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Hetty shook her head, for what alternative did she have?
“Good. I see at last you are being as sensible as your sister. Miss Araminta may not be as intelligent as you but she’s wary enough to know the damage to her reputation—and to her parents—would be irreparable were she to be caught alone in a room…with a chaise longue…and only me.”
Hetty exhaled on a little sob. How could she ever have known the price she must pay for her sins would be such an impossible one? To lose her good name was one thing but to sacrifice her father and her family was intolerable. As intolerable as destroying Sir Aubrey’s chances of regaining his reputation.
Lord Debenham chuckled. “No need to look so desperate.” He sounded more cheerful now. “If you give me the letter it simply restores the status quo. Your beloved Sir Aubrey will be no more maligned than he is now. Furthermore, your father’s fortunes will be less damaged as a result of your good offices. Now, as to delivery, you have twenty-four hours to find that letter. My first suggestion is that lady’s maid of yours. If she’s said nothing, then she’s hiding the truth, for I’d bet my last donkey she’s been entrusted with it.”
He rubbed his chin. “If you don’t want your dear Jane to suffer a fate similar as Jem’s, I suggest you meet me at the third supper box on the walkway behind the orchestra at the Vauxhall Gardens Grand Masquerade tomorrow. You shall know me by my military attire. Alexander the Great, no less. I shall be there at ten o’clock, Miss Henrietta.” He smiled. “And I do not expect to be as disappointed by your lack of punctuality as I have been by your sister’s. Now go, Miss Henrietta! My nephew has been asking after you all evening and I do not want to suffer his disappointment if he does not get to stand up with you at least twice.”
* * * * *
Araminta glanced up at Sir Aubrey and gave a despairing sigh. “I fear I must visit the ladies’ mending room if I am not to put my foot through my trimming and make a public spectacle of myself, landing flat on my face as poor Hetty once did. You should have heard the company laugh.”
“I would not have.”
“Poor Hetty is such a plain little creature. She finds it very difficult that all the young men dismiss her in favor of,” she tossed her head, “more desirable dance partners.”
“I think her a charming companion.”
Araminta sighed again. “You are so kind to spare her your attention. She’s really so grateful.”
“It’s hardly a chore.”
Araminta didn’t like the way his mouth quirked. “She has her sights set on Mr. Woking, you know. It’s the ideal match. Though not as handsome as some,” she sent him a meaningful look, “he has a fine estate but much too remote for some ladies’ tastes. Hetty is used to solitude. She will thrive.”
“As the lonely wife of an ugly man?”
Araminta’s mouth dropped open. Then realizing he was clearly sharing the joke with her, she tittered. “You really are too wicked, Sir Aubrey, the way you twist a girl’s words.”
“Just as long as I’ve reassured you as to who is the better man. You must not allow Lord Debenham to see that letter, my dear.” Taking Araminta’s hands in his, he raised them to his lips, his expression serious. “Lord Debenham is guilty of a heinous crime, Miss Partington. It’s only a matter of time before the law catches up with him, either through the revelation of this letter or through other channels, and they do exist, my love. His Lordship is on the path to ruin.” Dropping her hands, he briefly caressed her cheek. “If you allied yourself to the cause of justice, I’d be eternally grateful.”
Araminta smiled at him, murmuring as Hetty arrived in their midst, “In that case I promise to be worthy of such eternal warmth.”
She knew Hetty’s stricken look ought to make her feel bad but as she picked up her skirts and hurried through the ballroom, she consoled herself that it was kinder, all in all, that Hetty be disabused of any thoughts that Sir Aubrey reciprocated her feelings. He was certainly thoughtful and charitable toward her but more in the nature of a benevolent uncle toward an unprepossessing but sweet child.
Midnight had chimed some minutes ago but Araminta knew that leaving an eager man waiting heightened his anticipation.
Now, as she tiptoed past the ladies’ mending room, careful to ensure she was unobserved as she sidled into the passage at right angles to it, she was conscious of her mixed emotions. Lord Debenham was frightening but somehow that only made him more exciting. Certainly she must manage this next interview with as much delicacy as she’d managed Jem. Satisfaction surged through her. She’d twisted Jem right around her little finger.
She’d have to be just as persuasive with Lord Debenham, though the final outcome depended on what he could offer her.
Now she just needed to make Jem understand how important it was to give her the letter. Really, there was nothing that could not be bought at the right price. And squandering large amounts of money wasn’t always necessary.
Chapter Thirteen
“What a charming picture you girls make.” Lady Partington looked at her daughters proudly as she entered Araminta’s bedroom, where the girls were being dressed by Jane for the masquerade.
“And how are you, Jane?” she asked, her brow creased with concern as she put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “How is your Jem?”
Jane pretended great concentration in positioning a ha
irpin amongst the flowers of Hetty’s headdress though the moistness of her eyes glistened in the firelight. “He’s a little better today,” she whispered. “Lord Debenham’s own doctor is attending to him.”
Hetty was not surprised by Jane’s lack of enthusiasm when her mother responded warmly, “Oh, that is kind of him.”
Again the same fear that had kept her awake the previous night churned through her. It was in Lord Debenham’s interest that the letter never be made public. In exchange for maintaining the current situation and delivering the letter to Lord Debenham, who would simply destroy it, Hetty would be safeguarding her reputation, Jem’s life and her father’s fortunes.
Nothing would be any different from the way it was now, except Hetty and her family would be safe and protected. Did she not owe them that? She was canny enough to discard the notion that Lord Debenham would honor his promise of financial benefits for her father.
