“He does?” From speculation, Portia. Remember that.
“Oh yes. We all have handsome allowances, though Bryght has made even more through his investments. He is very clever at it.”
“He must lose money sometimes, though.”
“Rarely. There was something to do with a new kind of steel furnace which proved completely unsafe. And there’s Bridgewater’s canal, which most people think will be a disaster. I understand that the duke has signed an agreement that he will sell coal in Manchester and Liverpool for four-pence a ton for forty years. No one believes he can make a profit at that.”
Deep inside, Portia had hoped her fears groundless. “I wish there was no necessity for such a hasty wedding,” she hazarded, watching for Elf’s response.
“But there is, isn’t there?”
Portia turned red. Bryght’s sister had a pleasant, comfortable face and a light manner that seemed almost silly at times. When she posed her question, however, there was a shrewdness in her eyes that reminded Portia of Bryght and Rothgar.
As much to escape the question as anything, Portia went to the adjoining door. “I had best check that Nerissa is all right.”
She walked into an empty room. After a puzzled moment, she remembered Nerissa’s disordered health at the Willoughbys’. “That woman is doubtless healthy as a peasant,” she snapped to an astonished Elf, and headed for the corridor.
“Where are you going?” Elf gasped from behind her. “She may have gone downstairs.”
“Why?” Portia demanded, and let instinct guide her. “Where are Bryght’s rooms? I’ve forgotten.”
“This way,” said Elf, picking up her skirts to run around the corner into the next corridor. She opened a door and they burst in to see Nerissa watching a paper shrivel and burn. She turned with a glowing smile. “Too late! I am free of the Mallorens at last!”
“What was that?” Elf asked in confusion.
But Portia knew. It was that horrible letter from Maidenhead and she was glad to see it go, though she felt as if somehow she should have prevented the destruction.
Nerissa moved away from the fireplace. “I need never dance to a Malloren’s tune again, and I’ll do my best to ensure that Trelyn thwarts them at every turn.”
“Then there is no reason to push for this marriage anymore,” said Portia, eager to see one toil cut free.
“Still reluctant?” asked Nerissa in surprise. “Alas, cousin dear, the damage is done. We can whitewash you at the Willoughbys’, but the world will still believe you ruined. If you do not marry, it will be disastrous. If you stay in London, you will always be the focus of scandal. If you leave, it will be believed you have fled to escape it. Or perhaps even to bear a child. Is that not so, Lady Elfled?”
Elf looked at Portia with compassion. “It is, Portia. Truly.”
“And Bryght would never live it down,” added Nerissa. “Is that not true, Lady Elfled?”
“I fear so. To have a mistress is one thing. To ruin a lady is another.”
“Then all is settled.” Nerissa strolled to the bed, and ran a jeweled hand across the brown brocade cover. “I will enjoy thinking of you here, Cousin. I’m sure Bryght will be very understanding of your awkwardness and ignorance….” With a throaty laugh she carried on her way.
“Ugh,” shivered Elf. “Despite her beauty, Nerissa Trelyn makes me think of the slimy things one finds under stones. But what was she doing in here?”
Portia stirred herself to go look in the fire, but there was no longer even a scrap of ash as evidence. “Bryght had a letter of hers. A letter to her lover. He must have been using it to control her actions for she was desperate to get it back.”
But her mind was on other things. Was it possible that marriage was the only way to clear Bryght’s reputation?
Elf came to put an arm about Portia’s waist and draw her out of the room. “Don’t let her upset you, my dear. She throws darts purely for amusement. We must tell Bryght and Rothgar, though.”
“They’ll be annoyed. If she chooses to, she could damage me.”
“They’ll take care of it,” Elf said with confidence. “Truly, having such formidable brothers can be tedious at times, but they are useful when problems need sorting out. Nothing is allowed to thwart them.”
Such as a reluctant bride?
They found Nerissa composedly drinking tea, and they all went down to join the men who awaited in the hall. Elf had a quiet word with her brothers and Bryght came over to Portia. “Don’t worry. The letter doesn’t matter anymore.”
“I should have remembered her trick that other time.”
