Page 75 of Aurelia

“Guustin isn’t my brother because we don’t share the same mother or the same father.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you weren’t too high and mighty to listen to pernicious gossip you might have heard about it already. Although I’m surprised the Hatchet didn’t tell you the very first night.”

“Tell me what, pray?”

“The earl is not my real father, Miss Burton.”

Aurelia had no response. As much as she would have liked to know what in the world Celsa meant—and who had told her such a thing—this was not the sort of conversation she wanted to have on her way out the door. Or at any time, really.

“Aren’t you going to deny it, Miss Burton? Aren’t you going to say something prim and irritating about how good girls don’t say such things?”

“I am not going to say anything of the sort. But I do hope that you—”

“I don’t care what you hope!” Celsa spun on her heel and stormed from the room throwing her parting words over her shoulder. “Just go with Guustin. Go with him every day, for all I care. I didn’t want to ride with you, anyhow!”

Aurelia began to go after her, but then stopped. What could she say to calm her? She knew nothing about the claim the girl had made.

Could it really be true? Was Celsa not the earl’s child?

***

“You have an excellent seat, Miss Burton,” Captain Walker said as they left the stables a short time later.

“Thank you. I used to ride a great deal as a child, but it has been some years.”

“Why did you stop?”

“Our family was forced to retrench several years ago and horses—at least hacks for me and my sisters—were among the first luxuries to go.”

“That is unfortunate.” He hesitated and then asked, “Is your family’s financial situation the reason why you’ve taken this post?”

“In part. But I have been illustrating for several years, so this isn’t my first position, just the first time I have worked away from home.”

“And your mother and father are… sanguine about your decision.”

“My father is gone, but, no, my mother was most unhappy.”

“I’m sorry about your father. You have other siblings?”

“I have four sisters and one brother.”

Guustin Walker was an attentive conversationist and kept Aurelia so busy answering his questions that she was startled when he stopped his mount not far from a lovely manor house. “We are here,” he said, smiling at her look of surprise.

“I have done nothing but talk about myself the entire ride, Captain Walker!”

“Ah, but that was my plan. I already know all about myself, you see.” He dismounted and then came around to help her down and handed the reins over to a young boy who trotted out from behind the house.

“You must tell me about you on the ride back,” Aurelia said.

“I will—but I would ask one thing first. I know it is forward of me, but I will be here for several months and we will likely be thrown together often, so won’t you call me Guustin?”

It was forward, but then how could she say no when Arthur used her Christian name. “Of course. Please call me Aurelia.”

“The name is lovely and suits you.”

“Guustin!” a voice called out before Aurelia could respond. A tall, beautiful blonde woman stood in the doorway. “I am so glad you are here.”