Lord Prentis winced. "One will do anything one can to save one's reputation --- or the reputation of one's family."
"But Miss Jennings is not related to you."
"Oh, but she is."
Josiah's eyebrows shot upwards in surprise.
"A distant cousin to the both of us," Lord Prentis continued, as Josiah bit down hard, making sure that he did not interrupt. "You would not know of her. I did not either, truth be told. She is related to my father's side, the daughter of one of his cousins." His brow furrowed. "Her father once had wealth and good standing but disgraced himself. When he died, her mother went to reside with her eldest daughter who had married well. There was no room for Sophia, however, and so I received a letter."
"A letter that asked you to think charitably of the family?"
Lord Prentis nodded. "It was the first I had heard of our relations but my mother confirmed it all. So what could I do? My father was no longer living so the responsibility lay with me. My mother was certainly somewhat lonely after the loss of my father and thus, it seemed right to me to do as was asked. I hired Miss Jennings as a companion rather than a relation."
A frown tugged at Josiah's face. "Why would you do such a thing as that? If she was a relation, then ---"
"Because of the disgrace that her father had brought to their name. I did not want there to be any association and so, if anyone was to ask, I would be able to state that she was a paid companion." Lord Prentis ran one hand through his hair. "I am sorry that I did not tell you the truth about her, cousin, especially since we were residing with you for Christmas. You did not recognize her as a relation and I did not see the need to introduce her as such. I am sure that she did not think you a cousin either."
"You did not have to explain," Josiah answered, quickly. "I can understand why one might speak so. You wanted to protect your family and your reputation, especially since both of your sisters were still unmarried. It is what any gentleman might do."
One side of Lord Prentis's lips tipped upwards. "I am grateful for your understanding. I am quite sure that I did speak harshly to you in White's but you are too generous to say otherwise."
Josiah chuckled although he did so deliberately, in an attempt to keep his manner light. He did not want to make Lord Prentis ill at ease. "I hear that she is now in London."
This made Lord Prentis's head lift sharply, his eyes rounding at the edges. "Whatever makes you say such a thing as that?"
"Your sister spoke of her." Josiah did not say that Lady Deborah had spoken to Lady Clara about the matter as opposed to himself, choosing to keep that information back from Lord Prentis. "Perhaps she was not meant to?"
Closing his eyes, Lord Prentis let out a long breath. "I did not know Deborah knew of her presence here. That does not surprise me, however, for she was always very close to Sophia."
"You have not gone to visit her yourself as yet?" Josiah knew he was pushing his cousin gently but he prayed that Lord Prentis would not respond poorly to his question. He was doing his best to sound merely a little interested, nearly entirely nonchalant whilst inwardly, he was silently begging his cousin to tell himall. "I know you said that you were unaware of her reasons for departing but ---"
"I sent her here."
Josiah's eyes rounded.
"My mother insisted upon it. She said that she did not want Sophia to be disgraced, that her family had endured enough already and that, even though she would not have her reside with us any longer, it was still my duty to take care of her." His chin lifted. "I take my responsibilities seriously and therefore, I felt as if I had no other choice but to do as my mother asked."
"And still, you do not know as to why she was sent away?"
Lord Prentis shook his head. "Nor do I want to. I have enough to think on when it comes to my two sisters and their futures! I did as my mother asked and I was grateful indeed to have one less person to think on! Miss Jennings is given a monthly allowance, she has a small residence on the outskirts of London and, as far as I am concerned, that is all that she requires. I do not feel the need to go and visit her although given the way you are frowning, mayhap I should feel myself a little rebuked for that attitude!"
Josiah hastily removed any frown from his features. "No, not in the least. I was frowning simply because of the strangeness of it all. I confess that my curiosity does bite at me somewhat!"
Lord Prentis chuckled ruefully. "As it does my own heart but I will not allow it to linger. Asking Miss Jennings a good many questions will do nothing good, I am sure of it."
The tray of refreshments was brought in at this juncture and Josiah, thinking it best to stay back from any further questions about Miss Jennings, diverted the conversation to another, more banal topic. As they talked, however, one thought sat firm beneath all others: his cousin might have no desire to visit Miss Jennings, but Josiah certainly did --- and he would write to Clara the moment Prentis left.
16
Clara took the letter from the butler at once. "I thank you." She dismissed him with a wave, only to catch his attention again. "Is my brother at home?"
"No, my lady. He is gone to White's, I believe. He will return in time for dinner."
Clara nodded, thanked the butler and then dismissed him, looking down at the letter in her hands. Despite the fact that her brother was not in the house, she hurried to her own bedchamber rather than linger in the drawing room, making sure to shut the door before sinking down on the edge of her bed.
Breaking the seal, she unfolded the letter and, with her heart in her throat, began to read.
My dear sister,
