“Will you walk with me to the ha-ha?” She waved toward the steep grassy step at the end of the front lawn that dropped down to the beautiful Capability Brown gardens. “I would not wish to be overheard.”

“Of course,” I said.

We changed direction to walk across the wet grass, our backs now to the hall and anyone looking out a window. Although it was barely four o’clock, the night chill had already arrived and the gray daylight was giving way to impending dusk. If we were to traipse across the landscape, I wished I had thrown on more than a shawl.

“This is a rather delicate subject,” the Ermine said, glancing up at me. “I know you are very good friends with dear Charlotte. Perhaps I should start by asking if you are aware of a man by the name of Edward Harley.”

I could not help a jolt of surprise. Harley had been Charlotte’s lover; he had stolen her letters and, in a way, started this whole adventure.

“Ah, I see you are,” the Ermine murmured. “Then perhaps you also know that he was her paramour?”

“Did she tell you about him?” I asked. I could not conceive of Charlotte telling Emelia Ellis-Brant about anything, let alone her dalliances.

“Lud, no. But I have eyes in my head, Lady Augusta. I could see what was going on.” She paused for my comment, but since I had none, she continued. “I told him he was a cur and should take himself off, and I think my words had an effect, for he retreated to Bath soon after.”

“I see,” I said, biting my lip. I rather thought the rock I had slammed into his nethers had effected his hasty retreat a good deal more than her censure.

“I know Charlotte is a great lady, and such sordid associations are not uncommon among the—” She stopped, realizing she was about to criticize my own rank. “Anyway, she does not seem to have learned her lesson. I think she has installed another of her inappropriate associations here, at the hall.”

“Really? Who?”

“Mr. Talbot, of course.”

I stopped walking, my arm dropping from her hold. “You think Mr. Talbot is Charlotte’s lover?”

“Lover—dear me, you do not mince words, Lady Augusta. Yes, I do. I have seen them in close conference together. He is clearly not here to study rare books; just look at the man, all brawn and muscle and too charming by far. Besides, there is something inherently untrustworthy about him. Do you not agree? Mr. Harley had the same slippery charm. She must be attracted to such dangerous jackanapeses.”

I stared at her, trying not to bristle at the comparison between Evan and the detestable Mr. Harley. “You think Mr. Talbot is untrustworthy?”

“I do, indeed. He may be a gentleman, but he is not being truthful. And neither is Charlotte.”

Well, she was right about that.