Not when scandal threatens the family name.
“But surely if she’d done nothing wrong—” Rosalie began.
“It doesn’t matter what she’d actually done,” Sybil said firmly. “It only matters what peoplebelievedshe’d done. And once a woman’s reputation is compromised, society shows no mercy.”
Rosalie was quiet for a moment, absorbing this sobering reality. “What became of her?”
She died alone and frightened, calling for a mother who never came.
“She… left society,” Sybil said finally. “Found a different life away from London. But at great cost.”
“How sad,” Rosalie murmured. “To have one’s entire future destroyed by malicious gossip.”
“Indeed,” Hugo said quietly, and something in his tone made Sybil glance at him. His amber eyes held a strange intensity, as though he were seeing connections she hadn’t intended to reveal.
“It’s an extreme example,” Sybil said quickly. “Most social errors are far less consequential. The important thing is to be aware that people are watching and judging, especially during your first Season.”
“Are there other stories I should know about?” Rosalie asked. “Other cautionary tales that might help me avoid similar mistakes?”
Other stories. Where do I even begin?
“Well,” Sybil said carefully, “I heard of another young lady who nearly eloped with a gentleman she’d known for only a few weeks. She thought it was terribly romantic, thought he was rescuing her from a dull life of conventional expectations.”
Another young lady. As if Anthea’s near-escape weren’t seared into my memory.
“Nearly eloped?” Rosalie’s eyes widened. “What stopped her?”
“Her friends. They discovered that the gentleman in question was already married, that he’d been leading her to believe they were truly wed when in fact the ceremony was a sham.”
A sham performed by an actor paid to play a priest.
“Good heavens!” Rosalie looked genuinely shocked. “What sort of man would do such a thing?”
“The sort who sees young women as entertainment rather than human beings,” Sybil said grimly. “The sort who believes that charm and good looks give him license to manipulate anyone foolish enough to trust him.”
“But how could she have known?” Rosalie asked. “If he was convincing enough to fool her into believing they were married…”
“She couldn’t have known,” Sybil admitted. “That’s what made her vulnerable. She believed his promises because she wanted to believe them, because he told her exactly what she wanted to hear.”
“That’s terrifying,” Rosalie said quietly. “To think that someone could seem so genuine while planning such deception.”
“It is terrifying,” Sybil agreed. “But it’s also why you need people around you who care about your welfare. Friends who will ask difficult questions even when you don’t want to hear them.”
Friends who will drag you away from danger even when you think they’re ruining your life.
“Friends like you?” Rosalie asked hopefully.
“Friends like me,” Sybil confirmed, reaching over to squeeze the girl’s hand. “I promise to help guide you through whatever complications arise. And to ask those difficult questions when necessary.”
“Thank you,” Rosalie said warmly. “I feel much better knowing you’ll be there to help me navigate any… difficulties.”
“We’ll all be there,” Hugo said quietly, speaking for the first time in several minutes. “Your safety and reputation are our primary concerns.”
But Sybil found herself nodding anyway. “Your father is right.”
Hugo’s eyes met hers briefly, and she saw something that might have been gratitude before his expression shuttered again.
“I’m very fortunate,” Rosalie said, clearly unaware of the undercurrents swirling around her. “To have parents who care so much about my welfare.”
