The magnitude of what she’d learned just now was too much for Hetty. “You are so unkind, Araminta,” she declared, grasping her skirts as she made for the door. “I have no interest in Lord Debenham.”
“That’s as well.” Araminta returned her attention to her reflection. “I’ve heard he’s a very dangerous gentleman. Just like Sir Aubrey. Best to steer clear of them both.”
Hetty hesitated by the door. She didn’t want to know what this Jem might have to say about Sir Aubrey, for she’d not believe it. Sir Aubrey was kind and gentle and passionate, all at the same time. He’d stroked and kissed her, made her feel fiercely desired then looked at her with a fondness that could not be feigned.
However, the possibility she’d felt earlier that she could in fact inveigle Sir Aubrey into some kind of legitimate union lay in shreds if Araminta was serious about making him a conquest.
She faced her sister fiercely, determined for once to have the last word. “Not if I’m to keep an eye on you, Araminta, and see you don’t do something rash.”
“I suppose you must find something entertaining with which to occupy yourself while you wait to be asked to stand up to dance.”
Hetty nearly collided with the door as it was opened and the measured voice of her beloved mother resonated through the tense atmosphere.
“Why, Hetty, you look beautiful—though a little flushed.”
Hetty flung herself into her arms, making the most of the brief comfort afforded by Lady Partington’s embrace before she was set aside, her mother’s affection now tempered with justified suspicion as to her elder daughter’s behavior. “I hope you’ve not been suggesting to Hetty she won’t be every bit as successful as you, Araminta.” Lady Partington’s gentle face was almost forbidding. “Hetty’s kind and sweet nature count for a great deal when a gentleman weighs up all factors pertaining to the long future he must share with the woman he chooses for his wife.”
Hetty wished she’d included something that alluded to Hetty’s improved looks.
Her sister, now sitting on the edge of the bed, showed no sign of contrition. “I was only cautioning Hetty as it appears she’s set her cap at Lord Debenham.” Araminta’s smile became cloying. “Without being unkind, Lord Debenham is quite simply out of her league, just as Sir Aubrey is—and besides, Sir Aubrey has made his interest in me clear so I’d hate to see Hetty wounded or, worse, regarded as a failure by the end of the season. If Hetty would only consider Mr. Woking—”
“Will you desist from this idea that I would consent in a thousand years to accept an offer from Mr. Woking?” Hetty cried, stamping her foot.
Araminta stopped with a look of exaggerated surprised before giving a couple desultory claps. “Bravo, Hetty. So you are capable of a spark of passion. Perh
aps there’s hope yet.”
“Enough, girls!” Lady Partington stepped into the center of the room, holding one hand up for silence as if the girls were squabbling infants. “Pray tell me more, Araminta. Are you interested in this Sir Aubrey about whom I hear such unsavory rumors?”
Araminta displayed her pretty white teeth in a most ingenuous smile. “Mama, you’ve told me never to take rumor for the truth else half the ton’s reputation would be in tatters. Why, if an otherwise eligible gentleman is considered unsuitable purely on account of a rumor, closer association must be the final arbiter.” She cleared her throat delicately. “Certainly it must be in the absence of evidence to convict.”
A small gasp escaped Jane and Lady Partington swung ’round. “And what do you know about all this, Jane?” she demanded.
Miserably, Jane toyed with the now-cold curling tongs. “I know the young man wot’s valet to Lord Debenham, ma’am, and he said summat that made me afeared o’ Sir Aubrey.”
Hetty held her breath and hoped her expression didn’t give her away as Jane went on. “Afeared of Lord Debenham too, only I weren’t sure if I should say, seeing as how Miss Araminta is so taken.”
“Well, that’s dropping me in it!” Araminta hissed as she rose and took a turn about the room.
Hetty struggled to keep her expression bland as her mind whirled with possibilities. It could not be true. Sir Aubrey had explained everything.
She heaved in a breath, forcing herself to hold on to the conviction that Sir Aubrey had been unfairly maligned. The alternative was too awful to contemplate. She could not risk losing herself to a villain, a reprobate.
The trouble was, she acknowledged with a little moan she tried to stifle, she already had.
Lady Partington arranged the folds of her dress around her as she lowered herself carefully onto the bed, stroking her large belly. “In the interests of my daughters’ welfare, Jane, I must ask you to tell us everything you know.” Concern furrowed her brow, replacing the fond maternal look she usually affected at such times. “You have my word there will be no repercussions for you or for your young man.”
Jane nodded, opened her mouth to speak then, clearly reconsidering, said in a panicked voice, “Jem made me swear I’d tell no one. He said it could cost him his job. Nay, his life, even, if his secret got out.”
Even Araminta showed surprise but Lady Partington was calm as she repeated, “Tell us now, please, Jane. You have all our assurances that no sources will be revealed.”
Jane sniffed, shifted from one foot to the other, then finally said in a low voice, “Jem’s bin valet to Debenham from the time ‘e came back from the Far East, where he worked for the powerful East India Tradin’ Company.” Staring at her feet, she shook her head. “I don’t know nothing of the East India Tradin’ Company but I do know Lady Margaret’s brother also worked for the East India Tradin’ Company and that he were accused of something fearful, and that Lord Debenham and Lady Margaret were afeared what were goin’ to happen to him.” She rubbed her eyes with her knuckles.
“Where, exactly, does Sir Aubrey come into all this?” Lady Partington prompted gently.
“Well, m’lady, the story’s this. When Sir Aubrey went away, his wife, Lady Margaret decided to visit her brother Master James, who were now living back in England. And it so happened that Lord Debenham also were visiting, cousins as they all were.”
Hetty narrowed her eyes. His Lordship’s visit had, according to Sir Aubrey’s account, been anything but innocent. If this was the version put about by Jane’s young man it didn’t sound as if the truth were about to emerge.