“I saw the way Lord Warwicke looks at you. That is not a man who is indifferent towards you.”
Dorothea’s throat tightened. “You’re mistaken,” she said briskly. “Whatever you saw, it was not affection. He doesn’t want me.”
Tabitha opened her mouth, but closed it again just as quickly. She gave a small nod instead. “Of course, my lady. Perhaps I misspoke.”
Dorothea walked towards the door. “Would you send regrets to all of the invitations we received?”
“All of them?” Tabitha asked. “You don’t intend to go to any?”
“If I do, I will only invite gossip and stares. Best to remain out of sight… for now.”
Tabitha frowned. “You did nothing wrong.”
Dorothea paused in the doorway. “Didn’t I?” she asked. “I trusted the wrong man.”
And with that, she stepped into the corridor, her heart heavy as lead, and made her way to the drawing room.
Inside, she found Lady Sarah and Arabella seated together on the settee, deep in conversation.
Dorothea cleared her throat. “Good morning.”
Arabella’s head whipped up, and she sprang to her feet. “Oh, my poor dear!” she cried, rushing across the room and enveloping Dorothea in a tight, dramatic embrace. “Are you quite all right?”
Perhaps it was the need for comfort—or perhaps just sheer exhaustion—but Dorothea allowed herself to be held.
“I’m fine,” she murmured.
Arabella leaned back, holding her at arm’s length to inspect her tear-streaked face. “You are not fine. You’re humiliated.”
Lady Sarah spoke up. “Arabella, really. That is not the least bit helpful.”
“I meant nothing by it,” Arabella insisted. “It’s simply the truth. The article was in the Society pages, plain as day. The entiretonknows about the annulment now.”
Dorothea groaned softly. “Thank you for the reminder.”
Arabella grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the settee. “You must tell us everything. Did you know Lord Warwicke was seeking an annulment?”
She shook her head. “No. I found out with the rest of the world.”
Arabella gasped and clutched at her chest as though Dorothea had just confessed to murder. “He didn’t tell you? You found out by reading the newssheets?”
Dorothea’s cheeks flushed. “I would rather not talk about it.”
Lady Sarah leaned forward and placed a comforting hand on Dorothea’s knee. “Of course. And you don’t have to. We’re not here to interrogate you. We’re here because we’re your family, and we are worried about you.”
Dorothea managed a nod. “Thank you, but truly, I’ll be all right.”
“This is the most scandalous thing to happen all Season,” Arabella announced.
Lady Sarah shot her daughter a warning look. “Do stop. You’re upsetting her.”
Dorothea raised a hand. “It’s all right. Arabella’s only saying what everyone else is thinking.”
“Exactly,” Arabella replied. “But you needn’t fret. Parliament almost never grants annulments. He’ll likely be stuck with you.”
Dorothea flinched. “Does it even matter? He’s made his feelings perfectly clear. He doesn’t want me.”
Arabella’s mouth opened to reply, but Lady Sarah cut her off. “You are strong, Dorothea. And I promise, you will get through this. One day, all of this pain will feel distant. It may not seem like it now, but you do not know what blessings the future may hold.”
