The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

“The investigator believes she might have been poisoned,” Tessa said softly.

“Oh no,” her mother mumbled before looking over at her. “And how do you know what the investigator thinks?”

“He paid me a visit at five this morning.” She relayed most of the story, leaving out the part about Jack being there too.

Her mother clasped her hand over her mouth in horror. “I shall never get Louisa and Emma married off now,” she moaned as she moved her hand to her forehead.

And that would be her mother’s first thought. Tessa pressed her lips. How she wished her mother cared for her as she did her damned reputation. “There is nothing to this as you well know. Besides Sabita did not eat or drink while in my home. Langport can attest to that so there is nothing to worry about.”

“Except, as you should know all too well, gossips don’t care about the truth.”

Tessa nodded.

“Enough of all this dreadful talk. What are you doing with this Mr. Raynerson?”

For a few moments, Tessa had thought she might be able to evade that particular discussion. “Mamma, I do not involve myself in your affairs with his lordship, so I don’t believe you should delve into my affair with Mr. Raynerson.”

“Theresa Marie, I am your mother!”

“And while I am a widow, you are not,” she whispered harshly in case her sisters were listening. “Therefore, if either of us has a right to take a lover, it would be me.”

Her mother’s lips pursed in distaste but she remained silent for a few moments. “I see,” she finally replied. “There is another issue I need to speak to you about of far greater importance.”

More important than marrying her sisters off? “What is it?”

“I had a letter from Mr. Chatsworth’s office in Cornwall. He said your father’s debt will be paid off with two more payments.”

“Already?” Two more payments. Tessa head spun with the idea of what all that meant. If he came to London, everyone would learn of their deception. Louisa and Emma would never have a chance for marriage. “What are you going to do?”

“Me?” she asked with a tinge of shock in her voice. “You are the one making the payments.”

“But I am not the one pretending to be a widow. And there are Louisa and Emma to think of and how this will impact their lives.”

As much as she hated all the lies, Louisa and Emma might be devastated to discover their father still alive, but Tessa believed they had a right to know. Many times, she had this discussion with her mother, but now was the time to press the issue. “It is time to tell them.”

“How can I after all this time?” her mother cried. “I only wanted to protect them.”

“They are both adults now. I think they will understand why you wanted to protect them, but he is their father. They have a right to see him if they so choose.” Tessa rose and paced the room. “And he might wish to see them. Emma was only twelve when the lies started, he wouldn’t even recognize her now.”

“He lost the right to see them when he embezzled that money.”

Tessa stopped her stride and stared at her mother. “He did that for you! He loved you and wanted to please you.”

“No, he did it for you.” Her mother crossed her arms over her chest.

“I never cared about having a Season, Mamma. I told you that many times before you started planning it.” She couldn’t believe her mother was bringing up this topic again after all these years. Her mother had forced the issue of a Season with her and her father. Still, Papa had been a fool to let Mamma make plans when they hadn’t the money.

“You needed a husband from good Society. Not something you would find in Cornwall. I wanted the best for you.”

“I understand, but I doubt this is how you expected my life to turn out. It certainly isn’t what I wanted. I’m twenty-five and have been widowed three times and now have no prospects for finding a man who will love me, marry me and give me the children I so desire.” She had never said that aloud to anyone, save Jack.

Her mother wiped away a tear. “Don’t you think I know that, Tessa? That is why I can’t allow him back here. I will write to him and tell him we will not make the last two payments unless he agrees to stay away from London and us.”

Tessa was done trying to reason with her mother. As much as she’d tried over the years, her mother had never listened to her. “Do as you like, Mamma, but Louisa and Emma have a right to know. I will take my leave now.”

“Do not mention this to your sisters,” she warned.

“Heaven forbid they discover the truth,” Tessa muttered as she closed the door. She walked down the steps as Louisa and Emma rushed inside. “Where have you two been?”