Chapter 37

Hyacinth

Hy finished giving a brutally honest retelling of the Countess of Addiscombe's behavior to her gawking siblings—even Doddy, whom she knew they had all been treating like a child for far too long—and looked from face to face, waiting for somebody to speak.

"I know this will sound horrid, but I am glad she will be gone in the morning," Phoebe said, her hand absently stroking her belly. "She made me ill—and she drove Needham to distraction. We have all given her chance after chance. I know it is unnatural of me to say such a thing about my own mother, but until she relents and changes her ways… Well, I do not want her poison infecting my own children."

"I agree," Selina said. "At least about sending her back to Bath. As to her relenting?" Selina shook her head. "I do not see that ever happening."

Hy never would have believed that her gentle sibling would utter such a harsh prognostication.

"Please tell me I will never have to go to her again," Katie said, the words aimed at Hy. "She has been threatening me with returning to Bath with her ever since I arrived at Wych House."

Phoebe, Selina, and Aurelia all spoke at once.

"Needham and I would love—"

"You are welcome at—"

"Crewe has already mentioned that—"

"Thank you—all of you!" Katie said, her eyes glassy as they slid from face to face, ending with Hy, her watery smile fading. "I would like to remain with you, Hy, if you and His Grace will have me after—after everything."

Hy couldn't help noticing that her youngest sister looked her age for the first time in months. Katie was just a girl still, no matter how much she tried to behave otherwise.

Doubtless she was recalling their discussion after Katie had confessed to locking Shelton and Miss Martin in the attic. It did not matter that the ending was a beneficial one for the pair; Hy was still horrified that her sister had done such a reckless thing.

She pushed the thought away for now, and said, "Chatham and I were hoping you would stay with us through the Season and beyond." It wasn't a lie. Sylvester had greatly enjoyed watching Katie terrorize Shelton and Fowler—yet again proving that her husband was twisted in more ways than one—and Hy appreciated anything that gave her husband that much pleasure. While Shelton would marry and move to his estate, Katie could still toy with Fowler. Even Hy had to admit she enjoyed watching such a huge man go about in terror of her little sister.

"As you all know," Aurelia said, her quiet voice drawing everyone's attention, "our mother told me I was no longer her daughter—that I was dead to her—months ago when I took the position in Scotland. While her opinion altered when I showed up married to Crewe, she expressed no remorse for her behavior and commenced to enumerate my husband's shortcomings and what I needed to do to overcome them." She gave an unamused laugh. "That was before she heard who Nora and Guustin were. She has not said a word to me since learning their identities. Crewe said, and I could not blame him, that if her treatment of Needham was any indication of what her approval looked like, he could live without it."

"She told me Caius was an embarrassment and should stay in the country when I went to London," Selina said, her beautiful face looking angrier than Hy had ever seen her.

"She told me I will be coming to Bath in the summer," said a quiet male voice.

All heads turned toward Doddy. Their brother had been so reserved that it had been easy to overlook him. But the anguish in his voice spoke louder than a shout.

"I will tell Needham, Doddy. You will never have to go," Phoebe said. "He will use the only persuasion the countess respects: money."

Doddy sighed, looking pained and old beyond his years. "Pheeb, I can't keep relying on your husband to solve my problems." He looked around at the rest of them, raising a staying hand before they could speak. "Or any of your husbands, either."

His blue eyes were more troubled than Hy had ever seen them, making her wonder what sort of experience he'd had at school. She had asked Sylvester about Eton, and he had confirmed every suspicion she'd had and more about the brutality that often occurred there.

"There is no shame in taking help from your family. Certainly not while you are not yet of age," Hy said, holding her brother's gaze. "We are your family and taking care of you is both our duty and our honor, Doddy. And one day, when you are old enough and have your own children, or if you are ever called upon to take care of ours, you will know I speak the truth."

Her sisters nodded.

But Doddy looked unconvinced. "All I have done is take, Hy." He gestured to the elegant, freshly decorated room around them. "Needham has poured a fortune into this house, and it is all going to benefit me. He pays for my schooling. He pays for the clothing on my back. He pays for everything ."

Phoebe struggled to her feet and went to sit beside their brother, draping an arm around his slumped shoulders. "At the risk of sounding vulgar, the money Needham is spending on both the house and your schooling is a proverbial drop in the bucket, Doddy. Would you have him stint you when it is something he can do with little cost to himself? And it is also something he does for me ."

