Alicia frowned. “Settled?”
“Yes, of course! Why it happened nearly a week ago. Don’t you know?”
Astonbury was to go to Simon. Clearly, that wasnotthe news animating the countess.
“Atrusthas been set up for Octavia.” The countess squeezed Alicia’s hand and made a happy noise. “Can you believe?”
A trust?Alicia carefully chose her words. “The Admiralty came around, then.”
“The Admiralty.” The Countess looked as if she’d tasted raw meat. “They wanted nothing to do with my poor Octavia, even though caring for her was her father’s express wish.”
The countess seemed to realize what she said, and withdrew her hands. She had never admitted to Alicia that Octavia belonged to Octavius. Then again, seeing them both, who would have doubted?
“Countess,” Strange that she should wish to reassure this creature who had stolen her husband, “I could never begrudge a child their—” the last word caught “—father.”
Her eyes stung.Ash.
“Oh!Oh.You are too kind.” The countess pressed her handkerchief against her lips with a sob. “You’ve always been too kind.”
Not always. “What was it you were saying about a trust?”
The countess brightened. “Oh yes, of course. Captain Smith set up the trust.” She frowned. “Not really Captain Smith, though. His friend. An Earl. Or was it a duke?” The countess pursed her lips as she tried to recall. “But the terms are what counts. Simon is to have custody. Terrible thing, but that was never in doubt. I cannot. Can you imagine? A child’s own mother.”
A terrible fear passed through Alicia’s heart. “That is true of all women, I believe.”
“That is exactly what the solicitor said. But the trust will help Simon provide for Octavia, so she will not be a burden.”
“Who is trustee?”
“There are to be two. The Captain’s friend the duke—yes, he was most certainly a duke—and Simon.” The countess sighed. “They have both agreed to allow Octavia and I to go on as we have.” Her eyes filled again. “I do not know what I would do without my sweet child.”
“I am happy for you,” Alicia said slowly.It couldn’t be.
“Thank you.” The countess caught up her hands. “Thankyou.”
“Octavia is fortunate to have such a generous benefactor.”
“Oh yes. As fortunate as she can be, under the circumstances. Captain Smith brought him to meet me. I was frightened at first. I’d heard he was mad...”
Alicia stopped breathing. Perhaps it couldn’t be, but it was.
“Oh, do not worry. The duke wasn’t mad at all. I should know better than to heed nasty rumors.”
“Did he...” Alicia swallowed. “Did he say why he’d done something so generous?”
The countess nodded. “He said it would be cruel to part a mother and child.”
Ashbey.Her own tears spilled forth.
“Oh, dear.” The countess fluttered her hands.
“I’m fine.” She wasn’t. “I—I really must be going.” She stood and retrieved the packet. “I came to return something that belongs to you.”
“My letters,” the countess breathed, as if Alicia had been holding gold. “Bless you! Oh, bless you.”
The countess became so consumed by the letters, she permitted Alicia to leave without much protest. Alicia slipped away. The sun was bright and warm in the Spring sky, and the sight somehow comforted. She had almost reached the end of the drive when a carriage turned into the gates. Glossy and dark—the Admiralty attempting to be discreet.
The coachman lifted the window that looked down into the box. “Right,” he yelled. The carriage slowed. The door swung open and two men peered out.
