“It was a m-m-mistake.” Bethany shivered again. She’d been telling herself this over and over again. M-i-s-t-a-k-e. Seven letters.
Of course, Chase hadn’t realized it had been her when he’d done… that. And although the experience had been mortifying, he hadn’t hurt her really.
She could have recovered from a few swats.
However, the fact that essentially all of London had swooped down to see her bare arse…! The thought had her groaning.
“Of course, it was amistake. Chaswick may be somewhat of a rake but he isn’t an outright scoundrel.” Lady Ravensdale touched Bethany’s hand, encouraging her to take another sip. “Drink,” she ordered again. “Tea always helps in these situations.”
Bethany sipped the hot liquid and couldn’t help but agree. Although… brandy or whisky might provide her with considerably more relief.
“I only meant to warn him,” she managed.
“Of course, you did.”
So many thoughts swirled around her head. It had been bad.Very bad. It was likely she’d not only ruined her own reputation but that she’d ruined her sister’s as well. Her entire family’s! How could any of them ever hold their head up again after this?
People would take one look at her and imagine…
“Tabetha will be devastated,” Bethany breathed. “She’s supposed to come-out next week. Mother will have to cancel her party. And Tabetha has been looking forward to it for so long. Worse than that, we’ll have to return to the country. We’ll be shunned.” S-h-u-n-n-e-d. Bethany counted the letters on her fingers. Seven letters again and yet the reality meant the end of life as she knew it.
“Hush, hush.” Lady Ravensdale had one arm wrapped around her now. “It mightn’t be as bad as all that.”
At this supposition, Bethany glanced over at the deluded woman. “You cannot believe that. I was lying across his lap. He was… And I was…” Oh, dear, she couldn’t even say it out loud. Of course, she was ruined. R-u-i-n-e-d. One-two-three-four-five-six. Six letters.
Her vision swam. Of all the people she’d ever imagined getting ruined, she was not one of them.
A knock sounded and Bethany sat up straight, bracing herself for the worst. It would be her mother, of course.
But it was not. It was Lady Ravensdale’s married daughter, Lady Hawthorne.
“Close the door and come in. What are they saying, Natalie?” The countess’s daughter was a younger version of her mother. Blond, slim and beautiful but also dignified and always optimistic and kind.
The younger girl winced, shaking her head. “It’s bad. Oh, Lady Bethany. If I had my pistol, I’d shoot him myself.”
“When did you acquire a pistol?” Her mother frowned.
“Garrett gave it to me on our last anniversary. Not to worry, Mother. He’s taught me how to use it properly.”
“But what of my grandchildren?”
“It’s kept locked away.”
“Then why have one?”
“Mother, may we focus?” Lady Hawthorne met Bethany’s eyes with a sympathetic gaze.
“Honestly,” Bethany intoned. “I’d much rather discuss your pistol than my reputation right now.”
Someday, she determined, she would laugh at this. But at the mention of husbands and children, tears welled in her eyes. She’d not only ruined her own chance of ever having a family but her younger sister’s as well!
And the mention of pistols brought her brother to mind. Of course, he would think it necessary to defend her honor. Against Chase! The mere idea of it nearly stole her breath.
It must never come to that. Never!
This time when the door burst open no knock preceded it.
Her mother.
