Evelina stepped from the room and that left Silas with Julia. She smiled at him and he returned the expression. “If you’d like to join them, I’m perfectly capable of entertaining myself.”
She shook her head. “Oh, gracious no. I’ve no interest in seeing someone give birth.” She shuddered. “I’ve heard there’s blood and screaming. No, I’ll stay here and we’ll just have a drink and pretend like it’s not happening.”
“That sounds like a very good plan,” he said, and went to refill her drink and his own. “You know you three really are remarkable.”
“Are we? I suppose most men are fascinated by the idea of three sisters who are also courtesans.” She pulled a face. “Some of them even want to bed us as a group.”
“Ugh. That’s disturbing,” he said.
“I agree.” Julia turned up her nose. “None of us have ever continued an affiliation with a man who suggested it.”
“You’re living here with Arabella now, I think,” he said.
She nodded. “Yes. My last arrangement ended a little over a month ago and she welcomed me right back in. That’s the power of having this house, of course. We’re never under threat.”
He looked around. “It’s a fine home and you’ve all made it even more beautiful and welcoming.”
“It doesn’t bother you that she received it from another lover?” Julia asked, and now she didn’t look so sweet or innocent. She looked hawkish and like she was making a measure of him and his future response. It seemed a skill each of the Comerford women possessed.
He set his drink down and met her eyes. He wanted her to see the truth of what he was about to say. “I have nothing but respect for Arabella and what she’s built for herself. Jealousy is not in my nature.”
“Then you are a singular man. She’s had several lovers who tried to demand she get rid of this place, but she always refused.” Julia sighed and then shook her head. “It is a good life we’ve built. Thanks to you, of course.”
He cocked his head at that statement. “Thanks to…thanks to me?” he repeated. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you know, of course. That night in Vauxhall Garden. Seeing you with Simone.”
“Well, I know aboutthat. It was early in her career.”
Julia stared at him. “No. She wasn’t a courtesan when she saw you. She was seventeen, there with our aunt and father when he was still trying to make a match for her. Seeing you two that night inspired her, I suppose. It was why she ran from our father and into the life.”
He drew a sharp breath. Seventeen? He hadn’t done that math since reuniting with Arabella, even though he was aware of her age. And he hadn’t put together that she had truly been an innocent when she saw him with Simone.
Could what Julia said be true? Was he the cause for Arabella to leave her stable life and run headlong into this? It was one thing to accept and respect it, quite another to have caused it and whatever pains she might have endured to create it.
“Silas?” Julia asked, leaning closer. “Are you well?”
Before he could answer, Evelina and Arabella returned to the room together, their faces bright with excitement. “The baby is certainly coming,” Arabella announced. “Regina is comfortably arranged in a room and the midwife is on her way. She is doing very well, though.”
“That’s good,” Julia said, and then glanced at Silas.
The other two women followed her stare and Arabella’s expression fell. “What is it?”
He cleared his throat. “I’d like to talk to you alone, Arabella.”
Evelina and Arabella exchanged a look and Julia moved toward them, shaking her head as if to say she didn’t understand whatever look he couldn’t school from his face.
“Well, I should be returning home anyway,” Evelina said slowly. “Why don’t you come with me, Julia? Harry is not in residence at present, he’s busy with other things at his proper estate. I’d be happy for the company.”
Julia nodded and then the two women faced him. He heard them say goodnight. He realized he responded, but it didn’t seem real. Not when all he could do was stare at Arabella and know what he now knew.
Arabella saw them out and then she returned. She shut the parlor door behind herself and then leaned there, watching him as if she wasn’t certain how to behave.
“Silas, it’s clear something changed when Evie and I left the room. And now you wish to speak to me alone. So we are alone. Now tell me, what is going on?”
“Your sister…Julia just told me thatI’mthe reason you became a courtesan.” He shook his head. “Is that true?”
* * *
