Instead of being offended, Isadora laughed. “Oh, that’s rich, Minty! Always tossing your mistakes back in my face. It’s been like that since we were girls. Why did I think it would ever change?”
Araminta narrowed her eyes. “Then perhaps I should just find alternate lodgings and ensure that you never have to set eyes upon me again.” With that, she left Isadora to stare at her retreating back as she headed upstairs to her chamber.
However, the moment the door shut behind her, the frustrating tears that she’d held back started to stream down her face. After such a remarkable night with Lord Somers, she’d had to come home to endure Isadora’s harsh criticism. And while she felt her elder sister was being rather unforgiving, much of what she had said was true.
What if she’d been caught on Scandal Lane tonight? It was true that the shame wouldn’t just fall on her, but on all of them as well. She’d made an error in judgment, allowing her fascination for the earl to take over her common sense, but she was starting to believe that what was happening between them wasn’t just a passing fancy.
In truth, she feared she was falling in love with him.
She wiped angrily at her tears. But it wasn’t as if she could suddenly alter her plans and wish for something other than the independence she had once craved. However, the idea of settling down and having her own household and becoming a mother, raising a brood of children was turning out to be just as appealing.
So then why was she feeling so guilty?
Nine
The next morning, after soaking in the bath until the water had cooled considerably, Araminta went downstairs long after breakfast. She had thought that, by now, Isadora might have gone out to take her daily walk. With her eyes still slightly red and puffy from her crying episode the night before, she didn’t want her sister’s knowing face to be the first thing she saw.
A glance out the window revealed the snow was coming down rather heavily. She entered the parlor and picked up the latest edition of theTimes.When she’d told Isadora that she would start looking for alternate lodgings, she had been serious. While Callie and Livy would likely wonder at her reasons for it, she intended to be as vague as possible. She might be on the outs with Isadora, but there was no reason to concern her younger sisters.
As if on cue, Calliope took that moment to sail into the parlor. “It’s about time you got up.” She sat down next to her on the settee. “You’re turning into a regular slugabed.”
“I wasn’t feeling well this morning,” she hedged and hoped that Callie would take the hint that she wasn’t in a talkative mood.
She didn’t. With a frown she asked, “What are you doing perusing the paper? I thought you hated gossip?”
“That’s not what I’m looking for.” She hesitated, but since it wouldn’t be a surprise when she moved out, she added, “I’m thinking of getting my own lodgings.”
Calliope blinked. “What? Why?”
She shrugged. “I just think it’s time.”
“But I thought we were going to be independent women together?”
Araminta slide a gaze toward her. “That’s not really the definition of ‘independent,’ now is it?”
Instead of finding the irony, Calliope shot to her feet. Her fists were clenched at her sides, her irritation obvious. “I don’t know what has gotten into you lately, but while you feel the sudden need to desert us all, rest assured thatIwon’t do the same.”
She stormed out of the room and Araminta sighed heavily upon her departure. She wasn’t going to speak ill of Isadora, nor tell her younger sisters the real reason she was looking to move forward on her own. Last night’s confrontation was between her and Isa and that was how it would remain.
A short time later, Araminta gathered her outerwear, prepared to head out into the snow that was still coming down rather heavily, when Isadora spied her in the foyer. She paused and, for a moment, looked as though she wasn’t sure what to say. Finally, she asked, “Where can you possibly be going in this weather?”
By the censure in her tone, Isa likely assumed Araminta was going to see Lord Somers. As she drew on her gloves, she said in a matter-of-fact tone, “I’ve found a ladies’ boarding house that is looking for renters. I thought to check it out to see if it’s reputable.”
“I see.” Isadora’s expression hadn’t changed; it was still as unyielding as it had been the night before.
She turned to go, but Isadora found her voice once more. “So you’re serious about leaving?”
Araminta paused. “I told you that last night when we discussed my… nocturnal activities.” She lifted a brow in challenge. “It seems to be for the best, don’t you think? I should hate to bring shame and scandal down on this house because I dared entertain thoughts of a man.”
Isadora frowned. “I may have spoken in haste last night. I was angry and—”
Araminta waved a hand. “It doesn’t matter. All is forgiven, but I must go. The carriage is waiting.”
With that, she strode out the front door without looking back.
“My lord?”
Grey snapped to attention as the butler looked at him expectantly. “Er, yes. That’s fine.”
