Page 16

Lady Byron was occupied with a leather bound book near the hearth, occasionally glancing over her spectacles to make sure the baby did not decide to decorate the upholstered chairs with his artistic endeavors.

The entire family had gathered around to welcome the baby, making it the first time Leonora and her sisters could properly hold, play with, and adore their newest nephew. Amidst the continuous laughter and the gentle cooing over the child, Seraphina had been casually recounting stories about William and his circle of friends, complaining affectionately about how busy her husband had been with political debates and social obligations.

Leonora stared blindly at the wall opposite her, her mind racing backward through time like a runaway carriage. She recalled now that Anthony was the solitary witness who had stood rigidly beside William at the altar when Seraphina married into the Norwyn family nearly a year prior. Leonora remembered standing four feet away during the endless, suffocating receiving line, entirely consumed by her own thoughts and eager to escape the stifling formality of the church. She had looked right past him, never imagining that the tall, imposing stranger would eventually cross her path in such a bizarre twist of fate.

“What is the matter, Leonora?” Euphemia asked, pausing with her paintbrush hovering over the parchment. “You look as though you have just swallowed something exceedingly bitter.”

Seraphina reached down to pick up the baby, her brow furrowing in confusion as she looked across the room.

Leonora blinked hard, snapping violently out of her daze. She quickly lowered her cup to the table. “Never mind. I was simply trying to place an image in my head. An odd looking portrait I happened to see at the gallery last week.”

Her sisters exchanged skeptical glances, but before either of them could question her further, Leonora decided to turn the conversational tables entirely. She needed information, and since Marian had been wonderfully vague about her grandson’s actual personality, perhaps her own family could provide some honest insight into the man who was currently holding her hostage to domesticity.

“Speaking of your husband’s associates, Seraphina,” Leonora began, pitching her voice with nonchalance. “What is Anthony Sterling actually like? When William talks about him, does he mention any particular flaws?”

“That is an odd question.” Seraphina blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden pivot in the conversation. She adjusted the lace on the baby’s sleeve before answering. “Anthony? I do not interact with him socially all that often, to be entirely honest. He and William have been close friends since their school days, and they share a mutual respect, but Anthony keeps his own counsel. He is fiercely private and rather formidable when he chooses to be.”

“Formidable,” Leonora repeated dryly, a sour taste lingering in her mouth. “That is certainly one word for him.”

“Why do you ask?” Seraphina pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly with suspicion. “Has he crossed your path recently?”

“Not at all,” Leonora lied, though a betraying flush warmed her cheeks. “I was merely curious about William’s closest companions.”

“Well, Anthony is not entirely without merit,” Seraphina murmured thoughtfully. “He can be difficult, yes, but he proved himself a deeply loyal friend when we truly needed him. During that dreadful period when someone was attempting to blackmail me, Anthony played a vital role in helping William track down the origin and put a stop to it. He kept a cool head when everything else was falling apart around us. Because of that, I have always felt gratitude toward him, even if he does possess a rather stubborn streak.”

Leonora felt an irritating prick of discomfort at those words. A part of her hated knowing that Anthony Sterling had a noble, protective side that earned her sister’s admiration. It made it far too difficult to maintain her unadulterated resentment toward him. She shook the feeling off instantly, reminding herself of his manipulative game with the fake engagement and his infuriating smirk. She had no business feeling grateful to a man who was currently bossing her around at Glenhaven. If he pulled any more of his cold, arrogant stunts, she fully intended to retaliate with interest.

Before Leonora could steer the conversation elsewhere, Lady Byron closed her book with a snap and looked directly at them over the rim of her spectacles.

“Speaking of mysterious behavior,” she announced, her voice cutting effortlessly through the drawing room chatter. “Leonora has been darting all over London like a phantom. She went out yesterday afternoon and refused to give anyone so much as a hint about where she was headed.”

Leonora groaned softly, rolling her eyes upward toward the plaster molding on the ceiling. “Lady Byron, you are far too impatient. I was going to tell all of you the moment we were properly gathered together.”

“Well, we are gathered now,” Euphemia pointed out, crossing her arms as she set her paintbrush aside on the tray. “So explain yourself. What is Lady Byron speaking of? Where have you been sneaking off to, and why are you acting so secretive?”

Leonora took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as she faced the family tribunal. “I have found a job. Employment. I will be working in London for the foreseeable future.”

The drawing room went dead silent for three long seconds. The baby let out a cheerful gurgle, banging a wooden block against the rug, but the adults remained entirely frozen in place.

Euphemia was the first to recover her voice, her eyes widening in disbelief. “A job? Leonora, have you lost your mind? Why on earth do you need a job?”

“Because I require occupation,” Leonora replied calmly, lifting her chin in defiance. “I refuse to sit around waiting for the social season to dictate my existence.”

Seraphina immediately stood up, handing the cooing baby over to a nearby nursemaid. “You do not need to work. If you need money, or a home, or support of any kind, you only have to ask us. You know we can provide you with whatever you require.”

“It is what I want, sister,” Leonora said, though she deeply appreciated the loyalty behind her sister’s words. “It is simply a way to occupy my time.”

Euphemia sighed. “But, Leonora –”

“No, let her be,” Lady Byron interjected from the fireside. She leaned forward, resting her hands firmly on her cane. “I rather like the idea. It will give her a sense of responsibility and a real footing in the world outside our drawing rooms. It is good for her spirit. A caged bird forgets how to fly, and I will not have my youngest turning into a decorative ornament.”

Euphemia looked between Lady Byron and Leonora, still deeply reluctant. “If you are truly determined to do this, what kind of work could you possibly be undertaking? You cannot simply walk into a shop and demand a ledger.”

“It is a respectable position,” Leonora assured them, keeping the specifics of her fake betrothal carefully guarded behind a wall of half-truths. “I will be serving as a companion to an elderly dowager duchess, keeping her company, reading to her, and ensuring her daily comfort. It is straightforward, quiet work, and I will be making an impact on her life.”

Her sisters exchanged cautious glances, weighing the description against their knowledge of Leonora’s stubborn independence. Eventually, Seraphina nodded slowly. “Well, if it is merely acting as a companion to an elderly lady, it sounds harmless enough. But I expect you to tell us more about where you are staying and who this woman is.”

“I will give you more details in time,” Leonora promised, sidestepping the demand for the duke’s exact address. “That is as much as I wish to say for now.”