I have news both good and concerning. The good news first: it appears I am being considered for a promotion. Lord Castleton has been impressed with me, and if all proceeds as expected, I should have a higher position .
Joan felt Victoria squeeze her shoulder with excitement, but Joan’s eyes had already skipped ahead to where the tone of the letter shifted.
Now for the more troubling matter. The scandal involving Julian has taken a rather dramatic turn. His courtesan was invited to a garden party at Lady Pemberton’s estate. How she secured an invitation, I cannot say, though I suspect the Earl used his influence inappropriately.
During the party, she was discovered in a rather compromising position with Lady Pemberton’s eldest son. In his bedchamber. The son is barely twenty and was quite thoroughly seduced, by all accounts. Lady Pemberton is, as you might imagine, absolutely livid.
Word spread through London like wildfire. Julian was seen physically removing Miss Hartley from his residence, though she refuses to leave the premises entirely. She has taken up residence in the gardens and is making quite a spectacle, weeping and begging to be taken back.
Joan felt Victoria’s hand tighten painfully on her shoulder, but her sister said nothing, her eyes fixed on the letter.
Here is where matters become directly concerning for our family. The Earl came to my offices yesterday, demanding to know Victoria’s whereabouts. He claims that if he marries her now—despite everything—it will restore both their reputations. He insists that our family’s respectability combined with his title will be enough to weather this storm.
I refused him, naturally. Quite forcefully. I may have suggested he do something anatomically impossible, though I will spare you the exact wording.
However, I have received word from a reliable source that Aldridge has hired men to locate Victoria. He is desperate, Joan. Desperate men do unpredictable and dangerous things. He believes that forcing a marriage with Victoria is his only path to redemption in society’s eyes.
Joan’s blood ran cold. She felt Victoria begin to tremble beside her.
With my promotion will come increased income. I am arranging for additional security—trustworthy men who can be sent to protect you both. I am also beginning to make inquiries about relocating the family permanently. Perhaps to the countryside, or even to Scotland if necessary. Somewhere far from London and far from men like Aldridge.
In the meantime, I beg you both to be extremely careful. Lay low. Do not venture far from the manor without Peters. Do not speak to strangers. Trust no one you do not know personally.
I have enclosed what funds I can spare, as well as some perfume I thought you might enjoy, Victoria. A small reminder that you are cherished and valued, regardless of what certain worthless earls might think.
Be safe, my darling sisters. I miss you both terribly and count the days until we can be reunited.
Your devoted brother,
Damian
Joan read the letter twice, then carefully refolded it with hands that shook. When she looked up at Victoria, she found her sister pale as parchment, one hand pressed to her throat.
“He’s looking for me,” Victoria whispered. “Julian is looking for me.”
“Damian won’t tell him where we are,” Joan said firmly, though fear coiled tight in her chest. “And we’re safe here. We’re miles from London, in a place Julian has no reason to suspect.”
“But he has men searching!” Victoria’s voice rose with panic. “Men who could ask questions, who could trace us. What if they come here? What if they find me and drag me back to him?”
Joan stood and pulled her sister into a fierce embrace. “I will not let that happen. Do you hear me, Victoria? I will never let him take you.”
Victoria clung to her, trembling.
“Then we will be careful. We will be vigilant.” Joan stroked her sister’s hair, exactly as she had done when Victoria was a small child frightened by nightmares. “Peters is loyal and capable. The village is small enough that strangers would be immediatelynoticed. And we have Damian working to send us additional protection.”
“But what if?—”
“No.” Joan pulled back and gripped Victoria’s shoulders, forcing her sister to meet her eyes. “No what-ifs.”
Victoria’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. If I had just married him, if I had been braver?—”
“If you had married him, you would be miserable right now,” Joan interrupted firmly. “Trapped in a loveless marriage with a cruel man who keeps his pregnant mistress under the same roof. You did nothing wrong, Victoria. Nothing. Do you understand me?”
Victoria nodded shakily, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Joan wiped them away gently. “We will be careful. We will stay close to home. And we will trust that Damian is doing everything in his power to protect us.”
She didn’t mention her own fear—that Julian’s desperation might drive him to extremes they couldn’t anticipate.
