Page 14 of Thief of the Ton
“Dickie, don’t distress yourself.” Lady Betty helped him back into his armchair. “Perhaps I should leave.”
Papa lowered his voice to a whisper. “Betty, I cannot let you take the blame for my folly.”
“Neither can you waste your funds on an extravagant cake just for me, you fool!” Lady Betty hissed. Then she turned to Lavinia. “Forgive me, Miss de Grande. I assure you that your father won’t be wasting any more funds on me.”
“I wasn’t—” Papa began.
“Dickie darling…”
“Good God, woman!” Papa cried. “Why must you be such a damned martyr? I never asked it of you.”
“But…”
“The sooner my daughter learns about the world, the sooner she can ready herself for it.” Papa gestured toward Lavinia. “The world is populated by predators who lurk in the shadows of Society, ready to prey on the unsuspecting. Better she knows the truth. It was not the greed of a woman that reduced my circumstances—but the treachery of men.” He gave Lady Betty a smile of affection. “You have been my one true friend. I would not have anyone think badly of you—particularly my beloved daughter.”
Lavinia’s heart almost broke at the pain in his voice.
“Dickie, please don’t distress yourself,” Lady Betty said. “Your daughter’s too young to learn about the treachery of men.”
“But treacherous men exist,” Papa replied. “Do you think Lavinia will be protected from them merely because of her youth?”
“No, Dickie, she’ll be protected because she has people who love her and want the best for her. Those men cannot touch her.I’llsee to that.”
Papa leaned back and sighed. “She’s the image of my Lily.”
“I know, darling, but that blackguard won’t take any interest in her. He’s living out his days on the Continent, counting his riches.”
“Riches he stole from me. I—” Papa broke into another fit of coughing.
“Your fortune will be restored in no time, darling. Besides, wealth doesn’t make a man. You’ll still be a better man than most of my acquaintance.”
“I’ll wager you say that to every man who patronizes you, Betty.”
She let out a laugh. “I don’t, and well you know it. I might remark on their looks, or the cut of their jacket—but goodness is not a quality found among Society, and nor is it valued.”
Their words made no sense.
“What’s a blackguard?” Lavinia asked.
They turned toward her, their eyes widening as if they’d forgotten she was in the room.
“A—what?” Papa asked.
“A blackguard, Papa. You said it just now.”
“Your father didn’t mean anything in particular,” Lady Betty said. “He—”
“Earl Walton,” Papa said, his voice filled with venom.
The name was familiar, though Lavinia couldn’t place it.
“He’sresponsible for my downfall,” Papa continued, his face twisted with hatred. “I should have bloody shot him when I had the chance!”
“And where would that have got you?” Lady Betty asked.
“A damn sight more content than I am now, knowing that he and his friends stripped me of everything I valued.”
“What do you mean, Papa?” Lavinia asked.
