Mistress of Scandal (Greentree Sisters 3)

“I think that will do for today,” Amy was saying. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about those other silk stockings, Helen?”

“No, I think I will leave them, Amy. Toby is certain to make a fuss if I buy more than one pair.”

“If Toby can find the money for a dentist who uses ether, then you can certainly have more than one pair of stockings!” Amy retorted sharply.

“Amy, he’s not as bad as you think.”

“He is, Helen.” Amy must have been tired, to have said such a thing. Usually she displayed more tact.

Helen chewed her lip, giving her sister a guilty glance. “I know he’s not perfect,” she said tentatively, “but I haven’t always been the perfect wife, either.”

“Nonsense,” Amy retorted, still with less than her usual discretion. “You are far too good for him, Helen. He is a fortunate man to have you.”

Helen’s eyes widened and, to Francesca’s horror, filled with tears. “You don’t understand. I’ve been a very bad wife to Toby. I don’t know how he puts up with me.”

“Helen?” Amy gasped, as shocked as Francesca. “What do you mean?”

Helen had a hectic flush in her cheeks. “It was years ago,” she murmured, fanning herself with her hand, “and I promised I would never speak of it, so I’m afraid I cannot.”

“Promised Toby?” Amy asked, bewildered. “What are you talking about?”

“Toby and William,” Helen said, and then shook her head and closed her lips firmly, as if she had said too much.

“You really are infuriating, Helen.” Amy sighed. “And no matter what you say, I shall never believe you have done anything bad.”

But Helen didn’t answer her, and the journey back to the Russell house in Queen’s Square seemed an anticlimax after the excitement of the day.

“I wonder what on earth Helen believes she did that was so terrible she must never speak of it,”

Amy mused later, when they were alone in the carriage. “I thought running off with Toby was the worst mistake she could have made.”

“If Uncle William knows and has sworn her to silence, then it must be scandalous.”

“Yes,” Amy murmured. She rested her hand over her eyes, as if it was suddenly all too much for her.

Francesca reached to touch her arm. “You have a headache, Mama. Why don’t you go up and take a rest before supper? I’m sure Mrs. March won’t mind holding back the meal.”

Amy spread her fingers and gave her a droll look.

Francesca laughed, and at that moment she happened to glance out of the window. The carriage had become snarled in a traffic jam between a cart and an omnibus. No wonder so many people preferred to walk, she was thinking; it was far quicker. And then he was there, the man with the sandy hair. He was standing on the corner opposite them, and he was staring at their carriage.

There could be no mistake this time. He was following her, watching her. Pursuing her. Francesca knew this was too important and too dangerous for her to take matters into her own hands. Besides, what would she do? She needed help from someone who was familiar with the dangerous and turbulent world she seemed to have entered. Someone who fit in perfectly.

She needed Sebastian.

Chapter 16

As soon as Amy had gone upstairs to rest, Francesca went in search of Lil.

“How is Rosie?”

“She’s havin’ a lovely time,” Lil said with a smile. “Madame’s girls are all spoilin’ her rotten.” Her expression turned anxious. “You don’t think that her aunt can take her back, do you? After what she did, trying to sell her?”

“Has Rosie asked for her?”

“No, not once.”

“Then I don’t think we should worry about it. The aunt obviously is not a suitable person to care for a child. Rosie is better off with us.” She paused before she went on. “Lil, have you seen anyone around the club who is acting suspiciously?”