“You’ve made her believe this is all she can have,” Aunt Tabitha said, shaking Esther so hard that she felt her teeth rattle. “You’ve made her see that if she hopes for anything, someone more beautiful will come along and take it away from her!”
“No,” Esther whispered. “No, I never did that, Aunt Tabitha. I never took anything from Eugenia.”
“Unhand my daughter, Tabitha,” Esther’s father said. Esther was grateful for his intervention, but she also felt a little resentful. Why had he waited so long to say anything? Had he been content to see her harmed right before his eyes?
Doesn’t he care what happens to me at all?
Hugh had tried to put a stop to this. But her parents were simply watching, as though it had nothing to do with them at all.
Esther carefully extricated herself from Aunt Tabitha’s grip and stepped backward. She felt the solid presence of Hugh, his body behind hers, and was reassured.
Bolstered by Hugh’s presence, she spoke again, this time with more confidence. “I did everything I could to help Eugenia,” she said. “And that’s how I meant to go on. I had faith that she could have a successful Season, and that we could both find suitors to satisfy our needs. I wanted tohelpher.”
“But you wanted to make sure you got the best gentleman for yourself,” Aunt Tabitha said.
Esther shook her head. “I wanted the Duke, I won’t deny that.” She would never try to deny that again. She had learned the high price of keeping secrets. “But I spoke to Eugenia first, Aunt Tabitha. She didn’t want him. She told me she wasn’t interested.”
“She would never have done such a thing,” Aunt Tabitha hissed. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not lying,” Esther said. “I wouldn’t do that. Eugenia, tell her.”
Eugenia nodded. “That’s what happened, Mother,” she said. “I’ve never been interested in the Duke for myself. I encouraged Esther to pursue him, and she encouraged me to speak to other gentlemen.”
“This rivalry between the two of us,” Esther said, finding the courage to step forward a little. “It doesn’t exist, Aunt Tabitha. It’s not real. It’s entirely of your making.”
Her aunt reached out and slapped her across the face, hard.
A cry went up. Esther couldn’t tell whose voices she heard, only that it came from several different people. She stumbled backward, seeing stars, and felt Hugh’s steadying arms close around her.
“Enough,” Hugh said. “Enough. Are you going to do anything about this, My Lord?”
“What would you have me do?” Esther’s father responded, somewhat defensively.
Hugh was quiet for a moment.
“I can’t believe you have to ask,” he said quietly. “I shouldn’t have to answer that question. I shouldn’t have to tell you to protect your own daughter, My Lord.”
“She’s selfish,” Aunt Tabitha raged. “She’s a flirt, and she cares for no one besides herself. Of course her father is at his wit’s end with her! If you wantmyopinion, Adam, you ought to send her away.”
“Well, I don’t want your opinion,” Esther’s father said. “You have no right to tell me how to raise my daughter, any more than you would allow me to tell you how to raise yours.”
Esther was taken aback. Was her father actually standing up for her? Was he going to take her side against Aunt Tabitha?
“We sent Esther to London to find the best match she could,” her father said. “She has done that. She’s succeeded remarkably. And I won’t allow you or your daughter to ruin it for her. You’ll both be out of Cliffdall Manor this evening.”
“No, Father,” Esther said. “Eugenia has done nothing wrong. Won’t you listen?”
“Esther, go and tell the servants to ready a carriage to take your aunt and cousin back to London,” her father said.
“No,” Esther said. “Father, Eugenia came here to reunite me with the Duke. We can’t just send her away.”
“No,” Hugh agreed. His arms were still around Esther, shielding her carefully. “But wecansend Lady Harcourt away.”
“I beg your pardon?” Aunt Tabitha said, her voice low and dangerous.
“Leave,” Hugh said. “You’re not welcome here.”
Chapter 36