“There’s nothing about them in this one,” Sophia said, casting aside the latest edition ofThe Morning Herald.“It’s like they hate money. That’s what my father said. The whole ton will be waiting to see the story in print. Any paper that doesn’t feature it will be missing out on a mountain of cash.”
Margaret elbowed Sophia and shot Anna a cautious look. “We’re not doing this for our entertainment,” she said. “We need to see what they are saying about Anna and the duke so she can prepare herself to navigate society again once she is ready.”
“She will be a duchess by that time,” Sophia argued, reaching forThe Morning Post. “Anna will never have to worry about what people think of her again. She will be able to pursue her music in peace, will have to answer to no one.”
“If that were true, then the Duke of Wells, due to his rank, would be above reproach too. And we all know that’s not true,” Lucy said from behind them. She returned to the sofa with an armful of books and began sifting through them. “People will talk behind anyone’s back so long as there is fun in it. No one is safe.”
“… and that’s when the heroine leaps from the balcony, and…” Helena poked Anna’s arm to get her attention. “You’re not listening at all.”
“I am,” Anna lied, her eyes lingering on the open broadsheets covering her mother’s carpet. “I was only…” She set down her tea, her heart racing. “Could we put those away? I don’t want to know what they’re writing about us. It won’t help. Looking at them is making me feel sick.”
“Sorry.” Sophia grimaced and began tidying her mess. “I still can’t believe we’re going to be friends with a duchess. Have youseenCharleton Manor? It’s one of the biggest houses in London. You’ll have a room for reading, a room for all your clothes, a room for your shoes… and as many lady’s maids as you’d like.” She smirked, flipping a blonde ringlet from her face. “Maybe Helena could come and be your paid companion. Then, she would be released from the marriage mart for good.”
Helena’s eyes lit up in delight, and Anna quickly scooted away from her.
“That’s, erm…” Anna stammered, searching for an excuse. “That’s certainly…”
The butler appeared at the door, saving her from Helena’s pleading eyes. Anna hopped to her feet and asked who had come.
“Your cousin, my lady. Miss Alicia Walford.”
The drawing room fell silent. Sophia’s mouth hung open as she turned to Margaret. “Do you suppose she heard about the engagement?” she whispered.
Anna ignored her friends. She and Alicia hadn’t parted on the best of terms. Had Alicia come to make amends, now that Anna was engaged to be married?
“I’ll see her in the Garden Room. Stay here,” she told her friends. She followed the butler out, but not before stopping to add, “And don’t eavesdrop. I’ll know if you do.”
She closed the door for good measure before leaving.
Alicia stood in the entrance hall. Her coat was a size too big, pooling around her waist in an unflattering way. Her hair had been neatly coiffed, but her face was pale and thin, as if she hadn’t slept for days.
It couldn’t have been easy, leaving her career behind. Anna had heard whispers that George was now Alicia’s benefactor. Judging from her outdated attire, he was holding the purse strings tightly.
When Anna greeted Alicia with a hug, her cousin was cold and limp in her arms. The Garden Room was on the other side of the house. It cast over the grounds, emitting a gray light through the windows. Anna called for tea, sending the butler away, suddenly anxious at being left alone with her cousin.
“Your butler said that your father is out,” Alicia said, removing her gloves but keeping her coat on. “I would never have come inside otherwise. How long do you expect him to be gone?”
“I’m not sure.” Anna sat in one of the armchairs by the hearth and motioned for Alicia to sit opposite her. Her cousin remained on her feet. “I haven’t seen him for a day and some.” She couldn’t bring herself to say what had happened, not until she gauged how much Alicia knew. “He’s cross with me.”
“That doesn’t surprise me if what I’ve heard is true.” Alicia turned around with a hand on her hip. “And it is true, isn’t it? You’re actually marrying the Duke of Wells.”
Anna pressed her lips together. “I am.”
“Of course, I also heard how it happened. You and him, and that affair at the Ratley ball. If it had been anyone else, I would have laughed. But you? Why would you put yourself in this situation? Do you love him?”
There was no question about whetherhelovedher. Everything had to be Anna’s fault, in Alicia’s eyes. Her cousin had courted Philip once. She must have known what he was and wasn’t capable of, how much he hated marriage. But her tone wasn’t protective. It was condemning, as though Anna had done something unforgivable.
“I understand why you’re upset,” Anna said, rising to her feet. “You are trying to make your way back into society, and now your family has been thrown into a scandal. I would be upset, too, if I were in your shoes. But I promise, I never?—”
“You evidently don’t know the first thing about me, so don’t pretend that you know how I’m feeling. We’ve been apart for so long. A few letters here and there don’t really constitute a relationship, do they? I’ve changed. You’ve changed. More than I ever thought.” Alicia guffawed, marching past Anna and slumping into the chair beside her. “I am so far removed from this family that the only thing connecting us is our name. What you do with your life won’t reflect on me regardless of how ill-advised it is.”
“Then tell me what you are feeling, if you’re so sure I’m wrong.”
“Angry with you, primarily, and worried second to that. Of all the men in London, you had to play this trick with him? Had I not made it clear that I was hoping to reconnect with Philip myself? Surely George mentioned my interest in him.” Alicia threw her hands up in the air. “But you must have chosen not to listen.
“You’re too naive, Anna. I suppose that’s why Philip asked for your hand. You made him feel like he had to because you’re defenseless. And I’m sorry if that sounds harsh. It’s not like anyone can blame you for that. Look at your father and what he has done to you. I’m saying it for your own good. The Duke of Wells is going to walk all over you.”
Anna’s lips parted in shock. Her cousin had never spoken to her like this before. In their childhood, Alicia had been a warm, inspiring figure in Anna’s life. Anna had only ever wanted to please her. It hurt that Alicia could think for a second that Anna had done something to spite her on purpose and that she couldn’t take care of herself.
