Page 85 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

“You need not determine the date.”

“No. But I should like to say the thing while I can still say it here, instead of attempting it tonight with half London listening.”

Selina went very still.

“You are the nearest thing to a sister I have ever had,” Georgiana said. “And if Giles says anything about you tonight, I should like you to remember that before you remember him.”

For several seconds Selina could not answer.

Then she held out her arms.

“Come here.”

Georgiana did, and Selina embraced her briefly and hard.

“You are my sister too,” she said. “I had not expected one either.”

Georgiana’s arms tightened once around her.

When they parted, both looked elsewhere.

“Now go,” Selina said. “Before you ruin my eyes and oblige me to attend Lady Marwood’s looking genuinely distressed.”

Georgiana laughed and went.

The Season was well advanced, and Lady Marwood’s ball had attracted precisely the sort of attendance Giles required for a public accusation; and consequently, the audience Selina required for its answer.

Mrs Loxley had arrived earlier in the evening and had been given a private room in which to rest. She remained free to change her mind until the moment she was asked to enter the ballroom. Selina had made certain that this was understood by everyone concerned, most particularly Lady Marwood.

Petherick would attend with the proved copy of Lady Merrow’s codicil, the broker’s account of the garnet sale and Mr Dunmore’s records of Selina’s remittances.

The sequence of the answer was simple because Selina had insisted upon keeping it so.

If Giles alleged that the garnets belonged to the estate, the codicil would establish that they had belonged to Selina.

If he used the later payments to suggest that she had concealed estate funds, the accounts would establish their lawful sources. Mrs Loxley would speak of their destination only if she still wished to do so.

If Rowland attempted to present himself as an innocent party, Georgiana possessed his own threatening letters. Sowerby’s evidence supplied the connection between Rowland and Giles.

They would answer only what Giles actually alleged. Selina had refused to construct a dozen defences against accusations he might never make.

That morning another letter had arrived.

Duchess,

Lady Marwood has informed me that your cousin intends to make himself troublesome on Thursday and that you have elected to attend regardless.

I shall be there.

You did not ask for my assistance, and I do not offer it because I suppose you incapable of managing without me. I offer it because I have decided that you belong to this family, and I do not permit attacks upon my family merely because the person attacked is competent to answer them herself.

When the moment requires it, you may count upon me.

Helena Sinclair.

Selina had read the note twice.

Then she had folded it carefully and placed it beside Nathaniel’s violet card in the small locked box in her dressing room.