It was clear to her that Henry didn’t understand. No longer was it about appearances in society or demonstrating her family’s wealth through diamonds.
She’d gained something more in those harsh years—the knowledge that she didn’t need anyone but herself. She had weathered the storm and come out stronger for it.
“I don’t want jewels anymore, Henry.”
“Then what do you want?”
She shrugged. There was little she needed now. Her girls were grown, and two of them were married with children. Forcing a smile, she said, “A kiss from a grandchild is enough for me.”
“And what about a husband?”
The loneliness in his voice struck hard, and she didn’t know what to say. Heat flooded her cheeks, but she couldn’t imaginestepping into his arms. They had grown so distant over the past few years. He’d criticized her for continuing to help with Aphrodite’s Unmentionables and had grown angry any time she’d mentioned it.
Though she knew it wasn’t what he wanted, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I will see you at dinner,” she finished.
And when she left her room, she pushed away the emptiness of her own aching heart.
“We have a problem,” Amelia informed Margaret and Victoria. After the latest note had arrived this morning, she could not delay the meeting with her sisters any longer. “Read this.” She held out the paper to Victoria.
While I appreciate your efforts at the last ball, it met with no success. It is clear to me now that no man will have me for a wife. They have not forgotten the scandal. Therefore, I have decided that I must take matters a step further.
I shall require a house with a small staff of servants to tend me. It can be in the country, as long as I can keep my whereabouts a secret from Lewis Barnabas.
You have one month to arrange this, or I shall spread the word to the newspapers regarding Aphrodite’s Unmentionables. I am sorry, but I have no choice in this.
“Who sent it?” Victoria asked.
Amelia took the note back and folded it. “Lady Sarah Carlisle, Lord Strathland’s sister. I don’t know how she learned of our involvement, but it might have been when we were at Madame Benedict’s the other day.”
“I knew this would happen,” Margaret sighed. “Didn’t I tell you? Once the world knows that the four of us have been sewing silken undergarments…” She pressed her fingers to her temples, as if a headache were coming on. “We’ll be ruined. Victoria, it will be worse for you, especially.”
Their sister’s expression had gone grim. “My husband knows what I’ve done in the past, but I’ve only created some drawings in the recent few months.” Even so, they all knew that if society learned of her role, it would reflect poorly upon her husband, the Duke of Worthingstone.
“But no one knows anything yet,” Amelia reminded her. “We may be able to figure out a way around this. Lady Sarah paid a call on me last week, wanting my help in finding a husband. She’s trying to escape Mr. Barnabas, her cousin, who is controlling Lord Strathland’s properties.”
“This is evidence of blackmail,” Victoria said, pointing to the note. “If Lady Sarah is arrested, the matter will end.”
“No, it won’t.” Margaret let out a sigh. “She’ll only tell the courts all about us, and the scandal will be terrible.”
Another thought occurred to Amelia. “But what is the harm if theydofind out? Victoria and Juliette are both happily married. I can deny all involvement, because I was so young when we began.”
“And I’m a spinster with no chance of marrying anyone, is that what you were about to say?” Margaret’s face grew hard, and she set the note aside. “No. No one can find out about this.”
“The right man won’t care,” Amelia reminded her. She still believed that there was no real harm in it.
“The right man won’t even look at me if he believes I was designing scandalous underwear.”
Actually, Amelia believed that men might indeed look at Margaret in a new way if they learned of her involvement. But she kept her mouth shut, knowing her sister would not appreciate it.
“The true problem is our parents,” Victoria ventured. “It would reflect badly upon them.”
“Father was furious when he learned of it. It would be humiliating to him in the House of Lords.” Margaret set the letter aside. “We must put a stop to this.”
“Is there someone Lady Sarah could marry?” Amelia asked. “Or could we afford a house for her?” It wasn’t what she wanted to do, but it was all she could think of.
“If we help her once, she’ll only demand more.” Margaret shook her head. “No, we can’t pay it. It’s blackmail, after all. Victoria, I believe you should ask His Grace what he thinks we should do.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you of this sooner,” Amelia admitted. “I was hoping she would give up on the idea.”
