“I’m going back to the drawing room. This is a silly game. And I’m tired,” Phoebe said when she could not dissuade the others. She didn’t know how to stop this. She didn’t want to witness this. This was her fault.
She walked back downstairs and Edmund followed her.
She sat in the window seat of the drawing room, looking out at the rain on the rose bushes, waiting for the next move. Ten minutes later, Lady Titchfield appeared at the door, supported by her daughter. She looked first at Phoebe, then away. Her face was white.
Phoebe’s mother rose to her feet. “What’s wrong?”
“I think she needs to sit.” Olivia helped her mother to a sofa. Then William appeared in the doorway and jerked his head at Edmund who went out into the hall to talk to William.
Phoebe’s mother went to sit next to Lady Titchfield. Phoebe could hear murmurs and her own mother gasping.
One or two minutes passed and Edmund came back in and sat in the window seat next to Phoebe.
“Did they find them?” Phoebe asked quietly.
“Yes,” Edmund grunted.
“Were they in bed together?”
“No. Found in one of the attics with some disarranged clothing. Lady Titchfield swooned.”
“I see.”
“Just so you know, William won’t say anything. He hates gossip. If you can get the women to keep quiet—”
“No. I’m not going to keep anyone from doing anything. But would you help me, my lord?”
“Yes.”
“Go upstairs and tell His Grace I want to talk to him in his study. And tell Miss Danforth I don’t want to see her and she is not welcome in the Abingdon carriage back to London.”
“Yes, my lady.” Edmund stood and loomed over her. “You’re very strong for such a little person.” He left the room, treading heavily on the carpet.
Phoebe’s mother rose from the sofa and came over to where Phoebe still sat. Phoebe turned her gaze from the rain-streaked window to look up at her.
“Mother, we’re going to leave in the next hour. Will you ask Dawson to pack my things and get your maid to pack your things? Alice will not be coming with us.”
Her mother’s eyes narrowed for a moment, but she did not speak. She touched Phoebe’s cheek lightly and nodded and left the room.
Phoebe stood and had a moment of dizziness. She walked over to Thornwick’s mother and curtsied. “Your Grace, thank you for having us in your home. My apologies that we must depart so abruptly.”
“Oh, my dear,” the duchess whispered, shaking. “Has something not been to your liking?”
“Your house is lovely. Thank you.”
She avoided meeting Olivia and Lady Titchfield’s eyes as she curtsied and took her leave from them. She did not want to see their pity or their disgust.
She went to Thornwick’s study. She was waiting just inside the door when he entered.
“Phoebe.” He closed the door.
“There’s no need for you to say anything, Your Grace. Our engagement is over. I will not be marrying you.”
The corners of Thornwick’s mouth turned down. “It’s a mistake, I tell you, the woman is the devil—”
“No, she’s not. I won’t let you say that. Alice is misguided, but she’s not evil. She’s trying to protect me.”
“Protect you? She seduced me in order to break our engagement and you—”
