The shock registered on Kenneth’s face as he processed her words. Before he could fully comprehend the situation, his gaze shifted, catching sight of Judith standing in the shadows behind Joanna. She’d been concealed from sight, but now she stared at him with slightly parted lips.
“Lady Judith, what brings you here?” he asked sharply.
Joanna stepped protectively in front of Judith, a clear indication that their friendship still held weight in her eyes.
So, whatever Lady Judith told her has been received as intended…
“Leave, Kenneth. Judith has come here to tell me the truth—something I will always be grateful for.”
“The truth?” Kenneth thundered. “Was it indeed the truth you told, or more Canterbury tales?”
Joanna’s visage darkened as Judith took a step back, acting as though she were frightened of him.
“You are the liar, Kenneth!” Joanna shouted. “And I will not have you come here and insult my guest.”
“I am no liar. What did she tell you? Certainly not the truth, or you would not be acting as you’re doing now,” he retorted. “I did not kiss her. I know that is what you think you saw, but it was the other way around. She forced herself on me.”
Joanna scoffed, but before she could say another word, Lord Carlisle and Sally entered the room. Kenneth turned around, blinking in confusion until he remembered that Lord Carlisle had been scrambling to find a carriage to take them back, since he hadn’t been willing to wait for them.
“Father?” Joanna said, her eyes narrowed. “Sally?”
From behind them, Rosy’s protests rose, along with Lady Carlisle’s softer voice. “I do not want to. I am not a child, Mother. If everyone can hear what is going on, then why can’t I? Why is everyone keeping secrets?”
But then, Rosy’s footsteps faded, as did the sound of her protests.
“Father, what is happening? Why are you all back from the ball so early?” Joanna demanded while Sally stared at Judith.
“What has she said?” Sally asked.
Joanna’s head snapped toward her sister. “She told me what happened in the library. Kenneth forced himself on her—kissed her against her wishes,” she explained. scoffed.
“I did no such thing,” Kenneth insisted..
Joanna’s gaze was icy as she faced him, a stark contrast to the sweet, kind smile usually reserved for him. “Kenneth, there’s nothing left to say. I certainly do not want to hear more lies. Please, leave.”
Kenneth felt like the ground had crumbled beneath him. He couldn’t believe what had transpired. The room seemed to close in on him.
Was this the end? Was he really being dismissed, never to see her again because of the lies of some wench?
“Joanna, I think you need to give him a chance to explain,” Lord Carlisle interjected.
Joanna glared at her father with all the fire of ten suns in her eyes. “Of course, you side with him. You men are all the same. You ought to have a club together. A cheaters’ club. You could be president,” she hissed, and Lord Carlisle staggered back as if she slapped him.
“What? What do you mean?” Sally asked.
Kenneth squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. This evening was revealing far more than he’d ever thought possible.
“I mean that our father cheated on our mother,” Joanna snapped.
Sally turned to the Earl, looking horrified. “You… You cheated on Mother?” Her tone wavered between accusation and disbelief.
Kenneth felt as though he were a spectator, watching a play about someone else’s life that he’d stumbled upon by accident.
Lord Carlisle’s face paled. “Sally, Joanna, please, let me explain,” he stammered.
But Joanna, fueled by a surge of emotions, wasn’t ready to listen. “Explain? Like how Kenneth tried to explain? Like how you defended him, just as you’re trying to defend yourself now?”
Sally, caught in the crossfire, looked at her father with a mix of shock and disappointment. “Father, is it true?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