Doddy nodded, but Hy could see it would take time—if ever—before he felt easy in accepting so much help. She thought it spoke well of his character.

"Your impulse is decent, Doddy," Selina said, speaking Hy's thoughts. "You aren't behaving like Mama and Papa, with your hand constantly extended."

"Which brings up a matter Hy, Selina, and I discussed the day of the skating party," Aurelia said, turning to Hy—as if suddenly she were the one to lead them. Was that a dubious benefit of rank?

Hy nodded to indicate she recalled their conversation.

"Crewe wishes to share the burden of supporting both our parents," Aurelia said.

"Shaftsbury has said the same," Selina agreed.

"As has Chatham," Hy said.

They all turned to Phoebe.

She sighed. "Needham expected your offers of help and is pleased to accept them. He suggested we all assemble after the guests have gone and discuss what is to be done about Papa." She grimaced. "He has repeatedly outstripped his allowance, which is shockingly generous. Mama, for all that she is impossible, at least is not profligate."

"Shaftsbury says that Father will never be brought into line as long as he is one of the Regent's set," Selina said.

"That is Chatham's opinion, as well," Hy said.

Phoebe nodded. "Then let us ponder possible solutions and discuss them before we leave for London."

"And before I leave for Eton," Doddy added, not looking especially happy.

"You do not have to go back," Selina said, giving their little brother—who looked to have lost weight and appeared even more fragile than ever—a concerned glance. "Shaftsbury and I would love to have you come live with us."

Doddy smiled. "I appreciate your kind offer. But I need to go back."

Privately, Hy agreed. Her brother was a peer and would one day wield political influence that would affect hundreds of dependents. A place like Eton might be brutal, but he would learn about his responsibilities there.

Phoebe patted Doddy's hand. "Well, now that all that is settled—"

"There is one more thing," Hy said.

The other five turned to her.

Hy cleared her throat. "Er, I suspect that we shall have a wedding to prepare for."

Phoebe's eyes bulged. "You think Miss Martin and Lord Shelton would agree to marry here ?"

"Shelton has a special license."

"That is where he went?" Aurelia asked, looking amused.

Hy permitted herself a slight smile. "Chatham said he made miraculous time to get to London and back. He did not look like a man who wanted to wait when last I saw him."

"A wedding!" Phoebe breathed. "And with Wych Chapel just restored! Oh, but how will we ever manage a wedding and all these guests?"

Selina laughed. "Don't worry, Phoebe, you won't have to do it all yourself. We will all pitch in."

"It will be a pleasure," Aurelia said.

Hy wisely did not offer any assistance.

"Stacia has no father or mother to represent her interests," Katie said, the grim look in her eyes made Hy wonder, yet again, what had happened to make her little sister so pragmatic.

"Needham will do it," Phoebe immediately said.

When Selina and Aurelia looked prepared to protest, Hy threw her vote behind her younger sister. "I think that is an excellent idea, Phoebe. He is master here and the wedding will take place beneath his roof."

The others nodded.

"Who would have believed that any woman could bring Shelton up to scratch," Selina said, looking delighted.

"Chatham is still in a state of shock. Pleased shock but shock all the same. In my opinion, Shelton is the lucky one," Hy couldn't help adding.

Selina laughed. "You never did like him."

Hy had never told her sister about encountering Shelton at the various London gambling hells and how badly the handsome marquess had behaved. "I do not dislike him," she felt compelled to say.

Katie gave her a skeptical look.

But Hy was not lying. She was impressed that Shelton possessed the good sense to choose Miss Martin as his mate. Her husband's too-attractive cousin had been lost in self-indulgent debauchery—and the past—for far too long. Mariah, the woman both Sylvester and Shelton had been in love with was dead and gone. It was time to move on. Past time.

"I think she is perfect for him," Phoebe said, and then suddenly sat bolt upright. "Oh dear! I have quite forgotten it is Christmas and there is a ball in progress." She laughed. "And I am the hostess."

Hy had been hoping everyone might forget and they could all just retire to their chambers. But, accepting the new mantle that had been thrust upon her, she nodded at her sister and stood. "Let us rejoin the guests. There will be plenty of time to discuss wedding plans after we actually consult the bride and groom."