Page 61 of A Gentleman's Reckoning
“I thought you had gone on a sudden trip north,” she said dully.
“So that is why you decided to raid my study?” He was stuffing the letters back in the drawer. When she offered no response, he lifted his eyes to hers.
“I was on my way but had forgotten something. I am leaving straight away and will be back in a fortnight. I trust I have made myself clear about going through my things.”
“Yes, Father.” Geny left the room.
There was no point in attempting a conversation or hoping for any sort of reconciliation with him. This would be the end of the matter. She would be expected to sweep any disagreements under the rug and continue as before. Fine, then. She would do so. But for the moment, she would also keep the news of Mr. Aubin’s infiltration of the orphanage to herself.
Geny sat quietly knittingnew stockings if only to keep her hands occupied. It was the only thing she could do to ease her mind, although her thoughts continued to jump erratically from one sorrow to another with no relief in sight. She had heard the sounds of her father’s departure earlier, and the gloom of the day oppressed her. Was it possible she could ever feel happy again when she had been betrayed by the man she loved, then again by her father whom she had respected and trusted—after she had just bid farewell to her brother, the only family member for whom she felt true affection?
There was a knock on the front door, and she was about to tell the butler that she was not at home, when she heard the sounds of Margery’s voice. It was unexpected at this hour, for Geny had thought she would be preparing for one of her mother’s many social engagements. She put down her knitting and stood, waiting for her friend to come into the room. Margery was all smiles until she caught sight of Geny’s face.
“What has happened, Geny?”
She waited until the butler left—he would know to send for tea—and allowed Margery to settle down and take off her bonnet. But then, because she didn’t know where to begin, she moved over to sit beside her, needing the comfort. Without a word, she rested her head on her friend’s shoulder.
Margery put her arm around her. “You are alarming me. Please tell me what has happened.”
“Mr. Rowles is indeed Mr. Aubin, as your Mr. Thompson had thought. He kissed me, all while working to expose my father for some corrupt dealing he thought him to have done. I told him to leave the asylum and never to come back.”
“Oh.” Margery said this on a quiet sigh.
“And before leaving, he accused my father of a litany of scandalous deeds, which I rejected outright,” Geny continued.
“Why, there is not a man in London with a more pristine reputation than the earl!” Margery exclaimed, indignant.
“Except that it turns out he was correct, at least in part.” Geny could not bear to speak even to her best friend about the things she had learned, but she had to let this truth fall.
After a moment, Margery tightened her embrace. “I am sorry.”
“And Matthew has just left.”
“So, in other words, a colossally bad day.” Margery pulled back to look at Geny, who now sat upright.
“Yes.” Her eyes filled with tears despite herself, but she went back to her own seat and lifted up her knitting, although she did not continue her project. She wiped her tears away and met Margery’s regard.
A maid entered, carrying the tea tray. She laid everything out and withdrew quietly. Geny stirred in the tea leaves and letthem steep as she held out the plate for her friend to take a cake. Margery shook her head.
“You don’t have to refuse out of sympathy for me,” she said.
Margery smiled in response. “I promise you, I am not.”
There was something in her voice, and Geny studied her face more closely. Although she was consumed with her own pain, it was evident that Margery was not acting quite herself. Apart from offering Geny some much-needed consolation, her best friend seemed nervous—and then she had refused the cake.
“Something has happened.”
Margery blushed and smiled enigmatically, but shook her head.
With growing conviction, Geny said, “Oh, but it has.” Suddenly, everything was clear. “Mr. Thompson has proposed, and you have accepted him.”
Margery covered her cheeks. “I did not want to tell you, not with the day you have been having.”
Geny looked at her with slight exasperation, despite being touched by her thoughtfulness.
“What do you mean? This news has redeemed the day. I am happy for you. And all this while, you were the one who said you would never marry. Now you are to be married first.”
She added silently,And perhaps will be the only one to do so.
