And Ashton.He’d worried over how long she’d been away, while she’d laughed it off. How different everything looked now.
“What are you saying?” Mrs. Danby drew up in offense. She certainly hadn’t been happy at the outset of this conversation, but there hadn’t been any real anger in her voice either. Until now. “That this is somehowmyfault? For heaven’s sake, Della, you’re six-and-twenty. I thought you had enough sense to keep yourself out of trouble.”
“You’re right,” Della conceded. “I’m sorry I’ve embarrassed you. But I do wish you’d asked about me once in a while.”
Her mother’s face went pink and splotchy. “Of course I ask about you! I’m right here anytime you want to talk to me. Why do you make it sound as though I’ve done something wrong?”
How can I answer that?There was no point in upsetting her mother any further, especially when she’d already caused so much grief. But it hurt all the same, to think of all the times she’d been left to handle things on her own even when she might still have needed a little help. And when she’d gotten it wrong, she was to be sent away.
For you to manage your own lives.Well, she hadn’t managed her own life very well, now had she? And soon she would be utterly alone.
A knocking and the sound of footfalls downstairs told Della that someone was on their doorstep. A moment later, their butler stoodrespectfully in the hall outside her room and announced that Miss Chatterjee and Mrs. Williams were downstairs asking for Della.
“Why should they call at this hour?” Mrs. Danby asked, indignant. “It’s far too early. Tell them we’re still having breakfast.”
“No,” Della cut in. “Please let me see them, Mama. I only need a minute to get dressed.”
Mrs. Danby shook her head and sighed, looking exasperated. “I suppose it can’t make things any worse. We’ll finish talking about this after my hair is curled.”
Once their mother had gone, Della rang for her maid and got dressed as quickly as she could manage. Her sister stayed by her side even once she’d gone downstairs to meet her guests. Della didn’t have the heart to send her away. Annabelle seemed more upset about her fate than she did.
As it turned out, Reva and Jane were equally distraught. They both looked as if they’d been crying.Don’t worry, Della wanted to say.I’m fine. See?
But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. They might think her delusional.
“We saw what they’ve written about you.” Jane swept her into a tight hug. “You mustn’t panic. We’ll find a way to sort this out.”
“I’m not panicking,” Della assured her, the words muffled by Jane’s shoulder.
Her friend released her and gave her a once-over. “No, I suppose you aren’t. How are you so calm?”
“I’m not sure,” Della admitted. “I suppose it doesn’t feel quite real yet.” The fact that she’d only had ten minutes to contemplate her fate since her mother stormed in with theTimesthis morning probably had something to do with it. No doubt she would fall apart later.
“You should sue the papers for defamation,” Reva suggested. “Make them print a retraction.”
“Oh,there’san idea,” said Annabelle excitedly. “That’s just the thing. Mount a counterattack.”
“Do we know any barristers?”
“Maybe Mr. Bhattacharya could help…”
Watching them, Della was overcome by a wistful regret.Look at them all.Their plan was doomed, of course—she’d done everything Mr. Wood had claimed, and no amount of strategizing could erase that—but she loved them for trying. Had Della believed that she was alone a moment ago? How maudlin she’d been. She wasn’t alone. Everyone she loved most was right here with her.
All except one.
“Della?” Jane was watching her hesitantly. “I wish you would say something. You’re making me nervous.”
“Don’t be. I’m happy you both came.” Della smiled gently. In the days ahead, there wouldn’t be many who stood by her side. She drew a long breath. “It’s kind of you to want to help, but I’m not going to sue the papers.”
“But—”
“It’s all true,” she said firmly. This produced an uncomfortable silence, which Della moved to fill before anyone could come up with another misguided idea for her salvation. “I’d like for us to talk about the club for a moment, if you please. This isn’t how I would have chosen to leave, but you must see that I won’t help business by staying on. Can you and Cecily manage without me? Do you need help finding a replacement?”
Jane bit her lip. Though she couldn’t bring herself to agree with Della’s frank assessment, she must not have another solution at ready.
“I could help?” Annabelle’s voice crept up at the end, more of a question than an offer.
She’d made that proposal months ago on the Waterloo Bridgeand Della had scoffed, but a great deal had changed since then. She wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss a helping hand now.
