Charity shot her sister a look so lethal that she shut up immediately.
She looked down at Matilda again, and she saw that the child was shivering despite the coat. Her lips were pressed together in a frightened effort to stay quiet, and Charity understood that this was not the moment to demand a confession in the yard, even if she wanted it badly.
“I see,” she said and then lifted her gaze to Duncan and held it. “But maybe, Your Grace, you can rest now. And I can escort my sisters inside.”
“There is no need…”
“I insist,” she said.
In earnest, she wanted him to leave them alone so that she could speak to her sisters privately. But she did not wish to say it outright.
Duncan did not argue with her and turned toward the doors with the lantern still in his hand, leaving Charity with her sisters.
Charity did not speak again until they were inside, and guided them into a smaller sitting room that was close to the entrance hall.
Matilda stood for a second, then she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Charity with sudden force. Charity held her at once, tightening her arms around the child with a protectiveness that felt almost painful.
“Are you both doing all right?” Charity asked, aiming the question at both of them.
She was angry, yes. But she still loved them.
Augusta lifted her chin immediately, and her response came too quickly, which made it sound rehearsed.
“Yes, we’re doing fine.”
Charity looked at her carefully, and she did not argue with the words, even though Augusta’s face was pale and her hands were still tense. Matilda’s voice came muffled against Charity’s cloak.
She knew it was not the time.
“I was just really scared.”
“I know, love,” Charity’s arms tightened around her without her thinking.
Augusta’s eyes flicked toward Matilda with a look. It was clear that she wanted Matilda to stop admitting anything and that she wanted her to hold the line. Being the younger one, Matilda found it much harder to lie easily.
Charity met Augusta’s gaze, and she let the silence stretch for a moment so Augusta would feel that she had been seen.
“Don’t do that.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“Yes, you are trying to make Matilda go quiet,” she went on. “She is telling me the truth, and I suggest that you learn something from her.”
Augusta’s face paled.
“I…”
She rubbed Matilda’s back once, slowly.
“Sit,” Charity said and guided Matilda toward the nearest chair and eased her down. “My darling, you are safe now, and need not worry about anything. All right?”
“I believe you,” Matilda sniffled softly.
Then she looked at Augusta.
“Why do you think it’s acceptable to lie to me?” she asked as calmly as she possibly could.
“I don’t know why you would think I am lying,” Augusta said. “Have I given you any indication?”
