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“Do you … Do you mean my father is in prison?” Livie gasped.

“I’m afraid so.” Her aunt was twisting a handkerchief in her hands. “They must have evidence, or they wouldn’t have taken such a drastic step.”

“Nonsense,” Livie said sharply. “There can be no evidence, as my father is innocent. Isn’t treason an attempt on the life of the King or his heir? Father is a loyal Englishman.”

“Other crimes fall under the same definition,” Lady Wharton said. “Aiding and abetting the enemy, for example.”

“What enemy? Napoleon? He’s immured on Saint Helena, and Father despises him!” Livie pressed the hand Daisy wasn’t clutching against her stomach. “I feel ill.”

“I don’t,” Daisy said. “I feel like killing someone. Do you think they put Uncle in a prison cell with criminals?”

Lady Wharton shook her head. “You needn’t worry about that. My brother will be housed in relative comfort. He’s been taken to Beauchamp Tower.”

“The Tower of London!” Livie gasped. Her mind boggled, thinking of the fates of famous noblemen who had lived—and died—within the Tower’s walls. “This is a nightmare.”

“Beauchamp has housed royal prisoners, Livie. Your father will have his own room; I’ll send fresh bedding and clothing over tomorrow morning. Surely, they will allow his valet to attend him. I’ll dispatch a groom to my husband. Unfortunately, Lord Wharton is in Scotland so the message will take weeks to reach him.”

“Mother couldn’t arrive for at least three weeks,” Livie said, thinking of the long trip to Lancashire. “If she comes.” The truth was, the news would give her mother spasms, and Livie couldn’t imagine her rising from the couch under those circumstances.

“Your father’s aid and comfort rest on our shoulders,” her aunt stated, tacitly agreeing that his wife likely wouldn’t travel to London. “I’ll write to our family solicitor. Hopefully he will be allowed to visit the captain. Certainly, he should be able to receive a copy of the charges against him.”

“May I visit Father?” Livie asked, her voice breaking.

Her aunt shook her head. “I’m afraid not, dear. I doubt they admit family in cases of treason.”

“Surely he can write to me. He writes me every day!” Tears started sliding down Livie’s face. “He hasn’t missed a day since I learned to read.”

“Of course, he will write to you,” her aunt said, leaning forward to hand Livie a handkerchief.

“This has to be a mistake!” Daisy protested. “They must have him mixed up with someone else.”

“Father received a commendation for the Battle of the Dardanelles,” Livie said miserably. “How can this be happening?”

“We will fight it, Livie, with everything we have.” Lady Wharton took a deep breath and looked at her daughter. “We must, because the aftermath of my brother’s arraignment will not fall on Livie alone.”

“I don’t want a voucher to Almack’s if they don’t welcome my cousin,” Daisy said immediately, winding her arm around Livie’s waist. “I’ll happily never enter that door again!”

“The consequences are far graver than a voucher,” her mother stated. “We must prove your uncle’s innocence, Daisy, or your chance of a good marriage will be very slim indeed.” Lady Wharton turned to Livie. “As will be yours, Livie.” The grimness of her tone left no room for doubt.

“Marriage into the family of a traitor,” Lady Wharton continued, “is unheard of. A convicted man’s personal possessions are forfeited to the Crown, which means Livie will be left without a dowry. While we will always care for you and your mother, Livie, we must face the fact that your personal circumstances would be much changed should your father be found guilty. Moreover, this won’t be settled immediately. Months will pass before a date for the tribunal is set.”

Daisy startled. “Our ball!”

“I shall cancel the ball in the morning,” Lady Wharton said. “No one will show their face in our home while Captain Sir Tyron is in custody. I was just saying how tiresome morning calls had grown, was I not? Far too many young men traipsing through our drawing room on the slightest of pretexts, leaving our tables crowded with odious flowers.”

Her aunt had indeed complained, but Livie knew Lady Wharton had been proud of Daisy’s and Livie’s herds of suitors.

“I should never have thought of the ball. What a despicable comment, when our every thought should be with Uncle,” Daisy declared. “Please forgive me.”

Her mother patted Daisy’s knee. “There’s the daughter I know and love. We shall face this as a family, and surmount it as a family, dears. Your father is not alone, Livie. I have powerful friends, and so does my husband.”

“The Duke of Lennox!” Livie exclaimed. “You said that he had great respect for Father.”

“Indeed,” Lady Wharton agreed. “They know each other by way of His Grace’s military service, though, of course, the duke did not serve in the Navy.” She frowned. “It’s unfortunate that the duchess is in a delicate condition once again, or they would be in London. Perhaps I shall travel to Cheshire and speak to him myself.”

“I haven’t met anyone I wanted to marry, anyway,” Daisy declared. “Have you, Livie?”

Livie shook her head. “What happens to traitors who are convicted?”