She smirked. “Oh, posh. The sooner I die, the sooner you become rich.”
I gasped. “My lady?—”
She gave a hooting laugh. It turned into a cough. “My physician says I have a month or two left, but I intend on living at least another year,” she said in a raspy voice. “I will have plenty of time to prepare you for the role you will undertake as mistress of Birch House. I will make an announcement to all the guests at breakfast tomorrow morning that you have won my prize and will be my heiress. I will use my connections to ensure the news is spread amongst theton. I will also send invitations to my closest friends in town to attend a ball in your honor tomorrow evening. The arrangements have already been underway.”
I felt the color drain from my face. “Is it truly necessary to inform so many people at once? I feel as though most of Town doesn’t even know who I am.”
“But they will.” She smiled. “You, Lady Daventry, are about to be quite famous.”
I pressed my lips together, a mixture of fear and excitement battling inside me. My financial worries were dormant, saved by this unexpected stroke of good fortune. I no longer had to wonder if I would have a place to live, or a future beyond my dreams of marrying Miles. I was not trapped anymore. If Miles failed to return to London and keep his promise to me, I would not be forced to find a husband elsewhere. For the first time, I had a choice. I had power of my own in a society that made me feel helpless.
“I would ask you not to reveal anything to the other guests here until after I make my announcement tomorrow. I should like to be the one to introduce you as my heiress.”
“Of course.” I swallowed hard.
She slumped down onto her pillows again with a dramatic sigh, closing her eyes. “Let us hope I have the strength to leave my bed tomorrow. Now go. I am tired.”
“Thank you,” I blurted. “That doesn’t feel like enough to say, but thank you for the opportunity you have given me. My gratitude is truly beyond words.”
One of her eyes opened. She stared at me with her left eye, her expression frozen in a perpetual wink. “Thankyoufor playing my game so well.”
A second pang of guilt forced another confession out of my mouth. “There is another incident for which I must apologize. One of the rabbits in the hexagon room?—”
Her other eye opened. “I will be more inclined to forgive the charring of that poor creature’s face if I see an engagement transpire between you and Mr. Holland. I have done all I can to help you recognize the passionate love you have for one another, and I am growing impatient.”
My ears tingled with heat. How did she know about the rabbit already? Her servants must have reported everything to her. I wrung my hands together. “My lady, I think you have mistook the nature of our relationship. Mr. Holland and I are friends.”
“I have seen the way he looks at you, child. That is not how a man looks at his friend.” Her eyelids drooped, but she still grinned. “He has marriage on his mind, to be sure.”
My stomach flopped. His words from the night before came rushing back to my mind, about how he might have proposed had he thought the answer would be favorable. A question had been prying at my mind all day, and now it finally slipped through the cracks: If I had never known Miles, what would my answer be? I pushed the thought from my mind, a sickening feeling spreading in my stomach. Developing feelings for Alexander would complicate everything. It would be a disaster.
But was it too late?
Now was not the time to argue with Lady Tottenham, so I gave a submissive nod. She could still change her mind about making me her heiress. I half-expected her to at any moment. I needed to ensure she still enjoyed my company, or I would be cast out to the streets just like Lord Kirkham.
“Leave me now. I must rest.” Her eyes closed, ending the conversation in an instant.
“Good day, my lady. I hope you feel better soon.”
She grunted in response.
I walked out of the room, my steps burdened with the heavy secret I carried on my back.
CHAPTER 24
ALEXANDER
The leeches and toads in the pond didn’t bother me nearly as much as the true leech I had encountered on the street that morning.
I tugged off my boots, tossing them into the pile with my jacket, waistcoat, and cravat. I rolled up my shirtsleeves and dove into the pond on the west lawn of Birch House. The cold water awoke my senses, causing chills to burst over my skin.
I came up for air, stroking my arms through the water as I floated on my back. The sky was gold and orange as the sun slowly disappeared behind the treeline. The cold water soothed the bruise on my cheek, so I dipped my head under again. I broke the surface, shaking the excess water from my hair.
I had spent the afternoon in my room thinking about my conversation with Miles. My anger had been spreading like a fire inside me. He didn’t even have the decency to break his connection with Anne properly. He planned to disappear and leave her waiting as he had already done so many times before. He had no honor, no sense of obligation, and no dignity. He had never been true to his word, and he wouldn’t start now. I couldn’t believe he had written such a straightforward letter to Anne. It made sense why she had been holding out hope for so long. She viewed the letter as a proposal. He viewed it as disposable.
The worst part was that until Anne knew that Miles was back in London, and that he had changed his mind, she would be loyal to him.
My course of action was unclear, and I couldn’t seem to make a decision. Miles had made it obvious to me that he was no longer interested in marrying her. If Anne knew that I had told him about her financial situation, she would be angry with me. If I spoke ill of his character and motives, she would blame me for trying to turn her against him. I wanted to believe that I had gained her trust, but perhaps I hadn’t. Miles was years ahead of me.
