Chapter 4

Carina took a deep breath and entered the library where she knew that she would find Knight and Bolton and placed Knight's folded suitcoat over the back of a chair.

In the time that she was away from them, and had the chance to change her gown, her mind became much clearer. It was likely because neither one of them was hovering and treating her as a delicate miss soon to suffer from hysteria or require smelling salts.

"Neither one of you will tell Gaia or Lydell what occurred tonight," she announced.

"Why shouldn't my sister know?" Bolton asked.

"She will be even more determined to keep me by her side and introduce me to eligible bachelors."

"We cannot have that," Bolton chuckled as he looked to Knight before he took a sip of his brandy.

"Do not make light of my situation," she rebuffed his blithe response.

Knight handed her a glass of brandy and Carina slipped into a chair.

"While your father's bankruptcy may be frowned upon, it does not disqualify you from marrying a gentleman," Bolton offered in a more serious tone.

"If only it were just bankruptcy," she whispered before taking a drink. "The shame is deep and embarrassing. If I allowed a gentleman to pursue me, there will be questions, and possibly an investigation because Society cannot help themselves, and then someone will learn the awful truth and my name will end up on the tongue of every gossip in England. I am saving myself the embarrassment and irritation by retaining my wallflower, companion and spinster status." She took another sip of the brandy. "I also do this for Gaia. If the truth were known, she would be harmed by her association with me."

"You are not old enough to be a spinster," Knight pointed out.

Was that all he took from her confession? "One day I will be, therefore I might as well become comfortable with that station now."

"What exactly did your father do besides go bankrupt?" Bolton asked.

Carina frowned. "Gaia did not tell you?"

"Nor did my mother, and I assume she knows as well."

Carina glanced at Knight and then Bolton and weighed whether they needed to know the truth, then blew out a heavy sigh.

"Besides being a poor money manager, he was also a thief," she stated bluntly.

"As in he stole things?" Bolton asked.

Knight said nothing, simply sipped his brandy. Likely when she was finished sharing her past, he would no longer attempt to charm her.

"My family was from Genoa. Had it not been for my father sending me to boarding school, I might not have ever met Gaia."

"Why is that?" Felix asked.

"Our mother's family is from Florence," Bolton answered.

"My father led a band of merry men who broke into storehouses along the waterfront, as well as ships, and took items of value and then would travel into France or further down the coast of Italy and sell them. He enjoyed a wealthy and privileged life until he was caught. After his arrest, the creditors came calling and we lost everything, as did his other wife, who lived near the docks."

Knight choked on his brandy.

Most people were shocked, followed by appalled.

"Father spent his time with her when he was busy on the docks deciding what to steal. Then, he would return to the family estate in the country to be with my mother and me. Mother thought his wealth came from being successful in shipping investments."

"A bigamist, thief and bankrupt," Bolton condensed what she had just told them.

"The very reason that if any gentleman learned, they would soon distance themselves and why I will not encourage a courtship."

Carina had always alluded to a scandal, but Felix never imagined that it would be so large.

No wonder she had never allowed suitors and established herself as a wallflower during what was likely Lady Lydell's first Season.

Felix glanced over at Bolton to find him watching him, eyebrows raised in question. Thankfully, Carina didn't notice. He was certain that Bolton was wondering if this information would lessen his desire for Carina.

While most of the gentlemen in Society would avoid such a scandal and never give her serious consideration, Felix was not one of them. Further, Carina should not have to pay for her father's errors in judgment. Now, if he could just convince her to allow him to court her.

"If a gentleman truly cared for you, it would not matter if your father had one wife or five, or how he had attained his wealth," Felix insisted.

Carina laughed. "You know as well as I do the sins of the father are visited upon every relation. It happens all the time."

She was correct. "It would not matter to a man of character."

"As there are so few, it's likely I will not find one." She laughed.

Felix placed a hand over his heart as he straightened. "I believe we have just been insulted, Bolton. Would you not agree?"

"Aye. You do us a grave injustice, Carina."

She snorted. "As neither one of you is willing to give up your bachelor state at this juncture in your life, let alone court an innocent miss, it is easy for you to make such a claim."

"'Tis true," Bolton agreed. "However, if I were of a mind to marry, such an inconvenient family history would not sway me if I truly wished the miss for myself."

"Well, we will just hope that your future bride does not bring family scandals with her so that you are not tested," she teased.

"Actually, I believe a family scandal would likely make her far more interesting, do you not agree, Knight?" Bolton asked.

"I do. At least she would come from a family that was not afraid to step outside of the rules Society has decided everyone must live by."

"Excuse me, Mr. Knight, but there is a gentleman to see you. A Mr. Godfrey."

Carina frowned. "Who is he?"

"Close friend to Clarkston, is he not?" Bolton asked.

"I would assume," Felix answered. "Would you please excuse us, Carina." She should not be part of this conversation as it would be highly improper, but surely, she knew what it was regarding, as she'd been standing there when the challenge was issued.

"Why should I do so? Why would a friend of that horrid gentleman call on you?"

Felix pulled back. Was she so innocent, or had she not heard. "It matters not. We need a private conversation."

Carina frowned, but Felix knew that she would insist on answers later.

"Very well, but I will demand answers when I return."

"They will likely not be provided," Felix informed her.