Page 59 of Miss Delancey’s Tragicomedy

“Is he? I hadn’t heard about the old viscount’s death.” He scratched his chin, trying to recall anything about the grandson. The son, he did recollect Felicity once telling him, had died in a carriage accident many years ago, along with the daughter-in-law. “I might have seen the boy on occasion when I was out there visiting. He couldn’t have been more than eight or ten.”

Eli rubbed his hands on his trouser legs as if his palms had grown clammy. “He isn’t a child anymore. Hayworth had been gone from Britain for years, is my understanding.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know where. That wasn’t discussed. Only that he came back when he inherited the title. He’s been in Dainswick for a few months, and he’s been calling on your sister and niece.”

Trentham wished Eli would get to the point. It sounded as though Hayworth was rather too much a stranger in his own home. Dainswick was a small town. Not a lot in the way of society. Who else would the young lord visit but Lady Townes? Maybe the vicar?

“And?”

Again, Eli groaned. “Apparently, he visits frequently. Villagers started to talk.”

“Talk—” Deep in his chest, he felt a burn.

“Julia is too young to inspire gossip. So the tittle-tattle—”

“Felicity? Oh, you can’t be serious! That is absurd!”

“Of course it’s absurd. But Sir George is holding her in London to keep watch on her—”

“The devil!” Trentham took in a deep breath, then let it out. So that was why she’d been detained here. “Felicity would never dishonor her marriage vows, but if she did, I’d applaud her. She deserves better than that old bastard.” He slammed his hands against the bench seat. “Why did he not defend her? Does he want to be known as a cuckold?”

“I don’t know.” Eli pulled his hand through his hair. “Robin—”

“What else did you hear? How did rumor make it from Dainswick to London? Who would spread such filth?”

“What does it matter? How do rumors ever travel?”

“Why were they gossiping at Garrick’s today?” It made no sense that Eli was just now hearing this noised about. “Felicity has been in town for over a month. Sir George must have been aware since he has imprisoned her here, but it hasn’t become the latest ton scandal. I’ve heard nothing. I would have heard sooner if it was all over London.”

“I’m not sure that’s true,” Eli said in a low tone.

“Oh, for God’s sake!” Was Eli implying people were keeping this from him? Trentham sucked in air and held it, counting until he had to breathe out. Of course, no one was brave enough to inform him.

He felt something break inside. His reputation had not improved over the years; it had evidently grown worse. He managed to murmur, “Thank you for telling me.”

“You can’t…you know you must let this burn itself out. It will. Your sister is blameless. Everyone who knows her knows that.” Eli cleared his throat. “And the reason it’s being bandied about now is that Hayworth is in London. The idiot escorted Julia and her governess on the train.”

“The cur,” Trentham muttered.

“What?”

“I thought he meant me. Sir George. He said, ‘the cur is here’. So he knows Hayworth is in London.”

The hackney slowed to a stop. They had arrived. Home, but not a haven. Given a choice, Trentham would be hidden away at his Italian villa, far, far away from the nattering ton.

After disembarking, Trentham fished the fare from his purse. The driver tipped his cap, then rode off. Trentham stared after the receding carriage, trying to think.

Eli put his hand on Trentham’s arm. “You can’t do anything.”

“The hell I can’t!”

“Robin! Don’t. You know Lady Townes won’t want you involving yourself—”

“Do you think it matters whether I do or don’t? If I were to ostracize my sister, if I condemn her, do you imagine that will somehow help me avoid scandal?” He felt sick. Kicked in the gut. He took two stumbling steps toward the door. He would, of course, give Felicity his full, unwavering support. But the devil! He’d done his damnedest to bury the past, and now it would be heaved up again when he was on the point of redemption.

And what a horrifically selfish reaction.