“Did you marry for love?” Cassie asked.
“Oh, what did I know of love then?” Lady Asquith replied. “But, yes, I believed I was marrying for love.”
“Why did you think you were?” Eliza asked.
“Because he was good to his mama. And I found him interesting. Once, we took shelter from a rainstorm in a folly on my parents’ estate and talked for hours.” Lady Asquith smiled a secret smile. “That was the day I knew we would wed.”
Eliza exchanged a glance with Millie. Clearly, both were wondering whether more than just talk had been involved.
“Was Harbury good to his mama?” Cassie asked.
Lady Asquith smiled approvingly at Cassie. “Yes. And very respectful of his father, too. Still, Harbury has come into his responsibilities far too young.”
Finally, a sentiment with which Eliza could heartily agree.
“He is also, however, remarkably attentive to his older sister, Lady Sarah.”
“I’d noticed.” Cassie’s brow troubled.
Eliza frowned.
First, Cassie had welcomed Harbury with far more enthusiasm than Eliza expected. Now she had admitted to thinking deeply about the cad? To observing his relationship with his sister?
She couldn’t be seriously considering Harbury, could she?
Cassie shifted positions, shading her eyes with her hand to better see. “Who is that, over there?”
Eliza followed Cassie’s gaze to the far bank of the artificial lake. Her heart spasmed. She felt the blood drain from her face. Miss D’Acre and Lady Redver, were walking arm and arm just in front of Redver. When Eliza glanced back, she found Cassie and Millie studying her with interest. She squinted, though her scowl could hardly conceal her reaction.
Her sisters exchanged a significant glance.
“Why, look,” Cassie said loud enough to alert their Godmama. “Isn’t that Harbury’s friend, Lord Redver?”
“So it is,” Lady Asquith replied.
“That’sLord Redver?” Millie asked. “The one who’s hand—”
“Ssst!” Eliza silenced her sister.
“Lord Redver…” Lady Asquith considered him. “He has been remarkably solicitous of you, Eliza. And, despite unfortunate family scandal, one must admit he shows a touching devotion to Miss D’Acre, too.”
“Why then,” Eliza asked, “did you referred to him as ‘that Redver’?”
“Willful, indeed,” Lady Asquith quipped. “I was tightly wound up that day. I should not have indulged in unkind gossip about an ancient scandal.”
“What scandal?” Millie asked with interest.
“Nothing worth mentioning now. Besides, Redver was merely a boy and Miss D’Acre no more than a babe in arms.”
After they’d returned from the opera, Eliza had, in fact, taken Redver’s suggestion and searched through her godmother’s old papers and journals. She’d found several references to the D’Acre trial and divorce. After the trial, his mother had fled to the continent, never to be heard from again.
Her heart had ached for him. And for Miss D’Acre.
“I do not believe children should be punished for the sins of their parents,” Eliza said.
“Although,” Lady Asquith added, “one does wish he’d do the pretty more often. He’s accepted so few invitations since he sold his commission.”
“Perhaps we should invite them over?” Cassie blinked innocently back at Eliza’s warning scowl. “Miss D’Acre got on so well with Millie, Lenora, and Nettie.”
