“It’s serious enough that he’s been drowning himself in spirits ever since the Stewart ball,” Selena said.
Deerhurst had been drinking?
It’s none of your business, Phaedra. And it wasn’t. He’d been the one to betray her, not the other way around. Still, curiosity blossomed in her breast.
“How do you know this?” Phaedra asked.
“Warrick told Avondale, who told Ophelia, who told me,” Harriet said.
“My brother has been drowning himself with Deerhurst, that’s how I know,” Selena said.
Phaedra blinked.
“It seems like it was serious for him,” Harriet said softly.
Phaedra furrowed her brows. “Is that why you are here, to plead his case?”
“We are here to see how you are holding up, nothing more,” Selena said. “Apparently, Warrick told Avondale who told Ophelia who told Harriet that Deerhurst is in love with you. We naturally assumed you felt the same way and might be feeling a bit glum, so we decided to come cheer you up.”
“It’s more complicated than that,” Phaedra said slowly, her mind still working through that mouthful of words.
“Seems quite simple to me,” Lady Harriet chirped.
“Youare in love with your husband,” Selena said with a scowl. “Your opinion doesn’t count.”
“People in love cannot have an opinion?” Harriet asked incredulously.
“People in love want the entire world to be in love as well.Andbecause your husband had no part in the list or the wagers.”
Harriet snorted. “My husband isn’t entirely blameless. He took gross advantage of those wagers. And trust me, I am not in love with him.” Her gaze narrowed. “Have you not forgiven your brother?”
“Forgiven? Hah! We called a truce after he told me the Duke of Mortimer suspects the betting book is in our hands and plans to find out whose.”
“The Duke of Mortimer?” Phaedra asked.
“He called on me yesterday,” Harriet said, shivering. “The man has the awful ability to intimidate with one look. I began to ramble about drapes and carpets almost immediately. Had it not been for Leeds, I’m sure I might have blurted something incriminating.”
“Mortimer called on Ophelia a few days ago as well. Set Avondale off in a fit. We came to warn you, he might be knocking on your door next.”
Dear Lord.
Because Phaedra had the book. Selena had given the book to her after she had made copies of the pages because she didn’t trust her brother not to snoop through her things. “What happens if he discovers I have it?”
“He might ask for it back nicely?” Harriet said. “He said there will be no consequences if the book is returned to the club.”
That made Phaedra want to hide the book all the more.
“And you believe that?” Selena said. “Since our theatrics at the Stewart ball, as my brother so prettily put it, he’ll probably threaten to involve Bow Street if we continue to go against him.”
“Perhaps that is why he is approaching the ladies who are attached to it first,” Phaedra murmured in thought. “Besides, he can’t know for sure we have the book.”
“If that’s the case then we can probably assume he’d approach Louisa next,” Selena said.
“Why is that?” Phaedra asked, a dreadful suspicion forming.
“Her father is arranging a husband for her as we speak,” Selena confirmed. “She’s fighting him every step of the way, but in the end, she might not have a choice.”
“Knowing Louisa, she’ll come out at the top,” Harriet said.
