Alexandra rolled her eyes, and Natalie guessed she was angry. Mary stood to the side. She would not intervene because her business depended on theton’sgoodwill.
“I will remind you that Lady Phoebe's situation is by choice. She is wanted, you see…” Alexandra trailed off so the implication of her words hung heavy between them. Natalie swallowed the hurt constricting her throat, but Alexandra was relentless. “Or is it the Duke of Amsthorne you are after by befriending her?”
The mention of Jasper and the memory that passed quickly through her warmed her. The blush gave Alexandra the wrong notion, however, and her blue eyes sparked with vitriol.
“My goodness!” she exclaimed. “Itishim! You want the Duke!” She looked as though she could not believe it. “He would not look at you, much less give you any attention if you were the last woman in the world, Lady Natalie.”
Natalie found leverage then. “You are wrong, Miss Gilmore. You see, we danced last night, and I believe The Londoner carried the news.” Alexandra’s mouth fell open. “You did not see?”
“I left the ball early,” she said through clenched teeth.
Natalie looked around the shop, and when her gaze found the gossip sheet, she picked it up and handed it to Alexandra. “Good day, Miss Gilmore.”
She did not know where the strength to defend herself came from, but she never wanted to allow herself to be insulted again. Nodding at Mary, she left the shop, feeling better than she had in a long while.
Hannah had still not returned from her ride when Natalie returned home, but she found George in the drawing room. He was seated at a table, shuffling some cards.
He was excellent at cards, unbeatable even, and he was also an artist, who painted his cards himself. Everyone in their family was in possession of great talent. It was just unfortunate that fate tried them. The liquor in a glass beside him told her that something was bothering him more than usual.
“May I join you?” she asked from the doorway.
“Of course, Natalie.”
She sat on his right and touched his arm. “You can talk to me. You know that, do you not?”
He gave her a warm smile. “And have you worry excessively?”
“I am stronger than I look, George.”
He set the cards down and took both of her hands. “Your father said the same thing when he asked me to look after you. I have no doubt in your strength, but I have no wish to burden you.”
“You will not burden me, George,” she reassured him. “You will instead share what troubles you. I am sure you will feel better if you do.”
George sighed. “If you insist. Oliver made numerous investments abroad with funds from our coal mining business. The factory is short of funds, and we hardly gain anything from our share.” Anger simmered in her chest, and she clenched her teeth. “We might have to find a small cottage in the country and leave town.”
Natalie blinked furiously. Oliver had taken everything from them, and he was still taking more. When will he stop? When they were completely penurious and begging on the streets? “Viscount Wessberg might be courting Hannah,” she said to brighten the grim atmosphere.
“A courtship is not an offer,” George sighed.
“But we can hope. For Hannah’s sake, we should wait until we know the Viscount’s true intentions.”
“You are right, as always.” George managed a smile. “I do feel better after telling you, and your advice is invaluable.”
“I am glad I could help. Perhaps we can lessen the household further. I think one maid and a footman are enough. I can manage the house without the housekeeper.”
“Quite so,” he agreed. “I will give it some thought.”
Natalie dearly hoped that Wessberg would marry Hannah. Once she secured a match, Natalie could leave London with George. Life in the country would be fairer and better for her. Her cousin would be healthier, too.
He released her hands and stood, looking down dolefully at her. He looked gaunt and pale, and her heart ached.
“I will go to the club now,” he said. She knew he was seeking a distraction from their troubles.
Fresh anger boiled in her blood. Natalie still blamed Jasper but perhaps she should focus her rage on Oliver, too. After all, he was the one who extorted them. One or both of these men had to pay.
Chapter 11
The Masked Rogue was not allowed in establishments as fine as White’s and Brooks, but there are clubs on the fringes that welcome him. We must never allow such a man to truly be a part of us. But what if he is a gentleman? This certainly would change everything.
