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It felt as if we were on the edge of a dam just waiting to break.
And then, on an otherwise uneventful Tuesday, it did.
I was sitting in the drawing room with Lady Radcliffe, working on my embroidery, when Cassandra ran into the room.
“Grandmother, Amelia, there is news.” She said, catching her breath.
“Heavens, Cassandra, please act like a lady and contain yourself.” Lady Radcliffe sniffed disapprovingly, but I could tell there was a hint of interest in her eyes.
“Well, go on then!”
After an extended moment of Cassandra breathing heavily, she began.
“Yes, yes, it’s aboutLord Marsden.”At the mention of his name, she glanced at me and winked. I almost spit out my tea.
Lady Radcliffe made an annoyed sigh.
“I do not care about that useless scoundrel-”
Cassandra interrupted her grandmother, the words coming out in an excited rush.
“He was caught behaving inappropriately with Juliana Pembroke! In the broad daylight right in Vauxhall Gardens, of all places. Her engagement to Lord Turley has been called off, and her reputation, apparently, ruined.”
That certainly got Lady Radcliffe’s attention.
“Miss Pembroke was caught doing… was caught with… with that rake?” The old woman stammered, as if she failed to understand.
“Yes, grandmama, Juliana Pembroke and Lord Marsden have been found out in Vauxhi-”
“Yes, yes, I heard you the first time, child!”
I sat and watched the interaction, my heart racing. So, Lord Marsden had ruined Juliana, proving himself to be the rake that everyone whispered that he was.
Would the boy I had grown up with done such a thing?
I suppose it didn’t matter. That boy was gone.
“There’s rumored to be a duel between Alfred and Lord Marsden… or between Lord Turley and Marsden. No one knows.” Cassandra continued, looking at me, not her grandmother. “Though, in my opinion, Lord Marsden would absolutely destroy Alfred in a duel. It would be quite embarrassing for him…”
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Enough.” Lady Radcliffe said, suddenly standing.
Both Cassandra and I looked at her, surprised by her quick movements. It was unlike the ladyship to do anything at speed.
“This is most grave news for the Pembroke family. I thought very highly of Viscount Hampton and your own Alfred, Cassandra, but obviously, we cannot abide by this.”
Cassandra raised her eyebrows.
“What do you mean?”
Lady Radcliffe sniffed, gathering her things as she began to walk from the room.
“You are no longer permitted to see Alfred Pembroke. His own sister ruining herself with such a deplorable man! I will not allow you anywhere near that family.” She paused, looking back at us both with a stern expression.
“London itself seems to be rotten! We will leave for Cornwall as soon as possible.”
And with that, she slammed the drawing room door behind her.
