As no doubt he was. That explanation might have sufficed in a Portsmouth inn, but Lisette doubted very much that any in London would believe Christian’s insistence in introducing her as such.
Her mouth firmed. ‘I am also—’
‘Lisette, no!’ Christian attempted to forestall her. ‘Let me—’
‘—Helene Rousseau’s illegitimate daughter.’ Lisette refused to be silenced, having no intention of attempting to hide her identity or deceive the gentleman now standing before her.
‘Good God...!’ Lord Maystone stared at her in astonishment.
‘I do not think God has, or ever had, any part in Helene Rousseau’s actions.’ Lisette wrinkled her nose disapprovingly. ‘I can only offer my most sincere regret for any hurt or discomfort she may have caused to you or your family.’
Lisette’s candour had completely overridden Christian’s own intention, of approaching the subject of Lisette’s identity as Helene Rousseau’s daughter wit
h caution. Indeed, he had been rendered momentarily speechless by Lisette’s disarming honesty.
As Worthing and Maystone were similarly struck, if the looks on those two gentlemen’s faces were any indication.
It was a candour which Christian should no doubt have taken into account when deciding upon his own plan of action in regard to revealing Lisette’s identity.
‘Bravo, Lisette.’ Worthing was the first to recover from his shock, as he gave her a gentle and appreciative clap. ‘She has the courage of ten men, Christian,’ he added admiringly.
‘It takes no courage at all to tell the truth, Your Grace.’ Lisette was the one to answer him ruefully.
‘It does, in my experience.’ Marcus grimaced.
‘And mine,’ Christian added softly, finding himself once again admiring and not a little in awe of Lisette’s determination to be truthful. Even if, in this case, he might have wished her to be a little less so. ‘I believe you may safely allow me to deal with any further explanations, Lisette—’
‘Helene Rousseau’s daughter!’ Maystone appeared to have recovered his voice, although he continued to stare at Lisette as if he had seen a ghost, seeming unaware that Lisette still held on to his hands.
‘Illegitimate daughter,’ Lisette corrected firmly.
‘I— But—’ Maystone gave a shake of his head as if to clear it. ‘Helene Rousseau does not have a daughter.’
‘I was as surprised as you obviously are when she claimed me as such only a few months ago,’ Lisette asserted regretfully. ‘You cannot know how much I have wished since that it was not the case,’ she added heavily.
Lisette had resisted that connection from the start. She also felt heartily ashamed of any part Helene might have played in the kidnapping of an innocent eight-year-old boy.
But, having now met Lord Maystone, Lisette felt a renewed anger towards the older woman. It was bad enough that Helene had abandoned her own child to be brought up by strangers, but Helene’s crime against Lord Maystone and his family, because of her political machinations—and a crime she had given no indication of caring about these past months—was truly unforgivable.
Lisette gave Lord Maystone’s hands an empathetic squeeze. ‘I can only apologise again and state how sorry I am for the pain and distress that has been caused to you and your family.’
‘Sutherland...?’
Christian had every sympathy with Maystone’s slightly dazed expression; Lisette had the same effect on him. Often. ‘It is quite true, I assure you,’ he confirmed. ‘But I also want you to know that I have brought Lisette to England with me for her own protection. Let me assure you she had no knowledge of or involvement in your grandson’s kidnapping,’ he added just as firmly.
‘I do not— This is—’ Maystone still seemed at a complete loss for words as he dropped down onto the upholstered window seat as the butler entered with the refreshments, none in the room speaking again until after that elderly gentleman had departed.
Lisette sat down on the seat next to Maystone. ‘Unfortunately, as I have found, my birthright does not become any easier to comprehend or accept with time.’
‘Would you care to do the honours, Lisette?’ Christian indicated the tea tray as a way of changing the subject and easing some of the tension in the room.
She gave him an impatient glance. ‘Could you see to it, Christian? Can you not see I am still busy attempting to commiserate with Lord Maystone?’
Christian heard Marcus’s guffaw of laughter behind him. Indeed, he had to bite the inside of his own cheeks to stop himself from laughing. Maystone appeared to still be suffering from the shock of Lisette’s earlier revelation, this latest social gaffe seeming to pass him by.
‘Did I say something amusing?’ Lisette frowned her irritation with Marcus’s laughter.
Marcus straightened in his seat, still grinning. ‘It is only—’