale.

Following her sister to the next matron of choice, Minnie hung back close enough to hear but not be seen by the woman in question.

"Dearest Countess Langford," CeCe began, her voice honeyed and smooth as she addressed the venerable lady draped in pearls, "might I entreat you with a tale most romantic?"

"Is it exciting?" the countess replied, her interest piqued as she leaned closer. "Pray, do tell."

"Imagine, if you will, a love blossoming from the most unexpected of seeds. A jest turned genuine, hearts entwined amidst a flurry of anonymous missives." CeCe spread her hand below her throat in dramatic appeal.

Minnie and Whitehall exchanged a glance, their strategy unfolding as rehearsed, the narrative a delicate dance between fact and discretion. As much as Minnie would rather be anywhere else, it calmed her somewhat to hear her story being told.

"Such romance!" the countess exclaimed, her eyes alight with the thrill of the story. "And who, my dears, are the subjects of this tender saga?"

"Alas," CeCe sighed, feigning reluctance, "we mustn't reveal too much, lest we fan the flames of idle gossip. Yet rest assured, the truth shall prevail, and love shall triumph."

The countess nodded, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "Fear not, I shall be a bastion of discretion. But such a tale cannot remain shrouded in mystery forever."

"It cannot," CeCe agreed. "And when the time comes, society shall bear witness to a love both pure and triumphant." With that, she withdrew from the conversation, leaving the countess abuzz with anticipation.

Later, in the dim light of an alcove, away from the glittering chandeliers and the murmur of the ballroom, Whitehall, Minnie, and CeCe huddled in clandestine conference. The evening had unfurled its hours like a tapestry woven with hope and strategy; now they gathered to trace the patterns that emerged.

"Whispers have begun to take flight," CeCe declared, her demeanor gleaming with the success of their delicate endeavor. "The countess was quite taken with our tale—she will prove an invaluable ally."

"Her influence is not to be underestimated, and she seemed most eager to champion our cause," Minnie said.

Whitehall nodded. "I heard Miss Sinclair's name mentioned as I passed one group. Perhaps her share in the plot will be known."

"None of us should speak her name," Minnie said. "If she is blamed for wanting to trick Whitehall, it won't be our doing."

The smile that spread on Whitehall's face gave Minnie goose flesh. He said, "You are such a beautiful woman. I'm so proud to have you at my side."

Minnie felt she must be glowing under his words. How had she gotten so lucky? She never would have guessed her dreams could become real.

Still, they needed to make certain no one said anything about Whitehall being a victim of a scandal, or whatever the on dits might say. "Tomorrow, we should visit Lady Hathaway. Her at-home hour is always teeming with the important members of Society."

"An excellent notion," Whitehall concurred. "Lady Hathaway's word carries more weight than a duke's purse. She could sway the most skeptical of minds."

"Then it is settled," CeCe affirmed, then raised her hand to cover a yawn. "We shall continue to lay our groundwork, piece by careful piece."

The threesome decided they'd accomplished as much as possible in one evening, and split up to find Bella and Mrs. Dixon so they could return home.

As she climbed into bed later, Minnie reflected again on how lucky she was. She'd seen what love looked like when she watched CeCe and Stavely, but she'd never imagined how magical it would feel. There was nothing better she could imagine.