JAHLEEL—STANDING ONBUSINESS
No one is whispering. The parlor has become deathly quiet. I have command of all eyes. I witness the shock that I would admit to strangers that I have a sickness, one that will kill me.
It exposes my greatest weakness, but loving Katherine has taught me that brutal honesty is best. “The blood sickness needs to be discussed. It’s not leprosy. I bear no contagions. What I have harms from the inside, and the struggle can be passed down.”
I’m Darcy at the ball, looking with disdain upon everyone except my family—Scarlett, Carew, and yes, Katherine.
Katia. Those eyes are too far away, but I feel her bewilderment at my openness. She can’t believe I’m so vulnerable with strangers. But it feels good not to be hiding. We all need the truth more than anything.
“If the blood sickness is in your immediate line or one generation … Mr. Carew, Madame Carew, what was the calculation? Was it one or two?”
“Just one,” Scarlett says as Carew captures her hand. He’s proud of his wife. I am, too.
“Yes, everyone possessing the sickness or having it in your family within one generation, please leave.” A quarter of the room rises, bows, and exits through the parlor doors.
I count at least thirty women remaining. That’s twenty-nine women too many.
Yet there is one left sitting who looks utterly beautiful and lost. Katherine attended this meeting. She’s heard everything important. Perhaps she will believe that the secretive strategist would’ve told her of my suffering, if I had known. A partner must protect the one they love. I failed. My zeal, her passion—I failed us both.
“Excellent. My man-of-all-work will collect names.” I sigh. “Those remaining will receive invitations for you and your daughters, and perhaps a few of you with single brothers or older sons can also attend. Lady Hampton also seeks a husband.”
The warmth in the room disappears. Blank, icy stares turn on me.
“Lady Hampton is an elegant woman with a twenty-thousand-pound dowry to ensure she and her new husband can rise above unfair gossip. We are friends. I want the best for her.”
My tone sounds casual, but the ladies devour every word like they are feasting on Georgina’s ginger biscuits or kartoshka. Both are delicious.
After motioning to the footman to open the parlor doors, I turn to leave. “Again, you’re all invited to the ball at the end of the month. It will be a grand introduction of my daughter, Lady Lydia, to society. Perhaps we will meet the future Duchess of Torrance there as well.”
With a nod, I signal to Mr. Steele to take over. I’m ready to withdraw. The man is invaluable, and his notes about the secrets of the noisiest attendees are incredible.
As I begin to leave, the lead interrogator and a familiar young woman start to approach me.
Scarlett and Carew cut through the crowd and intercept me. “Your Grace,” Scarlett says, “Mrs. Randolph has brought Eveline Gray, the Baroness Derand.”
Carew seems surprised when Scarlett embraces her.
“Eveline helps me at Bridewell Hospital, Stephen. She believes in providing care for the courtesans and women inmates.”
Eveline gives Scarlett an odd look. “No need to brag about my charities. But I do care a lot about those society leaves behind. I could be one of those women, if I had no friends.” The young woman beams at me. “Your Grace, I count you as a friend. Thank you for seeing that my former husband returned my dowry.”
My physician waves over Scarlett’s head, brings the other leader of Cheapside to our group, and says, “Tantie Telma, Auntie Theodora Smith, this is the Duke of Torrance. We were briefly at the Dollar Academy in Scotland together. Formidable then. Formidable now.”
“He said you were different,” Tantie Telma says, “but he forgot to say how charming you were.”
Katherine stays away, until I summon her. She can’t let anyone run her off, not if she is to be useful to our daughter in public.
“Lady Hampton, thank you for joining us this morning.”
“I had no special plans except to be with our daughter,” she says, “but that time I think is special.”
This makes me smile.
“Your Grace,” the baroness says, somewhat cutting in front of Katherine. “I received all my money with interest. Again, I’m forever grateful.” She bows to me, very mindful, very demure.
“Your Grace,” Mrs. Randolph says, “being social in Cheapside as well as Mayfair has much to offer. Baroness Derand is young and has no issue of the blood sickness in her family.”
“Madame Randolph,” I say, “I did not know you were Eveline Gray’s champion.”
