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Harriett bit her lip. Obviously, her sister was suffering the acute melancholy that sometimes befell new mothers. “I think perhaps I ought to arrange for you to be reunited with Eudora in private, at least for a short while. But afterward, until we are well out of London and away from its pricking ears and prying eyes, you must be strong and hold yourself together. For your daughter’s sake. Can you do it?”
“Yes,” said her sister after a moment. She squared her shoulders and faced her with trembling lips. “For Eudora.”
“There is something else,” Harriett added. “Roland and I have decided to adopt another little girl along with Eudora. He thinks it’ll serve to further throw people off the scent. Her name is Isabelle, and she’s about a week or so younger, so they’ll grow up as companions. I’m going to speak to Papa about bringing Mrs. Jenkins and Katie on to help. He can’t afford them anyway, and I’d rather they were with us than with strangers.”
Her sister’s eyes lit with hope, but then dulled again. “Katie won’t be coming. Jeremy has asked her to marry him. He was offered an apprenticeship with a silversmith in Reading, and she is to work as a lady’s maid for a family there. I think Mrs. Jenkins planned to return to London to do for Papa, but I’m not certain.”
Which meant they would need to hire additional help when they got to Cambridgeshire. “We’ll worry about that when the time comes,” Harriett said, pushing it aside for the moment. “Now, until we bring Eudora home I want you to get plenty of rest, eat every bite of every meal, and stop your fretting. Eudora is receiving the best care and will be with you before you know it. Cat’s wedding is just around the corner. I’ve had a new gown commissioned for you based on your measurements before you left London. We are to have you fitted tomorrow, provided you are well enough.”
“And what of Elizabeth?” asked Arabella, her quavering voice belying her calm expression. “She’ll be there, won’t she?”
There was no point in prevaricating. “Yes. She’s already in London and has been to visit me three times since my return. But not to worry, you’ll attend in a chair and we’ll keep you well separated.”
A scary, blank expression crept over Arabella’s face. “Because of my selfishness and lack of judgment, I have lost a sister and gained a lifetime of secrets and sha
me.”
“You have also gained a beautiful daughter,” Harriett insisted, grabbing her hand. “And you’ll both have a happy home with me.”
“I don’t deserve it.” Her sister’s lips became a hard, bitter line. “I stole Elizabeth’s happiness. I tempted him, Harriett. I deliberately dressed and behaved in such a manner as to draw his attention. I never expected him to respond as he did. When he did, I was so unprepared. I didn’t know how to—”
“Stop it,” Harriett commanded. “You were only trying your wings as young girls often do their first year out. You simply happened to do so around a man with no honor.” She hesitated, but then decided to forge ahead. Arabella needed to know the truth. “Elizabeth blamed it all on you at first, just as you are blaming yourself now, but she has since discovered that Oxenden’s perfidy was not limited to his seduction of you.”
Arabella’s eyes widened. “There were others?”
“You were but one of many,” Harriett answered, grateful to see no pain in her sister’s face, only shock at the revelation. “She has uncovered a multitude of indiscretions.”
“Will she ever forgive me, do you think?”
“I do not know,” Harriett said honestly, not wanting to crush her fragile hope. “It is something to perhaps consider in years to come, but I think it best to let the matter rest for the present time. Too much is at stake to risk the conflict between you becoming public now.”
“Of course,” agreed her sister at once. She chewed her lip for a moment, then spoke again. “Harriett, no matter what happens between Elizabeth and me, whether it be for good or ill, I have decided Papa is right. I shall never tell her—or anyone else—about Eudora.”
Harriett marked that her tone was different. More thoughtful now and, thank heaven, less reckless.
“I don’t want anyone, especially Eudora herself, to ever know she is illegitimate,” continued Arabella. A broken smile briefly crossed her lips. “I shall content myself with playing the role of a doting aunt and allow her and the rest of the world to believe you and Manchester are her parents. It is the only way to cleanse her name, the only way she will ever have a chance at happiness. If I can give her nothing else, I can at least give her that.”
It was an enormous sacrifice, and Harriett could see what it cost her. She embraced Arabella tightly for a moment and then looked her in the eyes. “Along with your love, it will be more than enough.”
~ * ~
St. James’s was quite literally packed wall-to-wall. Not a single invitation had been declined, for no one wanted to miss the chance to see those involved in London’s three most delicious scandals all gathered beneath one roof.
It had been a month, and Harriett’s elopement was still the subject of much discussion. She couldn’t help but smile at the way everyone kept casting subtle—and some not-so-subtle—glances at her midsection. In addition, rumors of Elizabeth’s estrangement from Lord Oxenden had finally begun to circulate. They were now given credence, thanks to her solitary attendance at this family event.
If the two combined weren’t enough to incite the wagging of chins, then there was also the fact that Lord Russell and his new lady wife were in attendance. Even now, they were being seated. The upper crust was in a transport of watchful delight, and whispers followed like a tide in the couple’s wake.
“I didn’t think they’d come,” murmured Cat, peeking out from behind the vestry door.
“I’m sure Nanette only came to gloat,” Harriett replied, chuckling. “No doubt she had to drag him here.”
“Did he ever answer your letter?”
“No,” Harriett lied. He had answered. Naturally, he’d been quite disappointed to have his suspicions confirmed, but her elopement with Roland had not been entirely unexpected. He had even gone so far as to express gratitude for the fact that she’d come to her senses before it was too late, in effect saving them both. Nanette, it turned out, truly loved him, though he’d failed to see it until Harriett finally dashed his hopes.
“I shall be a far happier man with her honest love than I would have been had I married you without your heart,” he’d written. His forgiveness hadn’t completely appeased her conscience, but it certainly helped. At the time, she’d felt there was no other choice but to marry him. She was very glad they’d both been spared that fate. Russell was a good man, and she genuinely wished him joy.
“Well, I don’t suppose there would be much to say,” said Cat, turning away. “Where are Elizabeth and Arabella?”
