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“No.”

Tears glistened in the servant’s eyes as she tried to console Mama.

Eden gasped and wrenched her attention to his gloating face.

“You’ve no right to evict us. There’s an agreement—”

Simon smirked as he flicked a fleck of dirt off his elbow. “Have your solicitor contact mine. But we both know it will take months before the matter reaches the courts, and I’ll make public your indiscretion. As landlord, I have the right to evict tenants without notice. I’m sure acting the part of a strumpet violates a portion of the contract.”

“Of all the unconscionable, despicable blackguards.” Lord Sterling swore beneath his breath, his face all harsh planes and angles.

“You know full well I cannot afford a solicitor, and we’re not tenants.” Simon might have her on the indiscretion bit though. She’d need to review the document.

Eden swallowed and shook her head to dispel the wave of dizziness and sudden heat battering her. Why had she ever agreed to stay at Perygrim? This entire fiasco would’ve been avoided had she not been impulsive and foolish. Not given in to a ridiculous whim to spend another few minutes with Lord Sterling.

A man far beyond her reach, and now she’d destroyed everything.

“One week, Eglantina.” Simon cast a disinterested gaze about the yard. “Everything and everyone. Anything left behind I’ll order burned.”

She suspected this had been coming for some time, but the reality stole her breath. Casting a frantic glance around, she scoured her mind for a solution.

What would become of Mama? Old Ronald or Mattie? Acorn and Mr. Wiggles? The chickens? Her bees?

Where would they go? They had no one—no one—whom they could impose upon.

Her small savings wouldn’t go far, and without the income from the produce and eggs, she’d never be able to take Mama to Bath for the waters now. That had been a desperate woman’s dream.

Unable to stand the pity deepening Lord Sterling’s eyes or the despair filling Mama’s and Mattie’s, Eden hugged her shoulders and, eyes brimming, chin tucked to her chest, whispered, “What will we do?”

“I truly care not.” Simon gave a snide laugh and cut his lordship a challenging look. “Perhaps Sterling will accommodate you, since he seems so concerned with your well-being.”

She commanded her clamoring thoughts and raging pulse to calm. Overwrought, she was of no use to anyone. Biting her pointer fingernail, she pursed her lips and sucked in a lengthy, steadying breath.

After Simon’s pronouncement, he stomped up the path his sons had disappeared down minutes before.

No one said a word.

Even the chickens ceased cackling.

A moment later, Mama collapsed.