Thirteen

THIRTEEN

A half dozen awkward seconds later

Aubriella would switch the conveyance for a mail coach in Westerham, so Mosely didn’t have to suffer in the snow. She’d only brought a small purse but would collect her savings from her room in London. As long as the Ladies of Opportunity continued their secret betting, she’d have an income to rely upon.

“Of course, miss.” The maid gave her a puzzled glance, but nodded and retreated in the direction she’d come.

After taking the stairs two at a time, Aubriella raced to her bedchamber as if the hounds of hell nipped her heels. The need to escape, to flee, so overwhelmed her she trembled. Excitement and anticipation dueled with fear and apprehension about what she was about to do—the adventure she was about to embark upon.

It’s about time , her soul sang.

No, it was long, long overdue.

She’d either gone stark raving mad or finally found the courage to spread her wings.

Shoving her chamber door open, she all but ran inside.

Roxina, sitting in an armchair with her hair spilling around her shoulders, gasped and jerked her head upward.

“Whatever is the matter, Aubriella?”

“Let’s leave. Now. I’ve already ordered the coach brought ’round to take me to the village. From there, I’ll hire a mail coach to London.” That would also put anyone inclined to follow off her trail.

Not that anyone would notice her absence.

Naturally, Mosely, bless his loyal heart, would feel the need to inform Papa of her abrupt departure.

Who knew what Aubriella’s father would do?

Anything?

Aubriella threw the wardrobe open. “What say you, Zina?”

Roxina was on her feet before Aubriella finished speaking.

“Yes, Elli.” She gave an eager nod and swiftly began gathering her clothing. She paused, a mended stocking dangling from one hand. “You should know that Tellinger is selling my house—well, not exactly selling it. Using it as collateral against a loan.”

Hairbrush midair, Aubriella paused and half-turned. “He’s what ?”

She couldn’t prevent the slight, appalled shriek on the last syllable.

That was why Roxina was in the state she was in.

“Mitchel mortgaged the house to the hilt and defaulted on the loan. Shelby bought the mortgage six years ago so I would have a place to live.” She sighed, her shoulders sagging. “But recently, Mitchel impersonated Shelby and borrowed a thousand pounds from nefarious fiends.”

“Oh my, Lord.” Aubriella felt sick for her friend. “What a vile, unconscionable fiend to put his sister in such jeopardy.”

Roxina swiped a tendril of dark hair off her pale cheek.

“Now Shelby has to use the house as security.” She stared blankly out the window, where snow continued to filter from the sky. “I’ve nowhere to go.”

Aubriella dropped her hairbrush into her satchel and unceremoniously plopped the other dressing table contents into the bag with alacrity.

“You most certainly do, too. You shall live with me.” She grabbed Roxina’s hand. “We’re going to my Aunt Astrid’s. She left her house to me, and it’s far past time I took my life into my own hands. I’ve never fit in with my family. They won’t even miss me. In point of fact, I think they’ll be relieved to see the last of me.”

Sadly, that was true.

“What about the Ladies of Opportunity ?” Roxina shoved clothing into her small bag before hurrying to the dressing table. She wound her shiny locks into a simple knot, securing it with a few pins. “I confess, I rely upon that income. It is my sole source of funds at present. Mitchel stopped providing household funds months ago. Now I know why.”

“The Ladies of Opportunity shall continue as we have always done.” Aubriella also depended upon the income and would now, more than ever. “Of course, we’ll have to find a new location for our meetings and journey to London to attend them, but it’s only ten miles from Aunt Astrid’s. Perhaps, we shall expand our ventures. Discreetly, of course.”

Roxina pulled her winged brows together. “I’ll need to go to the house to pack my personal things.”

Aubriella needed to collect a few items herself, including da Vinci’s drawings.

Face ravaged with grief, Roxina swallowed and knuckled away a tear. “Shelby’s also using the furnishings to repay Mitchel’s debt. Not that the out of fashion, worn out furniture will bring much coin.”

“God rot Shelby Tellinger for an unscrupulous, self-serving cad.” Aubriella glanced around, double-checking that she’d packed all her belongings before crossing to the bell pull.

“He had no choice, Aubriella.” Roxina fastened the threadbare frogs of her cloak.

Roxina, defending her nemesis, brought Aubriella up short. “How so?”

“Mitchel borrowed money from dangerous men.” Roxina slipped her shoes on. “Shelby doesn’t have the cash to repay them. He didn’t say as much, but I believe they threatened him. He’s as much a victim as I am.”

Eyebrows arched in disbelief, Aubriella snorted. “ Pshaw . What tripe. Men are never as desperate as women. Did he mention selling his house or using it as collateral?”

Mouth parted, Roxina stared at her. “No. He did not.”

“There you have it.” Aubriella pursed her lips, still frothing with frustration. “The inarguable truth is, men simply cannot be trusted. I won a wager last night, and Jackson Matherfield has already reneged. Without a jot of compunction or remorse, I might add. Had I been a man, I doubt he would’ve dared such blatant disregard.”

Roxina crossed to her and took her hand. “I trust you’ll tell me about this mysterious private wager on the way?”

“I shall.” Aubriella gave a distracted nod. “We need to hurry, however. The snow increases, Zina, and we must stop in London before continuing to Aunt Astrid’s. Once in Town, I intend to hire a hack to take us the distance, so pack sparingly.”

Roxina snorted this time. “Have no fear there. I own little.”

Aubriella’s heart pinched with sympathy, but Roxina was as proud as Aubriella and despised any show of pity.

Roxina laughed, a sad, hollow-sounding warble, despite her intrepidness.

“Let’s swear off men, dear friend.” She linked her arm with Aubriella’s. “And vow to remain spinsters. We’ll steer the ships of our lives and disdain the winds of fate, society, and men filling our sails to control us.”

“Indeed.” A wave of sadness sluiced through Aubriella. For a few days, Jack had ensured she wasn’t treated as an invisible wallflower. He’d even kissed her as if he truly desired her. With a ragged sigh, she shoved her ruminations into a moldering closet and locked the door. “Who needs men, anyway?”

What she experienced this past week would have to be enough. Yet even as she made her way below with Roxina, Aubriella knew it never would be.