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Nancy shook her head, giving her mother a doting smile.
“Do not apologize to me, Mother,” she said. “I completely understand. Your letters helped me tremendously. Not a minute went by that I did not know just how much my family loved and supported me.” She glanced at Rowena and winked as she spoke.
Rowena blushed and smiled down at her teacup. She had written almost those very words in one of her letters to Nancy. It touched her that her sister had held them so close to her heart.
“That’s right,” Sybil chimed in. “There was not a single moment when we stopped loving or supporting you either, Sister. I only wish we could have brought you home with us.”
Nancy shook her head patiently.
“I have my late husband’s fortune to ensure that the estate affairs are handled properly and that I have everything I need,” she said. “There was no need to impose on my family.”
The viscountess took her eldest daughter’s hand.
“Darling, it would hardly have been an imposition,” she said. Only Rowena detected the hint of untruth in her mother’s eyes as she spoke. “You are always welcome back home, should the need arise.”
Nancy smiled again at her mother.
“I know, and I am so grateful,” she said. “But I am managing well enough. And it gets easier as time goes by.”
The viscountess smiled at her daughter again.
“I am so proud of you, dear,” she said.
Nancy blushed, turning her attention to Rowena.
“Speaking of pride,” she said, beaming, clearly ready for a change of subject, “I am very proud of you, as well, Sister.”
Rowena blinked, confused.
“Me?” she asked. “Why?”
Nancy laughed.
“Because you have decided to attend the Season,” she said. “I think it is wonderful. And I am sure you will enjoy yourself.”
Rowena struggled hard not to grimace. Of course, Nancy knew she would be taking part in the Season. Their parents would have told Nancy when they announced they were returning to London. Still, she had hoped to avoidthattopic during their visit with her eldest sister. She forced herself to muster a smile.
“Oh, I am quite looking forward to it,” she lied.
Rowena could see her mother tense up, but the viscountess said nothing. Rowena wished she could magically vanish into thin air. It was bad enough that she had to attend the Season and find a husband. She hated having to lie to her sisters about her reasons for it, as well.
“I knew you would be,” Nancy said excitedly. “Oh, did Mother tell you about the party I will be hosting in two days’ time?”
Rowena shook her head, her stomach twisting. She had been silly enough to think she wouldn’t have to rush straight into the Season’s events. She had hoped she might have some time to settle back into London before the parties and balls began.
Still, she supposed that her first event being hosted by her sister might make things easier. It was certainly better than starting with one held at a perfect stranger’s home. Or worse, at the home of someone who remembered the scandal with Jason.
“Oh, she didn’t mention it,” Rowena said, trying her best to keep any accusation or apprehension out of her voice. “But I am sure it will be lovely.”
Nancy nodded, grinning.
“I have been planning it for months,” she said. “Several of London’s prominent bachelors will be in attendance. I am sure you will have no shortage of gentlemen wanting to dance with you. You are so very beautiful, dear Sister.”
“Um, thank you,” Rowena said, swallowing a fresh wave of bile. After what her sister had been through, Rowena did not expect Nancy to remember what Jason had done to her. She had, after all, only been married shortly before, and none of the scandal had impacted on her.
But that wasn’t Rowena’s biggest concern: it was her certainty that none of the gentlemen at the party would wish to even glance in her direction. Even if Nancyhadforgotten about the scandal, Rowena knew the rest of thetonhad not. And those gentlemen who didn’t know wouldn’t want a twenty-two-year-old spinster for a wife. Still, she could not allow her sister to think she was unhappy about attending her party.
“I am very excited,” she said, feeling terrible for lying so blatantly.
