“Killed him,” she confirmed softly. “And then my servants and I made it look like an accident so I wouldn’t be punished for it. But someone found out. The reason Asher came back, the reason everyone has been so odd is that there was a threat of the entire thing coming out and all of us being destroyed.”
She held her breath, waiting for her mother to speak. Lady Stenfax’s face had crumpled in pain, but it took her a moment to find the words she needed. At last, she reached out and took Felicity’s hand.
“My God, what you suffered,” Lady Stenfax gasped out. “Oh, my love, I am so sorry.”
Lady Stenfax’s arms came around her, and for a moment Felicity set aside her anger and her betrayal and took the comfort she was being offered. She sighed against her mother’s shoulder as Lady Stenfax stroked her hair gently.
“It is taken care of now. Asher and John Dane saved me.”
Lady Stenfax drew back and stared at Asher. Felicity couldn’t help but wonder what her mother saw. Was hetrulyjust a servant to her? One who had nearly thwarted her plans all those years ago? Could her mother see his goodness? His strength of character? His intelligence?
“I owe you a debt,” Lady Stenfax said softly. “More than one, I think.”
Felicity watched Asher as he bowed his head. “I would do anything for your daughter, my lady. You owe me no debt.”
Felicity folded her arms. Asher was easy on Lady Stenfax. Felicity wasn’t ready to be the same. “I don’t agree, Asher,” she said. “After all, there is more to this, isn’t there? Mama, is there some confession you would like to make?”
Lady Stenfax tensed. “From your tone, it seems you already know.”
“I wantyouto tell me,” Felicity said.
“Yes, I suppose that is fair.” Lady Stenfax paced away. “When your father died, our situation was so tenuous. Gray had not yet made his investments, you were unmarried and this enormous burden had been laid on Lucien’s shoulders.”
Felicity drew a breath, ready to tell her mother not to make excuses. But before she could, she felt the warmth of Asher’s hand on the small of her back, heard his soft voice against her ear. “Let her speak.”
Her mother looked relieved,gratefulas she smiled at Asher. “You know, my own marriage with your father wasn’t one of love. My financial position made me attractive to him. His title was something my father thought could further him. It was the way, it still is. So I encouraged you to marry well.” Her face fell. “What I considered marrying well. I thought I was helping.”
“And when you sent Asher away because we’d kissed, when you threatened him, that was also helping?” Felicity whispered.
“What I saw that night terrified me,” Lady Stenfax admitted. “Asher, please know that I always liked you. I was happy to have you spend time with my children. I saw such potential in you, as did my husband. And I had long suspected that Felicity might have…feelings for you.”
Felicity’s lips parted. “You did?”
“Of course. A handsome young man, so dashing and intelligent? I wasn’t a fool. But I hoped that I could steer you away. That when you came out, you would be too busy to think about such things.”
Felicity fought the urge to scream at her mother and somehow managed to temper her tone. “You thought I would just forget Asher when fancier things were dangled before me.”
“When I saw you kiss, I knew that was a foolish dream,” Lady Stenfax admitted. “It was obvious this was more than a mere girlishtendre.”
Felicity moved toward her. “And so you banished him, upon threat of ruining him and his father.”
“I have never been proud of that moment,” Lady Stenfax said. “God, how I hated myself the instant I said it. Seyton never looked at me the same way again, and when he left I knew it was a commentary on my fitness as a mistress. Worse, I saw how hurt you were, Felicity, when Asher left. I knew that I’d broken your heart. But then you met Barbridge and I hoped…”
“You hoped we would be happy.” Felicity shook her head. “But we weren’t. You sent me into a nest of vipers, Mama. All for some desire to protect our purse. You sacrificed me on the altar of standing and position.”
Her mother caught her breath on a sob. “I know I did, my love. I know that now and I despise myself for it.”
Asher had been silent throughout the encounter, but now he stepped forward. He slid an arm around Felicity and the warmth of him soothed her. The gentleness took some of her own edges away.
“Ihave something to say,” he said softly, but with strength.
Felicity tensed as she prepared herself for it. She saw her mother do the same. After all, she wasn’t the only one who had been affected by her mother’s actions. And Asher had every right to say or do whatever he liked in response to her mother’s apology.
Chapter Twenty
Lady Stenfax lifted her chin and Felicity caught her breath. Her mother was ready for whatever came. She was ready to accept it.
“Whatever it is, Asher, I know that you have every right to say what you will.”
