“She was a shadow of my friend,” Letty continued. “When we arrived in London, I took her to my house. My parents were shocked, obviously, but reluctant to get involved, as Minerva’sparents were their friends. It was actually my brother who came to her aid. He had always been in love with Minerva, and he went to her parents. Melton told them she was staying in London and they would have to go through him and the scandal he would create if they tried to send her back to her husband.”
“How desperate she must have felt living with that man, Letty.”
“Very much so, and no one knew. Two weeks after we reached London, Lord Logan died in a hunting accident. He left Minerva alone, pregnant, and in debt. Her parents took her back in and cared for her.”
“But why do you not see her now if she was your friend?” Sophie asked.
“I do not know whether it was from embarrassment or a need to forget those awful weeks, but Minerva has not spoken to me since,” Letty said, and Sophie could see she was still hurting.
“But you saved her!”
“Minerva will not even look at me, Sophie.”
“We shall see about that!”
“Now, you will not champion this cause, as it is a lost one. I only hope that Minerva has been a good mother to Amelia, although I fear she has not, considering how the poor girl dresses.” Letty got out of her seat. “I will accompany you today because I will not let Minerva mistreat you due to her dislike of me. I will make polite conversation, but there will be no reconciliation.”
We shall see,Sophie thought, but she kept this to herself.
The day had grown warmerin the short time she’d not been outside, and Sophie and Letty enjoyed the breeze through the windows as the Monmouth carriage carried them across London. Timmy was now outside with most of the householdstaff and Doddy, having a wonderful time, and she doubted he’d miss her at all.
“After finding Doddy, we took tea this morning,” Sophie said, knowing she needed to mention this but not the two men who she thought were following her and Timmy. Letty did not need to worry about that too. “Lord Coulter and Lord Sumner were there.” And that was all she needed to say on that matter.
“Really? I like that Lord Sumner, and Lord Coulter, too, but he is more austere.”
“Letty, he is suspicious of me,” Sophie said.
“So what?” She flicked her fingers. “There is nothing he can do about what we did, and we did nothing wrong. So stop worrying and enjoy the attentions of handsome men.”
“I do not want the attentions of handsome men. I want to get through this season and then back to Monmouth.”
“I know, but imagine if you found a man?—”
“Letty, I will never find a man in this world because of the life I once lived. Please do not believe otherwise,” Sophie said.
“Oh, very well, we will speak no more on it for now.”
“Ever.”
“We are here,” Letty said when the carriage stopped. Sophie knew what her sister-in-law was like when she got hold of an idea. She never let it go. But in this, she would. There was no way Sophie would marry… ever.
The house they were soon standing before was white and three stories and behind black iron railings. There was no color in the narrow gardens, and no weeds either. Just dirt.
“It once belonged to Lord and Lady Peters. They left it to Minerva, along with enough money to live on,” Letty said softly. “I believe that was due to the guilt they felt over wedding her to that monster.”
They entered through the gate and walked up to the black front door. Sophie knocked twice using the brass ring.
“If you will come this way, please,” the butler said after they’d announced themselves. “Lady Logan is expecting you.”
“This place looks like someone is in mourning,” Letty whispered as they followed the stiff-backed butler down a dark-paneled hallway.
The Monmouth women looked like two birds of paradise in such a gloomy setting. Letty wore a beautiful pale blue dress with white trim around the cuffs and hem. Sophie had chosen lemon, which seemed to suit her coloring, and had left her hair simple, not wanting to make the contrast between herself and Amelia too obvious.
“Lady Carstairs and the Countess of Monmouth,” the Logan butler announced in tones befitting the somber surroundings as they reached an open doorway.
Sophie’s first impressions as she entered the parlor were no different from those she and Letty had formed upon entering the town house. The room was decorated in dark colors, and the drapes were pulled against the bright sunlight. It was as if the house itself were in grieving.
“Sophie!” Amelia cried, rushing across the room to clasp her hands and give them a squeeze. Clearly, Lady Logan had not crushed her daughter’s personality completely.
