“To prevent you both from indulging in adultery? Surely you know that Hector was quite capable of fucking another woman in the bed I was supposed to share with him at such events?”
Olivia winced. “I didn’t—”
“And were you aware of the reason I didn’t accompany him?”
“He … said that you were indisposed.”
“I suppose it didn’t occur to you to wonder why I was so conveniently absent?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
Carenza held her gaze. “Hector was so desperate for me to not accompany him that he ordered me to stay home. When I protested, he hit me so hard I fell down the stairs, which caused me to miscarry our child.”
All the color drained from Olivia’s face. “He … couldn’t have known.”
“You’redefendinghim? He knew he’d hurt me, Olivia. He had to step over me to get to his waiting carriage and scolded me for being in the way. But I’m glad you enjoyed bedding him. I hope it was worth it.”
Olivia’s hands clenched into fists. “Firstly, I am a widow, and whom I bed is up to me. The only adulterer was Hector.”
“I’m fully aware that Hector is to blame and that what happened before he arrived at the house party is hardly your fault. What hurt was your disloyalty tome,” Carenza said. “Your friend.”
“As to that, and you may choose to believe me or not”—Olivia’s voice shook—“I thought to expose Hector publicly as the adulterer he was. Ithoughtthat when he brought me back to his room you would be there. I intended to cause a really loud scene and finally force you to condemn him in public.”
“Except I wasn’t there.”
“And I misjudged Hector’s strength and intent,” Olivia said. “He had no intention of allowing me to leave without paying the price for my stupid plan.” She shrugged. “I knew how to lie quietly under a man and pretend I wasn’t there, but he still enjoyed hurting me.”
Silence fell as Carenza struggled to understand what Olivia was telling her.
Olivia’s smile was wry. “I don’t expect you to feel sorry for me. I was the fool. I became yet another of Hector’s conquests, and I ruined my friendship with you. I should not have interfered.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” Carenza said.
Olivia’s face crumpled. “I’m so sorry about the baby.” She turned and ran out of the room.
The butler appeared with the tea tray, looking startled. “Thank you.” Carenza took a deep breath. “Mrs. Sheraton had to leave rather suddenly.”
“Do you still wish to have the tea, my lady? Cook is already preparing lunch.”
“Yes, please, but could you also bring me a small glass of brandy?”
Jones, who had known her since she was a child, gave her a concerned look. “Is everything all right, my lady?”
“Everything is fine.” She summoned a smile. “Please don’t tell my father that I’ve taken to drink.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, my lady.” He bowed. “I’ll fetch your brandy.”
Carenza realized how badly she was shaking only when she tried to pour the tea and spilled it all over the tray. A moment later, Jones returned with the brandy and left. She swallowed it quickly, hoping it would calm her nerves enough to allow her to go over her conversation with Olivia again.
“Carenza?” Allegra came in, her expression concerned. “I saw Olivia leaving the house in tears. She wouldn’t even speak to me. Is everything all right?”
After Carenza explained what had happened between herself and Olivia, Allegra sat carefully on the sofa, looking stunned. “Good Lord. I could murder Hector for all the hurt he’s caused.”
“I suspect you’ll have to join a very long queue for that,” Carenza said.
“More to the point, did you believe what Olivia told you?”
“Yes.” Carenza looked at her sister. “She had no reason to lie to me, and it sounds just like something Hector would do.”
