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Mr. Riley drew closer to the group. “Weren’t you involved in some action in the war?”
Why was the man finally addressing him, after ignoring him these weeks until now? “Yes.”
“Oh!” Seraphina eyed him doubtfully, then shrugged. “That is all well and good, but it still doesn’t explain what has happened.”
“The captain last night admitted to his real name.” Theodosia said in a low voice, crossing her hands on her lap. “The Bellinghams were most upset and felt themselves duped and came this morning to say so. They blame me, which is only fair, as I had advised him to keep incognito. I knew that if he did admit to his true identity, he would be inundated with invitations he had no desire for.” Her gaze finally shifted to him. “That is the sum of it, yes?”
“Yes. Please, Miss Stapleton, I never meant for you to be caught in the midst of this.”
“You cannot blame yourself. It was my suggestion.” Her gaze faltered, fell.
“Theodosia lying?” her sister said incredulously. “Will wonders never cease?”
“That’s enough from you,” her grandfather snapped. “Your sister is sorry, and the captain here is sorry. It seems we have a lot of regret here today.”
“Well, I can’t say that I do.” Seraphina tossed a plump curl over one ear.
“You should,” the general huffed. “Coming here without notice, never apologizing for the way you spoke about your sister all those years ago. You have behaved abominably.”
Theodosia glanced at her grandfather. “It is forgotten, sir.”
“Not by me, it ain’t. You”—he stabbed a finger at his younger granddaughter—“will never have the right to sit in judgment on your sister. I heard what you said about her—”
“Grandfather.” Theo’s cheeks pinked. “Please don’t—”
“—and the only reason I said nothing at the time was because I hoped someone as vain as you would get your comeuppance by marrying someone like him.” This last was emphasized with a finger at Roger Riley.
“I don’t know what you mean.” But Seraphina’s careless smile and voice held doubt.
“I shall not repeat it here, but let it be enough for you to know you best tread carefully with me.”
“I repeat that I do not know what you mean and suspect my dear sister has poisoned you against me. But then, she always has been jealous of me.”
Theodosia rose. “I have little wish to hear what else my sister has to say.”
“Yes, run away. Go pretend to be virtuous and dutiful. Always the dutiful daughter, aren’t you?” Seraphina scoffed.
“One of us had to be.”
Theo’s insides seemed about ready to perforate her skin with rage. How could her sister berate her—in front of the captain no less? If Theo did not leave, she would say things she would quite likely regret.
“Excuse me.” Without looking at anyone else, ignoring her mother’s soft plea, she hurried outside to where the friendly cluck of chickens suggested they expected her to feed them, as was her usual chore.
Her usual chore. Her usual duties. The dutiful daughter.
Her hands clenched. Is that how others saw her?
Tears pricked. “I’m sorry, ladies,” her voice held a quaver, “but I have nothing for you today.”
Nothing to offer. Nothing to give. No one to care about, save for those who depended on her. The dutiful daughter.
She didn’t resent this life. Shedidn’t. But oh, how she would like the chance to see a little more of the world, to know more than this village that now seemed to despise her, this village that would lay the blame of culpability on her far more quickly than impugn the captain. Blame the woman, excuse the man, that was the way of things here. Not for nothing had she lived here all her life and heard their gossip all her days.
She drew in a shuddery breath. She would not cry. She was braver than this, though her emotions felt as settled as a summer storm.
A footstep crunched on gravel behind her. Oh, she hoped it wasn’t the captain. She hoped she would never have to attempt to explain—
She turned. Seraphina. Looking anything but repentant.
