Page 41 of Forgetting the Earl
“That isn’t true.” Honora’s lovers hadallbeen imaginary. And because they’d been made up, she’d never once mentioned anyone’s name to Loretta.
Yes, but someone has.
“Revenge for some imagined slight he did you years ago.” She nodded triumphantly to Honora. “Oh yes. I know all about that now. My poor Dalward. Induced to offer for you out of pity.”
“And copper mines,” Honora said sharply.
“Southwell must hate joining a game of cards, never knowing if the gentleman he’s sitting across from has bedded you.” She picked up her tea, shooting Honora a satisfied glance over the rim. “But he does now. I’ve made sure of it, you scheming strumpet.”
Honora once again glanced to the empty plate and teacup sitting on the table. She’d been so certain that nothing and no one could destroy her happiness with Gideon.
Except this horrid old woman could. And probably Lord Tarrington.
“Get out of my house.” Loretta thumped her hand so hard on the table one of the plates fell to the floor.
Loretta had never shown Honora any kindness. Had offered no comfort. The fact that her son had taken advantage of Honora after what Tarrington had done was reprehensible but, in Loretta’s mind, somehow justified. They’d meant to lock her away, and her parents would have allowed them to.
“I’ll be writing to Winifred today.” Honora stood and strode to the door, unease over Gideon gnawing away at her.
“Why?” Loretta pulled her black skirts around her, like a bat wrapping its wings.
“Because I’ve decided to sell this house and everything in it. You’ve reminded me there are no fond memories to keep me here.” Honora watched as Loretta sputtered. “I’d hate for you to be put out on the street.”
The howl that met her ears, like something evil being put to rest, echoed loudly in the drawing room until Honora shut the door behind her.
Chapter Seventeen
Honora walked swiftlyabout the garden, making a neat circle among the trees. She’d sent a note to Gideon immediately after the heated discussion with Loretta and received only a blunt, vague response from his secretary that he was busy with estate business but would call on her soon.
That had been two days ago.
One, two, three, four.It took seven paces to circle the weeping willow.
At first, Honora wanted to believe it was merely business that kept Gideon from her, but as time dragged on, she was forced to face the fact that he wasn’t going to call. Or send her a note. Anxious and worried, she’d almost convinced herself she was the victim of yet another prank. One in which Tarrington had exacted revenge by using Southwell.
Footsteps echoed on the stone path, and Honora looked up, hoping it was Gideon, but it was only Emmie, garbed in her usual dark colors, stomping toward Honora. It felt like a lifetime since she’d accompanied her cousin to Lady Trent’s ball, instead of only a few days. “Emmie.”
“Thought I was someone else, perhaps?”
Honora nodded. “Hoping.” She gave her cousin an apologetic smile. “I am glad to see you regardless.”
Her cousin’s face was pinched. Worried. “You won’t be happy after I tell you why I’m here. I’ve just had a visit from your mother, an experience that is never welcome. She has to be the most desperate of creatures to seek me out.”
Honora’s mother disliked Emmie, though she was her niece. This could in no way be good.
“She interrogated me,” Emmie bit out, “for nearly an hour on your scores of lovers, wanting to know if I helped you arrange your indiscretions, including the one you supposedly had in the carriage on the way to Lady Trent’s ball.”
“You were the only other person in that carriage.” Honora shook her head. “What tripe. I don’t have scores of lovers.”
I have one. Just one.Her heart constricted painfully at the thought of Gideon.
“Your pretend lovers, all of whom have been named, are not denying the association. One claims to be the gentleman in the carriage.” Emmie rolled her eyes. “She didn’t tell me which one.”
This is very bad.If Honora’s mother assumed she was entertaining dozens of lovers, it meant all of London did as well. Gideon would hear the gossip and be hurt by it.
“I’m to inform you that your parents will not receive you. Nor will Marianne. Can’t imagine you’re too distraught about that. Your sister is such a righteous little prig. She sat by your mother and twittered that she always imagined you’d come to a bad end one day.”
The family’s rejection of her still stung even now that she knew they would have allowed Culpepper to put her away.
