She had gone to say goodbye to Lady Thornton, one of the few society women she genuinely liked, and had nearly made it back to her carriage when a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Lady Vane! Leaving so soon? But the Season has barely begun."
Harriet turned to find Lady Davies approaching, her smile as bright and false as costume jewelry. She was accompanied by two other women, their expressions matching shades of malicious curiosity.
"Lady Davies. How delightful."
"I heard you're taking the waters in the north." Lady Davies's tone dripped with false sympathy. "Such a shame. Though I suppose it's wise to seek treatment for... difficulties."
"I'm seeking rest, not treatment."
"Of course. Rest can be so restorative." Lady Davies exchanged a glance with her companions. "Though I've heard that some problems can't be fixed, no matter how much rest one takes. Some women simply aren't... built for motherhood."
The words landed like a slap. Harriet felt the blood drain from her face, then rush back in a flood of fury.
"How fortunate that you've never faced such difficulties," she said, her voice ice-cold. "I'm sure your husband isdeeplysatisfied with his choice."
Lady Davies's smile faltered. "I beg your pardon?"
"I merely meant that Lord Davies must be so pleased to have secured an heir so quickly. After his previous disappointment, it must be a tremendous relief." Harriet let her gaze drift over Lady Davies's figure with deliberate assessment. "One does hope the child takes after his mother. In looks, if nothing else."
The implication hung in the air:Davies may have an heir, but he doesn't have your love. He settled for second best, and everyone knows it.
Lady Davies's face went white, then red. Her companions shifted uncomfortably.
"You…" Lady Davies began.
"Do give my regards to Lord Davies," Harriet interrupted. "I'm sure he thinks of me often."
She turned and walked away, her heart pounding, her hands trembling slightly. It was petty. It was beneath her. And it feltglorious.
Sebastian was waiting in the carriage. He took one look at her face and raised an eyebrow.
"What happened?"
"I may have implied that Lady Davies's child looks nothing like her husband."
"Did you?"
"And that Davies settled for her after I rejected him."
Sebastian's lips twitched. "How unfortunate for Lady Davies."
"Terribly unfortunate."
"Will this cause problems?"
"Almost certainly." Harriet leaned back against the seat, suddenly exhausted again. "But I find I don't particularly care."
"Then neither do I." Sebastian knocked on the roof of the carriage, signaling the driver to proceed. "To the Lake District?"
"To the Lake District."
***
The cottage was perfect.
It sat on a gentle slope above Windermere, surrounded by gardens gone slightly wild and ancient oaks that filtered the light into something green and gold. The building itself was stone, covered in climbing roses that wouldn't bloom for another month, with windows that looked out over the lake and the mountains beyond.
