Harriet's heart stopped. Her mouth went dry. Jane was trying to get her attention by tugging on her sleeve, but she could not divert her focus.
“...were both present in the library. Duke Penhaligon claims a gentleman much the worse for wear from drink stumbled in and broke the vase in his staggering,” Lady Sullivan added.
“And his betrothed?” Agnes arched a brow, “Who is she, and what does she say? I have heard many tales of the Duke of Penhaligon, and he does not strike me as the most reliable of witnesses.”
Lady Sullivan slowed mid-stride, eyeing her companion oddly, then glancing back at Harriet.
“Why, his betrothed is your granddaughter,” she stated, frowning.
Jane gaped at Harriet, whose face had flamed into a bright blush.
“I did not think that I would be the one to tell you, Agnes,” Lady Sullivan said gently.
Agnes looked confused for a moment and then put a hand to her forehead as though suffering a moment's memory lapse.
“Sorry, Elizabeth. Did you say the Duke of Penhaligon? I must have utterly misheard and thought you were talking of a different gentleman entirely. Yes, of course, Harriet is currently engaged to him.”
Her eyes were sharp on Harriet's face. All eyes were on Harriet.
“Though, now that I think on it, I do find it curious why you claimed you were unable to attend, Harriet,” Lady Sullivan continued, more curious than suspicious.
“I—I attended briefly but saw none of the dancing and left early. A touch ofmal de tete,”Harriet said, “apologies, I thought Jane had told you.”
“I'm sure I did, Mama,” Jane protested, coming immediately to Harriet's aid.
Her mother rolled her eyes and turned away, resuming her promenade through the waving grass.
“Doubtless it was delivered in the usual breathless jumble, and I have misunderstood,” Lady Sullivan murmured. “So, how long have you been engaged to the Duke, Harriet? I was surprised to learn it has been kept neatly under wraps.”
“Not for very long. Very recently, in fact,” Harriet muttered, faintly.
This is beyond all tolerance! I refused to go along with his harebrained scheme, but find myself embroiled in it anyway. He has allowed people to believe the lie he told!
“Oh, you know how our Ralph can be,” Agnes said as though she were talking of something of no consequence at all. “I did not speak on it as Ralph has not made the official announcement yet. It seems that Penhaligon has preempted him. Though I suppose that is his prerogative.”
They resumed their meandering, eventually reaching a place near the gently babbling stream that bordered the village of Danbury to the south. The servants laid out a blanket and opened hampers to produce plates and cutlery as well as an assortment of cold cuts of meat, bread, cheese, and jam.
“I think Hattie and I will walk further on across the Overshot Bridge to work up more of an appetite,” Jane announced as the two older ladies were settling themselves on cushions. Harriet caught her grandmother's eye as she followed Jane. ThoughAgnes could not speak freely in front of Lady Sullivan, Harriet knew that an explanation would be required very, very soon.
She and Jane walked on, along the stream and towards the little stone bridge that carried the Priory road south to Bynacre Priory, just visible a mile in the distance.
Oh, Jeremy Cavendish! You have landed me in a pot of boiling water!
“Do not even think of telling me that you left the ball because you were fatigued or feeling unwell,” Jane hissed in a fierce whisper, “now that I know you became engaged that night. And to what a man! Handsome, yes. But reliable? Faithful? The man is a notorious rake, Hattie! What were you thinking!”
“I did not become engaged, and I will tell grandmama as such,” Harriet protested. “Ipretendedto be in order to avoid a scandalous situation."
“What could possibly be so scandalous to require that of you!” her friend demanded.
“I… I was...” Harriet blushed even deeper, hiding her face behind her hand, “I… was shackled to him,” she whispered, finally.
Jane looked at her blankly. Harriet held up her hand.
“I was quite literally chained to him, and before we could untether ourselves, we were discovered by our hosts and the Earl and Countess of Sutton,” Harriet explained.
Jane's jaw dropped and she laughed in disbelief.
“The priggishWinchesters? They must have been abed after witnessing such a sight! And how did you come to be chained to Penhaligon?”
