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“I have sworn it,” Harriet replied, equally as firmly. “Observe the differences. They are there if you look closely.”
But Simon seemed unwilling to let go of the letters he held. In fact, he was reading the one that Harriet had written.
“You have been corresponding? The two of you. For what reason?” he demanded.
Edward glanced at him dismissively, returning his eyes to Harriet.
“I have been helping His Grace to locate his sister. Acting as a secretary,” Harriet said.
“A secretary!” Simon exclaimed. “You must think me a fool! I saw how you acted on the day of Lady Rebecca’s wedding. Riding off after him like a lovesick schoolgirl. Do you think me blind!”
Harriet was taken aback. It was not often that Simon was moved to genuine anger. He was a placid man, diplomatic by instinct and averse to confrontations. Now, his face had reddened and his grip tightened on the paper he held until it crumpled in his hands.
“What are you saying, Simon?” Harriet asked.
“I’m saying that something has been going on between the two of you. That you have gotten ahead of yourself and announced an engagement that your…your lover was unprepared for!”
Harriet gasped and Edward reacted, grabbing Simon by the lapels of his coat.
“You will apologize for slandering your cousin, sir!” Edward demanded.
Simon glared back defiantly. “You do not deny it, sir! I slander no one. I read the evidence that you have put before me.”
“I do deny it. Harriet is pure in heart and body. And I will call out any man that says differently.”
“Well, then. This malicious paper that has done so much damage must be held to blame,” Simon said.
He hurried to the fire and threw both Harriet’s letter and the letter to the newspaper into the flames before Edward could stop him.
“That is an end to the matter. You, I’m sure, can explain to the newspaper that they were mistaken in what they printed. Harriet need have no further connection to you. Indeed, if you wish to quell these rumors, it would be advisable for the two of you to stay at opposite ends of the country, would it not?”
He has a fair point. Did he do this himself? A convoluted plan to keep Edward and myself apart. No, Simon is too straightforward to conceive a plan like that, surely.
“I fear it will not be that simple. And destroying letters does not change that the person who perpetrated this act has been able to copy Harriet’s handwriting. If she is to be believed,” Edward said.
“I cannot think who that could be,” Harriet said, honestly.
She was trying not to react to the casual questioning of her own integrity.
If I am to be believed indeed!
“I would suggest that it must be someone in your own household,” Edward said. “As only those people would have access to correspondence which you have authored, enough of it to imitate your handwriting anyway.”
“So, you accuse me, or my sister or…the Dowager Countess?” Simon demanded.
Edward shrugged. “It seems logical. Can you suggest anyone else?”
“Since Harriet has written to you at least once, what ofyourhousehold?” Simon demanded.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Why is it ridiculous?” Harriet said, attempting to sound calm and reasonable.
The tones of the two men were rising, their glares sharp enough to strike sparks. She was keen to try and pour cold water on the situation.
“To us, it is just as ridiculous to suggest that I, Eleanor, or my mother would have done this. Why not someone who has read my letters to you?”
“Because I have them locked away in privacy. None has seen them but me,” Edward replied fiercely.
