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“That is a wise idea.”
“I thought I might try Lady Selby first. I know they were friends, but I’m not certain how close,” Elizabeth said.
“Even if she wasn’t close with your mother, she might know other women who were.” Sophie stopped as her footman brought in a tray of tea. She poured the tea and handed Elizabeth a cup.
Elizabeth waited for the footman to leave before she asked the most pressing question. “What if it is true, Sophie?”
Sophie sat back and sipped her tea. “Then you must pray very hard that you are not with child. Because if you are, you will have no choice but to leave London, and most likely England as well.”
Elizabeth’s mouth gaped. She hadn’t really thought about the consequences of being with child other than the gossip. Everyone would know he was the father and if the story became public, she would be completely disgraced. Sophie was right. Elizabeth would be forced to leave England forever. She would never see Will again, or her home or her friends. Where could she possibly go on her small allowance?
The sound of a cane hitting the marble floor made her look up. Lady Cantwell stopped at the doorway and looked in.
“Miss Reynard, thank you again for the reading and letting me rest.”
Sophie rose and went to her client. She clasped the older lady’s gnarled hands and held them tight. “You are most welcome, Lady Cantwell.”
Lady Cantwell moved slightly and then walked into the salon. “And you, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Me?” Elizabeth squeaked.
“I have told you before, when you are ready to learn about your family to come to me. But do not come alone. The duke needs to know his family history, too.”
Elizabeth felt a bit confused. “I already know about my family.”
Lady Cantwell leveled a disapproving look. “No, my dear, there is much you do not know.”
“Are you speaking of my father?” Elizabeth whispered.
“And your mother.” Lady Cantwell ambled out of the room and left the house. Elizabeth stood staring at the empty room. Could Lady Cantwell know who her father was?
“That woman is slightly mad,” Sophie said.
“I think she might know who my father was,” Elizabeth replied.
“Elizabeth, you know she is one of the worst gossips amongst the ton.”
“I do know that.” Elizabeth looked into her friend’s gray eyes. “But what if she does know? She might be my only chance.”
“Or she might be your complete and utter downfall.”
Chapter 19
The door to her house slammed and Sophie immediately knew Somerton had arrived. She waited for him to find her in the small receiving salon. She felt the anger emanating from him even at this distance, and used it as a warning. The footfalls of his boots pounded the marbled floor almost shaking the house.
“What the bloody hell do you want now?” he demanded as soon as he saw her.
“We have a problem,” Sophie said softly. While she usually could manipulate him easily in his anger, today was different.
“No, you have a problem.” Somerton paced the room.
“They have been told a rumor, and I have no way of knowing if it’s true.”
Somerton stopped and turned toward her. His hazel eyes appeared almost completely green in the pale light of the room. “What rumor, and how does it involve me?”
Right to the point. “Someone told them that they might be brother and sister.”
Somerton had the audacity to laugh and then just as quickly stopped. He leaned over her chair and said, “Maybe you have this one wrong.”
