Page 50 of If the Duke Dares
“Which is precisely why I came to you,” Persephone said with a fleeting smile. She hated repeating what the baron and baroness had said to her, but couldn’t keep it secret, not when she had to decide what to do without their support. “They told me if I didn’t marry Wellesbourne that I would no longer have a place in their household. Why would I go home knowing that?”
Pandora sucked in a breath. “Oh, Persey, they are more monstrous than I ever imagined they could be. How can they treat you that way?”
There was no answer for that, so Persephone didn’t even try to provide one.
Aunt Lucinda let out a soft but very unladylike curse. “My brother is a great ass. Sometimes I can scarcely believe Hugh and I are related. I’m so glad you’ve come here, my dear,” she said to Persephone with a warm smile. “We’ll sort this out. Do you know what you want to do next?”
Persephone thought of her encounter with the headmistress at the West Gloucester Day School for Girls. “Not really, but I have been considering some things.”
“This isn’t right!” Pandora said. “You shouldn’t have to plan a future without support from our parents.”
Aunt Lucinda settled her calm gaze on Pandora. “It’s all right, dear. Neither Persey nor you will need to go off and find your way without help. Both of you will always have a place here.”
“Thank you,” Persephone murmured past the lump in her throat. She ought to have realized Aunt Lucinda would look out for them. But Persephone wondered if she was simply at a point where it was difficult to see past the pain of disappointment and lost expectation.
“I can’t stay here,” Pandora said sharply. She looked to Aunt Lucinda. “You are already suffering.”
Persephone looked from her sister to Aunt Lucinda. “What does she mean?”
Waving a hand, Aunt Lucinda looked unconcerned, which was completely at odds with Pandora’s demeanor. “Do I look like I’m suffering?” Her mouth tipped into a lopsided smile.
“You make light of it, but I’m a walking plague. No one wants to be around me, and you shouldn’t either.” Pandora stood and stalked from the room.
Persephone started to rise but Aunt Lucinda gestured for her to stay. “Let her be. She is not seeing things in the best light right now, which is to be expected. She’s had her world turned upside down. As have you. I really could smack my brother. I suppose we should let him and your mother know you are here.”
But then they would almost certainly come here, and Persephone didn’t want to see them. They would likely drag her back to Loxley Court. Or somewhere else she could be forced to marry someone who would satisfy their needs.
Not wanting to think about that, Persephone scooted forward on the settee. “Tell me the truth about what’s happening here with Pandora, please.”
Aunt Lucinda exhaled, and right away, Persephone could see that it wasn’t as rosy as their aunt would have Pandora believe. “It’s not going that well, I suppose. She’s only been here a handful of days, but the one time she left the house—the day after she arrived—she was given the cut direct on the street. She was, understandably, upset and hasn’t left the house since.”
Persephone’s heart ached for her sister. “It’s not fair. I’m sure no one is treating Bane like that.”
“Perhaps. He’s received a fair amount of criticism, particularly since he claims to be betrothed. No one knows who this other woman is, however.”
“Good. No betrothed gentleman should behave as he did.” Persephone couldn’t see Acton doing that, once again illustrating that there was a difference among rogues. Shades of roguery, she supposed. Refocusing on her aunt, she said, “Perhaps we should leave town for a while.” She thought of visiting Tamsin in Cornwall or Gwen in Bristol and immediately rejected the latter. It was too close to Bath and the gossip about Pandora was likely already there. Had it made its way to London? If so, Pandora would be well and truly ruined.
Persephone hoped Bane would suffer more than Pandora was bound to. Mayhap his betrothed would terminate their marriage agreement.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Aunt Lucinda said. “I’ve a friend in Kent we could stay with.”
“What if we went to our friend Tamsin in Cornwall?” Persephone suggested.
Aunt Lucinda’s eyes lit. “That’s a splendid idea. That would be good for Pandora. And for you.”
“You are always so kind.” Persephone stopped herself from asking why she couldn’t have been their mother. “Is it true that you aren’t affected by this?” Persephone would hate that. “And be honest, please.”
“I wasn’t lying when I said I wasn’t suffering. It doesn’t bother me to have fewer invitations. It also helps me see which people are my true friends.” Aunt Lucinda flicked a speck of something from her skirt. “That said, there are very few who would allow me to pay a social call along with Pandora. They’ve suggested that time needs to pass for the gossip to settle.”
But how much time? Would they need to stay away weeks or months? Years? Perhaps it was best if Persephone and Pandora faded into spinsterhood. They could find a cozy cottage in Cornwall near Tamsin. She lived in a rather remote place. No one would have heard of Pandora’s scandal.
Persephone didn’t want to think of it like that. This wasBane’sscandal.
The exhaustion of the day combined with worry about Pandora suddenly overwhelmed Persephone. “I think I need to retire. It’s been a very long journey.”
“Indeed it has.” Aunt Lucinda rose as Persephone did and gave her a quick but warm hug. “You’ve endured a great deal, both from your parents and whatever happened while you were gone. I can’t imagine there wasnothinginteresting or exciting to share.” She arched a brow at Persephone.
“Nothing you’d want to hear about,” she said cryptically. “Truly, everything went as well as one could hope. I am the same as when I left Radstock Hall.”
