“My dear girl!” the older woman said, coming close and lowering herself to the bed before taking Marjorie’s hand gently in her own. “Is it true? You’re feeling somewhat better?”
“I… I am, I believe!” she replied, still wondering. “I cannot thank you enough for the care I’ve been given.”
“Nonsense! Think nothing of it and do not let it trouble you!” Lady Lanercost said, smiling broadly. “I’m only relieved that you are going to recover!”
“All because of you and your hospitality, My Lady,” she answered. “But please let me know when my sister and I can be done with your house so that we might not inconvenience you any further.”
“I shall not hear of it!” the woman replied, feigning indignation. “You shall stay right where you are until the physician declares you fit to return home! I will not have you leave this house a second sooner!”
A flash of something that pained the woman crossed her features, and it did not escape Marjorie’s notice. Still, the woman smiled genuinely and gave her hand the gentlest pat.
“Could I hope that you might be hungry?” she inquired sweetly. “Even something small, just a little broth perhaps?”
Marjorie was surprised that she was suddenly hungry, and she nodded gratefully.
“I will see to it myself!” Lady Lanercost said firmly, rising from the bed quickly. “I’ll fetch it straight away!”
The door didn’t have time to close behind her before Harriet entered again, this time followed by Diana. Marjorie was surprised to see her maid, but relieved as it meant that all of her care had not fallen to her sister.
“My Lady! I almost didn’t believe it when Harriet said you’d awakened! I couldn’t let myself hope for so much!” Diana cried, rushing to the bedside and looking Marjorie over carefully.
“I’m feeling much better, I assure you,” Marjorie replied, smiling sweetly. “But I would so like to know what’s happened. When can I return home?”
Harriet and Diana exchanged a quick glance, and it didn’t escape Marjorie’s notice. She looked at both of them, ignoring their thinly-veiled, plastered smiles.
“What is it?” she demanded. “Is it… am I invalid now?”
“What? Oh no!” Harriet answered quickly, seeing her sister’s distress. “I mean, that is to say that you must recover more fully, and you do have some pains that will take time to heal. But no, Dr. Garret expects you to be well in no time!”
“Then what is troubling the both of you?”
Harriet hesitated, and Diana finally said she would take her leave so the sisters could speak freely. When the door was shut and Harriet was certain they were alone, only then did her tears pour.
“Marjorie, everything is ruined!” she cried quietly, trying not to be overly emotional. “His lordship the Earl has been accused of theft, and he in turn has accused Father of all manner of horrible actions! Father has taken to the city, presumably to speak with his solicitors, while the Earl has quietly fumed. To the younger man’s credit, he has not slandered Father’s name in the ton, which I almost wish he would!”
“Harriet! I’m surprised at you!” Marjorie said, shocked by her sister’s confession.
“Not that I wish Father this kind of ill-will, but only in that he has been telling anyone who would listen that Lord Lanercost is a lowly horse thief, and that his vast fortunes must therefore have been the fruits of ill-gotten crimes!”
Harriet openly wept, and her words left Marjorie reeling from the shock of it. How long could she have possibly been under the effects of the physician’s ministrations if these tales had had time to take root!
Marjorie’s head began to throb, and Harriet offered to call for the doctor once more. She shook her head though it pained her further to do so. She need not be sent to sleep again, but rather stay awake and make this right.
“Dear sister, I’m afraid I’ve saved the worst news for last,” Harriet said quietly, reaching to take her sister’s hand. “If what I tell you is too much for you to bear, please let me call for Dr. Garret. Marjorie… the Duke of Fenworth has cancelled your engagement.”
She paused for Marjorie to take in the news, but her sister was oddly silent. Marjorie showed no emotion as she pondered what this would mean for them. Ultimately, in the face of such damning statements about their father, this was not the cause for tears.
“Did you not hear me, Marjorie?” Harriet asked.
“I heard you. Sadly, I find that I don’t actually care. I would have made the best of things had the marriage gone forward, but I’m not at a loss now, either.” Marjorie gave her a peaceful, reassuring glance, but Harriet was still clearly troubled.
“But… but what will people say?” Harriet said, practically whispering.
“I don’t care about that, either,” Marjorie answered. “Besides, what people, exactly? With Mother’s passing all these years ago and Father’s mounting debts, people whispering behind their fans as we enter a room do not upset me the way it might have in the past.”
“But that’s precisely why this is so devastating!” Harriet answered, wringing her hands. “These accusations, the loss of Father’s fortune… our reputations are the sole guide of our ability to marry well, they’re all we have to keep us from starvation!”
“That is rather dramatic,” Marjorie said, trying to smile. But Harriet was right. “Besides, I should rather think—”
