Page 83 of The Siren of Sussex

“Is that all you have to say for yourself?” She could no longer hold her temper. “Good lord, Stephen, we didn’t know if Fenny was alive or dead!”

“Your sister was in no danger. Women of her stripe always land on their feet. It’s my brother who—”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Anthony is my father’s heir. He can’t marry without father’s permission, and he comes into no money of his own until his next birthday. If your sister thinks to keep him on the hook for another year—”

“Your brother ruined my sister.”

Stephen gave a derisive snort.

“And his actions have very nearly ruined my family. Why couldn’t he leave Fenny alone?”

“Don’t try to pin this on my brother.”

“It’s not all my sister’s fault.”

“Your sister was a flirt.” He imbued the single, scathing word with a wealth of evil implication.

Evelyn shot up from the sofa.

Just because she and Aunt Nora criticized Fenny didn’t mean she would countenance hearing criticism of her from anyone else.

“Is that why your father still objects to them marrying? Because Fenny smiled too much and laughed too much? Because she used to enjoy a bit of fun?”

Stephen rose from his seat. “Don’t be absurd. He objects for the same reasons he’s always objected.”

“Because of my family’s lack of fortune and pedigree?” Evelyn scorned to say it. “Those concerns can hardly matter in the face of such a scandal.

“You think not?” Stephen’s eyes were hard as flint. “Do you suppose my father relishes the idea of the baronetcy one day falling to a grandchild who’s half Maltravers? My father, who can trace our lineage back to the Tudors?”

She refrained from pointing out that Sir William had seemed to have no objections where his second son was concerned. If he had, she’d never have dared hope that Stephen might one day propose. But the rules had always been different where Anthony was concerned.

“There’s nothing wrong with a grandchild who’s half Maltravers,” she said. “And shame on you for saying so.”

Stephen was unrepentant. “Your sister’s lack of breeding isn’t my father’s only objection.”

“What else?”

“If you must know, he refuses to sanction my brother tying himself to a woman who’s lived with a man outside the bounds of matrimony.”

“The man she’s living with is your brother!”

“A fine way for the future Lady Connaught to behave.” Stephen straightened his waistcoat. “I’m determined to run the two of them to earth. With luck, I can persuade Anthony to come home. He’s always listened more to me than to Father.”

“And Fenny? If you find them, what will happen to her?”

“Your aunt must do with her what she will.” His lips pursed in a moue of distaste. “I regret her conduct has tarnished your reputation, and that of your sisters. You are to be pitied.”

Evelyn didn’t want his pity. She didn’t want anything from him save his silence. “Fenny’s conduct is hers alone. My reputation—and that of my younger sisters—is unblemished. So long as you don’t go about stirring the scandal up again.”

“What can it matter now?”

“It matters. News of Fenny’s disgrace could very well harm my prospects. I would ask that you exercise discretion when speaking of it.”

“Your prospects?” His fair brows elevated nearly to his hairline. “Is that why you’re here? Making a spectacle of yourself riding in the park?”

“I’m here for the season. What I do during that time is no business of yours, sir.”