Mrs. Marshall nodded. “I don’t know what they talked about, but after the meeting, Mrs. Sterling summoned me. She forbade me from getting involved in Lord Roxbury’s business. She actually forbade me from meeting you, but when I read your message, I couldn’t ignore it. Rumours about Lady Roxbury having nearly killed her husband have circulated for weeks. Knowing how Lord Roxbury behaved with you, I worried you might have done something reckless. No one knew where you were. No one heard your version of the incident. That’s why I wanted to see you. But if I don’t obey Mrs. Sterling, I’ll lose my job, and I’m too old to find employment elsewhere. Also…” She shot a fleeting glance at Ethan. “Rumour has it that you’re Lord Stark’s mistress.”
Ethan didn’t flinch, but then again, they couldn’t expect to keep their relationship secret for long.
Cora mentally scolded herself. They’d assumed Jacob had been quiet in the past few weeks. Quite the opposite. He was one step ahead of them. He’d known he needed to stop Mrs. Marshall from cooperating with Cora before Cora herself knew she needed the former governess’s testimony. She had to respond in kind.
“I wish to speak to Mrs. Sterling. Alone,” she added before Ethan could say anything. “Can we go to see her, please?”
“Mrs. Sterling won’t see you and will give me the sack,” Mrs. Marshall said.
“If you lose your job,” Ethan said, “I’ll employ you.”
Cora couldn’t help but smile at him.
Mrs. Marshall didn’t look relieved. “Thank you, Lord Stark, but I’m fond of Mrs. Sterling and her daughter. I’ve been withher since well before her tragedy. It’s not simply my job. I don’t want to give her another cause of pain.”
“I’ll take full responsibility.” Cora ignored the little sting Mrs. Marshall’s words gave her. The governess showed more loyalty towards Mrs. Sterling than towards her former employer. Maybe it was understandable, but Mrs. Sterling didn’t risk losing everything, including her daughter. “Please. Jacob shot me. What will happen if David and I are forced to be with him again? What if Jacob finally kills one of us? Do you want David’s death on your conscience?” She was playing dirty, but for David, she would do anything.
Mrs. Marshall paled but nodded. “I’ll take you to her.”
The driveto Mrs. Sterling’s townhouse was both long and short. Cora wanted to conclude the meeting as quickly as possible, but at the same time, she doubted her negotiation skills, wishing for more time to prepare a convincing speech.
She took a deep breath, watching Mrs. Sterling’s door from Ethan’s carriage. The dark walls of the modest but decent townhouse lacked any decorations. No pots of flowers, bright curtains, or statues. If the widow was anything like her house, Cora would face a rather austere woman.
Ethan sat next to her in the carriage. “It’s better if I don’t show myself unless you want me to come with you.”
“Thank you, but I want to see her alone.”
Ethan held the door open as Cora and Mrs. Marshall exited the carriage and entered the gloomy townhouse.
“I’ll take all the blame for this encounter,” Cora said, stepping into the hallway. “Mrs. Sterling won’t punish you.”
“Thank you.” Mrs. Marshall showed her to the sitting room. “Please try to understand, my lady. I’m very fond of you and David. But Mrs. Sterling lost her husband, and her daughter is having trouble recovering from the loss. They’re going through a dark moment. If it weren’t for her little daughter, Mrs. Sterling wouldn’t carry on.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation. Really.” If she lost Ethan, she would go through a dark moment too. But she was fighting for her family. If she needed to be a hag, she would be.
“I’ll call Mrs. Sterling.” Mrs. Marshall bowed in her way out.
Left alone in the sitting room, Cora paced on the oriental carpet, thinking about not ruining her chance. Was she making promises she couldn’t keep? No, Ethan was right. She had to be hopeful and not despair. She had to be as strong as he was. She paused when loud voices came from upstairs. She couldn’t understand the words, but one came loud and clear: betrayal. Footfalls echoed. A door slammed, causing the paintings on the wall to shake. She swallowed hard.
The door was flung open. “What is the meaning of this?”
Cora jutted out her chin. She’d faced Jacob countless times. She could win this battle.
Mrs. Sterling cut a striking figure, dressed in her widow’s weeds. The dark fabric made her young face look older but enhanced her pointed chin and clever eyes. Cora’s chest tightened for the woman who must have known an unbearable pain too soon. If she was going to be honest, being a widow had never been a terrifying possibility for her. But Ethan was another matter.
“Lady Roxbury.” She didn’t offer a seat to Cora as she strode into the room, her fury palpable. “I don’t understand why you’re here. And Mrs. Marshall shouldn’t have allowed you to come. I don’t want you in my house.”
Cora held up a hand. “I’m the only one to be blamed. I didn’t give Mrs. Marshall any choice. I forced her to take me here. I used our friendship to push her to do me this favour, for I must speak to you.”
Mrs. Sterling pressed her pale lips in a white slash. Cora wondered when the last time the woman had enjoyed a proper meal and a good night’s sleep had been.
“About what?” she asked.
“I need Mrs. Marshall’s help to get an annulment from Lord Roxbury.” Straight to the point. “And I need you to let her help me.”
“I will not change my mind,” Mrs. Sterling said, closing her bony hands. “I have no quarrel against you, my lady, and I’m sorry for your troubles, but I’m aware of your association with Lord Stark and the fact he’s fond of you. Whatever displeases Lord Stark pleases me.”
“I won’t discuss your personal dislike of Lord Stark. You have your reasons.” Unfounded, but she wouldn’t speak ill of Mrs. Sterling’s husband.
