“It wasn’t a lie of confusion,” Cordelia added, her voice quieter, more brittle. “It was intentional. Malicious even.”
Hazel cut in before Cordelia’s rising emotion could take root. “We will tell you what we know, Your Grace, not for Lady Ashworth nor for curiosity’s reward but because we care for Evelyn. Deeply. And because, frankly, much of what we are about to say is no secret among theton. If you were more frequently among society, you might know it already.”
“I avoid society intentionally,” Robert replied. “I find it excels at saying much and meaning little.”
Cordelia gave a startled laugh then covered her mouth again. Hazel’s mouth twitched in what might have been agreement.
Robert said nothing to acknowledge the amusement. He simply waited.
The ladies exchanged another glance. Hazel’s brow lifted as if to ask silently:Shall I?Cordelia gave a small nod, but her fingers twisted tightly in her lap.
Robert observed it all.
Hazel began, her voice even. “You must understand something, Your Grace. Evelyn’s family… well, it’s not so simple as appearances might suggest. She and Matilda were very close once. But this closeness… it didn’t survive what happened.”
Cordelia broke in, her voice tight. “Their father arranged a match for Evelyn. A good one. Lord Laurence Ashworth, the Viscount of Forth. Evelyn was… radiant that year. She’d just come out, andhetook notice.”
“She was excited,” Hazel said with a rare flicker of emotion. “She told us in confidence that she thought herself in love. Believed she had been chosen.”
Robert’s brow furrowed, just slightly. “They courted?”
“For a few weeks,” Cordelia answered, “but quietly. They weren’t to announce anything until the banns were read. Lord Brimwood wanted it done properly with ceremony. But before the first Sunday came?—”
“They were gone,” Hazel said flatly. “Matilda and the Viscount. Gone to Gretna Green. Married before anyone knew what had happened.”
Robert was silent for a moment. Then, the weight of what he had just heard hit him. “She ran off with her sister’s betrothed.”
“Yes,” Hazel confirmed. “Her older sister. Who had never shown any interest in him until Evelyn did.”
Robert leaned forward slightly, his tone unchanged but his words clipped. “Did Evelyn know? That Matilda…?”
Cordelia shook her head quickly. “No. Never. She trusted Matilda with her life.”
“And her parents?”
“They claimed shock,” Hazel said with a trace of dry disdain. “Though Lady Brimwood took Matilda’s side within a fortnight. She said Evelyn must have misunderstood Lord Ashworth’s intentions. That Matilda simply acted boldly in love.”
Cordelia let out a bitter breath. “ItbrokeEvelyn—not that she ever said so—but she stopped speaking about the future. She refused other suitors, I think, not because they weren’t worthy but because she didn’t trust herself to believe anyone again.”
Robert’s hands tightened where they rested on the arms of the chair. Not enough to betray anger but enough that Hazel noticed.
“She has spoken none of this to me,” he said. He also understood why.
“She wouldn’t,” Hazel replied. “You’re a man. And she’s spent the last two years being told she’s foolish for still being hurt.”
“She is not foolish.”
Cordelia gave a tight smile. “You can tellherthat. Tell her it isn’t weakness to bleed where she was cut.”
Robert’s eyes met Hazel’s. “And you are certain she bears no feelings for Lord Ashworth still?”
Hazel’s mouth thinned. “None. She hates him. But she hates herself more for ever having wanted him.”
Cordelia nodded. “She doesn’t speak to them. She hasn’t written, hasn’t responded. She merely retreated.”
“As I’ve seen,” Robert said, almost to himself.
Cordelia looked at him carefully, like one examining a map for the safest path. “She may never trust easily again. But if there’s any chance at all, it would be with someone who sees her as she is now, not what she once hoped to be.”
