“Already planning for my death?” Robert asked with faint sarcasm.
To his surprise, it was Miss Collins who answered.
“Every woman must be prepared for that, my lord. Our father would never dream of allowing a marriage contract that did not grant Audrey protection in her elderly years.”
Surprised and bewildered, Audrey thought upon her sister’s words, even as a tea tray was set before her and she began to pour. It was true, her father wanted to make sure she was taken care of, and she’d always assumed it was because he wantedmore property to control. But did he actually care about her future after he was gone? It was a novel concept.
“I do not need Father’s assistance in the contract,” Audrey said, holding out a cup and saucer to her sister, “since I am a widow who can retain her own lawyers. But I appreciate your sentiment, Blythe, and I agree with you.” To change the subject, she said, “Lord Knightsbridge tells me our engagement has become common knowledge in London.”
“Was it a secret?” Blythe asked.
Audrey could hear her surprise, and knew she had to tread carefully. She offered Robert his cup, then poured her own. “No, it was not. We were simply surprised he had received congratulations already.”
“I mentioned it at a dinner party,” she admitted. “People were taken aback that, so soon after returning to England, Lord Knightsbridge would commit himself.”
Audrey heard the suspicions Blythe didn’t bother to hide. Now that Blythe no longer thought she could win Robert for herself, she was not being as careful around him.
“Were they surprised you had a sister?” Robert asked coldly.
Audrey caught her breath. She tried to picture Blythe’s expression, but all she saw was the innocent little girl who’d once been her doll baby. “Robert?—”
“No, Audrey,” Blythe interrupted. “He has the right to say that if he cares about you. Yes, my lord, my London friends have always known I have a blind sister. What was so surprising to them was that you would offer marriage, when you’d only just returned, and it was obvious you had not known her in your youth.”
Audrey’s cup rattled briefly in the saucer as she lifted it to her mouth. Was Blythe worried about her, rather than simply jealous? Audrey wasn’t such a fool as to forget the jealousy, but maybe her sister had more complicated emotions than she’dever suspected. It gave her such a spark of hope that they could one day have a sisterly relationship, but she tamped it down, knowing it was too soon.
“Do you believe your sister unable to inspire my respect, admiration, and love?” Robert asked sharply.
“Perhaps you have other motives,” Blythe countered.
“Blythe, I have no great dowry or beauty, and I am blind,” Audrey said firmly. “I’m not sure there can be other suspicious motives. So let us put this argument behind us. Would you like a tour of my home before luncheon?”
“That would be lovely,” Blythe said stiffly.
As Audrey rose, she felt Robert touch her arm, and knew he was offering his guidance, but after their kiss and his open offer of a love affair, she was afraid she’d blush or stammer or forget herself, simply at his touch. So she concentrated on counting her steps and touching the occasional piece of furniture as they moved from room to room, and prayed the servants had not left something out of place. More than once, Blythe fell into her old habit of constantly warning Audrey about anything in her vicinity, as if Audrey usually blundered over everything. Of course, she’d recently blundered over a coal bucket and fallen off Erebus, things she wasn’t about to mention …
But Blythe did ask interested questions throughout, and Audrey found herself relaxing. When Blythe was shown to her room to change before luncheon, Audrey left Robert in the study and went to look in on Molly.
When she tried to feel Molly’s forehead, she touched her shoulder instead. “Ah, you’re propped up a bit higher in bed today,” Audrey said, feeling even more relieved.
“It makes my head pound, but I want to be up and about as soon as I can.”
“So anxious for me to work you to the bone?” Audrey smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Anxious to see what your sister is up to.”
“News travels fast.”
“Francis came to tell me.”
“Did he now?” Audrey asked, amused.
“This isn’t a good thing, Miss Audrey,” Molly said, her voice serious. “Why is she here, when she never had much use for you before?”
“She said she wants to see my home.”
Molly made a dismissive sound.
“It’s a good thing I don’t hold you to a maid’s subservience,” Audrey said dryly. “But also … she seemed concerned about Lord Knightsbridge’s motives, as if she might be trying to put her jealousy aside.”