Jane took a moment to absorb this before she replied in a cautious tone, “Is this change of heart because of Lord Ashton?”
Della wanted to refute the suggestion immediately. If he took the blame for her decision, Jane might hate him. But the truth was far more complicated.
Ashtondidhave something to do with it. Not because he’d persuaded her to adopt his own views on gambling; rather, it was because she couldn’t help but think of his example alongside ladies like Mrs. Muller, and it had put a sharp sense of regret in her heart where once there had only been a very thoughtless sort of joy. She hadn’t understood there was a darker side to their club—either because the example hadn’t been held up before her nose until now, or because she hadn’t wanted to see it.
“I’ve heard about what he did,” Jane continued when Della didn’t reply. “Surely you don’t think anything like that could happen at Bishop’s. We would never allow it. Just because he made a poor decision doesn’t mean we should—”
“I know that,” Della said. “It isn’t because of Lord Ashton. But my own feelings on the matter have changed. When we were first starting out, I was so excited to build something with you and there was so much work to do that I never really stopped to consider any of the unpleasant bits. And now that I have, I just—” She broke off, not sure how to finish. The words made her feel like such a failure. “I’m not sure I have what it takes to run the club the way we should.”
Jane’s distress was written plainly on her face. “Are you saying you want to sell your portion? I–I don’t think I can come up with the funds to buy out your initial investment.”
“No!” Della reassured her. “You don’t need to repay me anything. You know I can spare the money. And I’m not saying I wouldn’t help at all. But maybe…maybe we could try something like you talked about for Cecily? A trial period, where I reduce my responsibilities a little.”
Jane appeared shaken, but she took a deep breath to steady herself. “If you’resurethat’s really what you want and not just an idea that Lord Ashton has put in your head.”
“It isn’t!” she protested.
“I know you’ve been spending a lot of time together recently. And you know how you tend to get carried away with new things. I don’t want to meddle, but I do worry about you. He isn’t safe, Della.”
“You don’t know him,” she replied. “He’s very kind and proper. You actually have that in common with him. If only you could have a bit more time to become acquainted, I’m sure you’d like him very much.”
Jane appeared to be holding her tongue with considerable effort. “If he’s important to you, I shall try to respect your choice,” she said evenly, “but I’m sorry to say I don’t think he’s the sort of person Icouldget to know better. He’s an adulterer. Heabandonedhis poor wife—”
“Have you been talking to Cecily?” Della interrupted. “She doesn’t know the full story.”
“I don’t need to talk to Cecily. It’s in the papers. Haven’t you seen it? His wife has sued him in Consistory Court.”
It’s already in the news?But of course it would be. She should have thought to check for herself.
“Do you have a copy?”
“Yes, of course.” Jane rang for her Molly and asked her to fetch the paper for them from Eli’s study. A moment later, she’d found the law report section and set it before Della.
CONSISTORY COURT—Lady Ashton v. Lord Ashton
Lady Ashton brings a suit for divorce a mensa et thoro against his lordship by reason of adultery and intolerable cruelty. Mr. Clinton appeared as counsel for the lady. No counsel appeared for Lord Ashton, who was absent. Proof that a citation had been duly served upon his lordship was provided by Lord de Villiers, brother to Lady Ashton. A libel had been brought in containing twenty articles and evidence from three witnesses who establish full proof of the offense. The marriage was celebrated on April 3, 1830. The parties lived most happily together near Whitchurch, in the county of Bucks, for three years. There was nothing to create the smallest suspicion in the mind of Lady Ashton that her husband’s conduct was anything less than becoming of a gentleman of his rank and status in society until the spring of 1833, when the lady was shocked to discover that he had accumulated gambling debts in such an excess as to bring about his utter ruin and the loss of his estate. Lord Ashton then abandoned his wife and took up residence in London to pursue his vices, leaving the lady to seek refuge in her father’s house. Lord Ashton did not perform any of the usual duties of a husband or see to his wife’s comfort. Testimonies were provided from an acquaintance of Lord Ashton and a former maid of his house who had witnessed such indiscretions between his lordship and other women as to conclude that he had committed adultery. As there was no opposition to the suit, the court agreed that in light of the proof of adultery, abandonment, and gross financial profligacy of Lord Ashton, the lady should have the relief sought and therefore pronounced for the divorce.
So it was already over. At least this stage. Della returned to the start of the story and read it a second time, lingering on the part where it said that Lord Ashton hadn’t attended the hearing to make any defense to the claims against him. How could he bear to let everyone think him a villain without even attempting to explain? It made her quite indignant on his behalf.
When Della finally set the paper aside, she found Jane watching her with an expression caught halfway between sympathy and conviction. The very gentlest form ofI told you so, which was just as aggravating as any other kind.
She had been influenced against him, just as anyone reading the story must be.
Jane spoke slowly, as if afraid that the words might hurt more if she delivered them at a normal pace. “I know this must come as quite a shock…”
“It doesn’t,” Della cut in. “He warned me this would happen.”
“All of it? You knew what he’d done and it didn’t matter to you?”
“He and his wife were very unhappy, and they parted ways years ago. I don’t understand why we’re pretending we don’t know dozens of people like that. The only difference is that Lady Ashton wants her freedom back, so the story has reached the courts instead of remaining a subject of whispers. That hardly makes him a villain. Would you judge Mrs. Duff if she decided to live apart from her husband, when we all know how he behaves?”
“Mrs. Duff didn’t gamble away herhouse,” Jane returned.
“Nine years ago! He hasn’t gambled since then. He regrets it deeply.”
“Fine.” Jane raised her hands in surrender. “Let’s say you’re right. There are plenty of people who are unlucky in their choice of a spouse. Perhaps Lord Ashton has truly reformed, whatever might have happened in the past. You know him better than I do, to be able to judge.”
“Ido,” Della agreed emphatically.
