Araminta looked surprised before muttering, “I would only risk my happiness if I failed to hold him, Mother, and I’m cleverer than that.” Her smile did not reach her eyes and there was a strange note to her voice when she added, “Do not underestimate what I know of the world.”
“Neither your mother nor I would do such a thing.” There was still no sign of Lord Partington’s good humor. He put a heavy hand upon Hetty’s shoulder, adding, “Though we sometimes wish you were a little less worldly and more like your sister. Hetty will make a sensible match, for she will be ruled by her head, not her heart, and be the happier for it. Think on that, Araminta. I say, Hetty, you’re suddenly very pale.”
“I…I don’t know what’s come over me.” In fact, Hetty wondered if she’d survive the walk home. “I must lie down.”
“You look worse than Banquo’s ghost, Hetty!” Araminta exclaimed. “I don’t think you’ll be well enough for a ride in Sir Aubrey’s phaeton after all. Well, we should turn back now anyway since I must decide upon my carriage dress.”
Her self-absorbed chatter was the only bright note on their return journey. “I’d planned to wear this one for my promenade with Sir Aubrey but as he’s already seen it, I shall impress him in my coquelicot. This one is rather demure. What do you think, Hetty? Do you think Sir Aubrey is the kind of gentleman to prefer boldness or shall I in fact wear my simple sprigged muslin?”
“Oh, I wish you would, darling.” Her mother sighed. “You know, girls, Humphry, I’m afraid I really am not feeling quite the thing either. Hetty, perhaps you and I should both lie down when we return.”
“No doubt, my dear, you’ll be feeling well enough to entertain Cousin Stephen when he arrives to take Araminta.” Hetty noticed his odd tone. Lord Partington sent his wife a piercing look. “By all means, send a note ‘round to him. I’ve no doubt he will oblige. Meanwhile, I shall call on an acquaintance at the Inns of Court.”
“How nice, Humphry,” said Lady Partington gaily. “And yes, I’m sure I will be quite well enough to entertain Cousin Stephen. Hetty, we shall have a lovely coze while Jane sees that Araminta is as dazzling for Sir Aubrey as she needs to be.” She paused. “His family are respectable people but I am nevertheless concerned about these rumors, Hetty, unsubstantiated as they are. I heard Lord Nugent say that Sir Aubrey’s political aspirations have gained no traction on account of this smear upon his name. Araminta, are you certain you wish to further your acquaintance with the gentleman when there are so many others dangling after you?”
“Oh, I do.” Araminta leveled a determined gaze upon Hetty, who thought she was going to be ill on the spot.
What could she do? Her worst nightmare was being compounded by her second worst nightmare. Sir Aubrey had discovered her real identity and now Araminta was about to focus the full force of her determined charm upon him. Hetty hadn’t a hope. If, as was remotely possible, he offered for her out of honor for having defiled her, he’d despise her forevermore. But, as was more likely, he would be as most men and wilt before Araminta’s deadly charm, the moment Hetty reminded him he was not to blame for her deception.
Later, as she worked at her embroidery, she went over her options. She wished she could pour out everything to her mother, who sat beside her stitching a tiny garment for her new baby. Lady Partington, however, seemed not in the mood for conversation, though she rallied surprisingly when Cousin Stephen joined them.
“You’re early.” She smiled warmly. “Araminta will not be
down for a while yet. You know how she is when she wants to impress, and indeed, she wishes to impress Sir Aubrey. Won’t you have some tea?”
Cousin Stephen waved away her attempts at playing hostess, rather like a mother hen, Hetty thought. “The teapot is heavy and leaning over like that isn’t good in your condition, Lady Sybil.” When he saw Hetty’s look he added somewhat sheepishly, “I’m forever in your mother’s debt. I would so hate to see her come to harm on my account.”
“Pouring tea?”
Clearing his voice, Stephen changed the subject. “I’m also reluctant to countenance this carriage ride. Araminta should not embroil herself with Sir Aubrey given his reputation. Who knows what she’ll get up to when she has him alone in his phaeton.” He grinned at Hetty. “You, I am not worried about. Hetty, are you sure you’re not well enough to accompany your sister after all?”
Hetty sighed. “I’ll go.”
It was in this mood of resigned despair that she changed her own dress, barely conscious of what Jane laid out for her, her mind roiling with confusion.
Nothing was as it seemed. Her father apparently teetered on the verge of ruin. She was burdened by a terrible secret. And her mother and cousin seemed suddenly far too fond of one another.
Jane put her head around the door, her expression sympathetic. “Miss Hetty, you are poorly, aren’t you? Let me fetch you something.”
Hetty shook her head as she sank onto the dressing table stool. “Just brush my hair, please, Jane. You have such a soothing touch.”
“That’s nicer than what your sister can come up with, miss, when she wants cosseting.”
No doubt Araminta had offended Jane once again.
Jane picked up the brush. “I wish Miss Araminta would stay clear of that fearful Sir Aubrey.”
Hetty took the plunge. “He’s a gentleman, a good man, Jane, and I intend to furnish proof that your Jem’s master, Lord Debenham, has made it his mission to blacken Sir Aubrey’s reputation by falsifying his account of what was in Lady Margaret’s death letter.” She turned when Jane’s brush strokes faltered, saying eagerly, “Jem promised to show me the letter when we arranged to meet.”
“Oh miss!” Jane dropped the brush and clapped her hand to her mouth. “You never said anything to him, did ye? Oh, miss, now he’ll know it were me what told his secret. He won’t ever forgive me.” When she began to cry, Hetty didn’t know what to do. She felt guilty for Jane’s distress yet fired with the zeal that justice would serve them all in the end.
“It’s all right, Jane,” she reassured her. “I told him he’d be handsomely rewarded. And he shall be.”
“He’s guilty of a crime and now he’ll pay for it.” Jane was sobbing now. “And I’ll pay for it too. I swore I’d say nuffink to no one but then when I heard you and Miss Araminta talking I couldn’t stay silent.” She let out her breath in a whoosh of reproach. “Oh, Miss Hetty, I wish you hadn’t told him.”
Hetty couldn’t meet her eye. She prayed Jane and Jem would not be added to her growing list of regrets.
“Please lay out my new muslin, Jane. I shan’t save it for tomorrow afternoon’s musical soiree as I’d planned.”