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“I’m sure Debenham laughs behind the back of a lot of people to whom he is quite civil in person, because he finds them quite useful but, yes, although there does appear to be a cloud hanging over Mr. Cosmo Lamont; that sketch he did of Debenham that sits on your dressing table is an uncanny likeness and quite remarkable.”
“The one where he looks so disreputable, and he’s lounging with a cheroot in his mouth?”
“Don’t you think it a very clever likeness? By the way, do you know that Miss Hazlett no longer works for the Lamont family? Something happened, and I don’t believe they remain on good terms. Cousin Stephen hinted to me that Mr. Lamont was involved in something all but criminal, which is why he’s being watched.”
Araminta gave a gusty sigh and turned the topic. “Well, I’m sure I don’t know what has happened to our half-sister. Lissa seems to have disappeared. No gratitude after all I did for her. Not that I want to be reminded of what harm she does to our reputation just by her mere existence. To think that Papa could....” She left the sentence unfinished, and shuddered instead to give meaning to her words.
“She’s never to be mentioned in poor Mama’s presence,” Hetty said, lowering her voice. “Mama seems so happy these days. I don’t want to see her cast into the dismals with talk of Papa’s...other family.” Hetty opened her mouth to continue, paused, then stared straight at Araminta as if deciding whether or not to s
peak until Araminta said irritably, “Do say whatever it is you’re afraid is going to shock or outrage me, Hetty. It’s something else that is less than flattering about Debenham, isn’t it? And clearly you’d enjoy revealing it, only you have to pretend otherwise.” She huffed out a sigh. “Go on, then. Tell me.”
Hetty looked taken aback, Araminta was glad to see. Always trying to play the good-hearted sister, she thought uncharitably.
“I’m sorry you think that, Araminta,” Hetty said, a touch tartly. “Well then, I shall get to the point. Debenham is being watched due to the activities that have made him a person of interest to the Foreign Office. I think you must know that I speak of the letter you tried to burn. I overheard Stephen speaking about it at dinner to Papa a little while ago.”
“Then they are trying to make more of this ridiculous claim by your husband’s late wife about Debenham plotting with the Spenceans!” Araminta bridled. “Well, the letter’s burned, and as far as I know, there’s nothing else to suggest my husband is anything but as honest as the day is long.”
Araminta was just relaxing back on the bed and closing her eyes in happy satisfaction that her actions in burning the letter had put the whole matter to rest when Hetty said, “Actually, Araminta, it would seem the letter you burned was a fake letter Jem supplied.”
“What!?”
Hetty left the window and returned to her chair. She looked earnest and even a trifle scared. “It’s true. I heard Cousin Stephen tell Papa that he’d been in discussion with a man called Sir William Keane, who had been investigating the matter before he was posted to Constantinople, but that Debenham’s secretary, Mr. Ralph Tunley, had produced the real letter. Indeed, it has been verified as the real letter in which Sir Aubrey’s late wife declares Debenham guilty of treason, not Sir Aubrey, as Debenham had always claimed.”
“Dear Lord!” Araminta whispered, covering her face with her hands. “Treason? It can’t be evidence, surely. I mean...it’s just a letter by a madwoman. A woman who killed herself the moment she’d written it.” The ramifications were terrifying; even she knew that.
“Yes, my poor predecessor,” Hetty remarked drily. “You can imagine I am equally affected, both on account of the damage that was done to my darling husband’s reputation when everyone assumed—thanks to Debenham continually casting aspersions—that Sir Aubrey was tainted.” She drew in a deep breath. “I just wanted to warn you, that’s all.”
“You think you can just let the matter rest?” Araminta sat up. She was primed for action now. Angrily she went on, “You can’t just tell me this, Hetty without realizing the need to avert what appears to be Cousin Stephen’s objective—to accuse Lord Debenham of treason. Do you know where that leaves me if he’s convicted?” She answered her own question. “With nothing! All his goods and chattels would be forfeited to the crown. I’d become a pauper. His baby and I would...we’d be destitute!” The more she explored the argument, the more Araminta realized how stark her position really was. “Destitute!” she repeated, this time more shrilly.
Hetty, clearly realizing she’d opened a veritable Pandora’s box, strove to comfort her distraught sister. “Such a thing could never happen. And Debenham is too slippery to ever be caught. I just wanted you to know—”
“Too slippery? What’s that supposed to mean? You clearly think he’s a villain. What can I do, Hetty? I need to ensure that Debenham doesn’t overstep the mark, yet I have no control. None! Every night he gambles, drinks, womanizes ...I don’t know what he does, into the early hours of the morning. He no longer listens to me. I’m an ungainly and disgusting creature in his eyes. I have no influence whatsoever.” She began to cry as the tragedy of her words hit home. Once, Araminta had been queen of her domain and confident of her ability to make men her slaves. Now, her life felt like it was in ruins about her ears.
She thought of Lord Ludbridge, and that immediately brought to mind what Hetty had said regarding his brother. Her tears stopped abruptly as hope found a chink in her misery. Struggling onto her elbows, she asked, “Did you say Mr. Tunley is the man who purports to have the real letter which slanders Debenham? Then why has he not used it?”
Hetty threw her hands up into the air, clearly upset already at having said too much. “I don’t know, Araminta. I only thought to tell you—through sisterly loyalty—what I’d overheard so you’d be prepared for any eventuality.”
“Meaning I’d be sure and have a trunk packed, ready for the workhouse?” Araminta began to chew her nails, agitation, but excitement, too, rising in her breast. “Mr. Tunley must be spoken to. Yes, that’s what must happen. He has to be made to understand that he cannot use this letter against me and ruin my life. Why, if his brother knew the injury he intended against me he’d never let him get away with it!”
“His brother?” Almost instantly, Hetty’s brow unfurrowed. “Oh, you mean to ask Lord Ludbridge...” She trailed off as a look of greater understanding smoothed away her frown, adding, “or rather, trade on your old...er...friendship with Lord Ludbridge.”
“Of course I do! He’ll make sure Mr. Tunley disposes of the letter so that no danger will possibly befall me. I know he’d do that for me.”
“But Araminta, I know you like Lord Tunbridge very much, but it mightn’t be so simple. In fact, if Debenham got wind of it, it might be dangerous.”
“It’s for Debenham I’d be doing it,” Araminta objected. “Of course, I must trade on my associations, just like any man would do in order to gain the advantage. Lord Ludbridge has the highest regard for me. He’ll do whatever I ask. You say he’s coming here in a couple of weeks?”
“Yes, but Araminta, I wasn’t supposed to reveal anything about—”
“What? You’d just see me cast to the lions?”
“Of course not. But what if the letter is only one part of a case of evidence against Debenham?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Debenham isn’t so stupid as to involve himself in any other bad business when he’s had this lucky reprieve regarding the letter. Well, to date, anyway. No, Mr. Tunley must be prevailed upon by his brother to withhold or destroy that letter. He must!” Her brain whirled over the many possibilities open to her. “I must see Lord Ludbridge when he comes back with Sir Aubrey after their shooting trip. Yes, that’s the only way. Hetty, you must help me. If you don’t want to see me and my babe cast to the wolves or breaking stones in the workhouse, that’s what you must do!”
Chapter Sixteen
Kitty rearranged her skirts so that the tiniest suggestion of ankle showed below the rich ruby-velvet hem as she reclined upon the chaise longue. “Will that do, Mr. Lamont?” she asked.
