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Humiliation ricocheted through Jacqueline as she rushed upstairs. She reached her bedchamber just in time to empty her stomach. Not long after, a wet towel settled against her cheeks and comforting arms guided her toward the bed. She trembled from her sickness and the upsetting emotions Lord Falcone had invoked in her. Aunt Susanna whispered soft words of comfort and dried her tears. Jacqueline curled up in a ball and shivered uncontrollably. She heard Abigail arrive and question about her welfare, but their conversation sounded far away. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the past hour.
When she ran from the garden and encountered Griffen, she’d seen him laughing with her uncle, and his newfound hope swept off him in waves. She wanted to seek comfort in his arms, but her doubts froze her in place. As he drew closer, the odor from the fish filled the hallway and sent her stomach roiling. Falcone’s accusation already sickened her, but the actual smell of the fish was more than her stomach could bear.
She heard Aunt Susanna leave, and Abigail settled in a chair by her bed. Jacqueline had no explanation to offer, nor did she want to discuss what she had learned. Abigail’s silence soothed her frazzled emotions. She only hoped her sisters and Gemma wouldn’t learn about her ordeal. Jacqueline wasn’t ready to confess her secret to them.
She should have known better.
Evelyn and Gemma rushed in mere minutes later, asking over her welfare at once. Jacqueline swiped at her eyes. “I do not wish to discuss why I am upset.”
They looked toward Abigail for her to explain. “It is not my place, and I must abide by Jacqueline’s wishes.”
Evelyn nodded. “Then how can we help you?”
“I wish to stay overnight with Charlie. Can you help me prepare?”
“Of course we will,” Gemma answered.
Evelyn pulled Jacqueline’s valise from the wardrobe and packed her a few essentials for her stay while Abigail went to find a footman to ready a carriage. Once Evelyn finished, they walked down to the carriage. Jacqueline settled in the seat and turned to thank them, but Evelyn, Gemma, and Abigail climbed in to join her for the ride.
“There is no need for you to ride along.”
“Yes, there is. Something has upset you, and we wish to show our support as you have done over the years,” Evelyn explained.
Jacqueline swallowed, too choked to reply.
Abigail squeezed her hand. “It will all be well.”
Jacqueline bit her lip to keep from crying and stared out the window. The horses started off, and the comforting silence only a family could offer filled the carriage. At that point, Jacqueline didn’t know if Abigail’s words would ring true. How could they? She had fallen in love with a gentleman she didn’t even know. But didn’t she? She felt she understood Griffen better than she understood herself. Also, Falcone spoke of an incident from Griffen’s past, when she wasn’t a part of his life. However, the depravity of the situation bothered her. Was he capable of still behaving in the same manner?
When they arrived, the butler greeted them and showed them into the parlor. Charlie rushed into the room before they had even taken off their bonnets. “What do we owe this surprise? Jasper and I were preparing to ride over early for dinner.”
“I do not mean to impose, but may I stay overnight?”
Charlie’s eyebrows drew together, and she swept the room, but no one offered an explanation. She noticed the sadness in Jacqueline’s gaze. “Of course. I will have a room prepared.”
Before Jacqueline could tell her there was no rush, Charlie left the parlor. When she didn’t return, Jacqueline wondered what kept her. In the meantime, a servant arrived and served them tea. The other ladies talked amongst themselves while Jacqueline kept replaying Falcone’s accusation.
Minutes later, Charlie returned with Sinclair by her side. The lord wore a pensive look. Usually, when something troubled one of them, they kept it within their small circle of ladies. However, Charlie included her husband today, and Jacqueline was thankful for his calm demeanor. She and Sinclair shared a close friendship. Perhaps he could shed some light on her predicament.
Sinclair offered a comforting smile. “I hear you will be our guest for the evening. It will upset my mother to learn that she missed you. However, Charlie and I will enjoy your company.”
Jacqueline attempted to return his smile but failed. “Thank you, Sinclair, for your kindness.”
Charlie tilted her head to the side, allowing her shrewd gaze to settle on Jacqueline. Her sister was the most observant of them all and realized something was amiss. “What has he done? Tell me and I will have Jasper remove him from Uncle Theo’s estate.”
Sinclair laughed, guiding Charlie to sit down. He stood behind her. “We will not take decisive action against Kincaid when we don’t know of his misstep.”
A sob escaped Jacqueline.
“Do we?” Sinclair growled.
Jacqueline tried to explain, but her shoulders racked with sobs and tears streamed along her cheeks. Evelyn wrapped her arm around Jacqueline and drew her close. Evelyn nodded at Abigail to explain. Abigail sent Jacqueline a questioning stare, and Jacqueline nodded her acceptance.
“This afternoon during our walk in the garden with Lord Falcone, we fell into the discussion about disreputable gentlemen. Lady Eden baited the lord with indications that she referred to him. He took offense when she wouldn’t allow him to defend himself.”
Charlie laughed. “I take it Lady Eden does not find Lord Falcone to be an upstanding gentleman. I noticed the hostility she held toward him, but I attributed it to him not paying her any attention.”
“My sister-in-law holds no interest in Lord Falcone, only displeasure at his pursuit of Abigail and the attention he pays Jacqueline when it is a known fact Uncle Theo has promised each lady to another gentleman,” Evelyn explained.
Abigail bristled. “I am promised to no other gentleman. And I enjoy Lord Falcone’s company immensely, and you can inform Eden so.”
Evelyn cringed. “I did not mean to imply otherwise Abigail. I only state how Eden perceives your situation. On my return, I shall set her straight.”
Abigail nodded. “Thank you. Please see that you do.”
Sinclair cleared his throat. “This does not explain the reason for Jacqueline’s turmoil and how it involves Kincaid.”
“In his defense, Lord Falcone explained a scandal his sister became embroiled in because of Lord Kincaid’s interest. His married sister, I might add,” Abigail explained.
“Is Uncle Theo aware of Lord Kincaid’s misdeeds?” Charlie asked.
Gemma scoffed. “I am sure our uncle is well aware of Kincaid’s faults. He probably bailed him out of the situation, making him indebted to him as Ralston was.”
“If that is the case, then Jasper will send him on his way.” Charlie’s voice rose with agitation.
Sinclair rested his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Calm down, my love.” He looked at Jacqueline. “Do you wish for Kincaid to leave?”
Jacqueline shrugged. “I am so confused. I do not see him capable of Lord Falcone’s accusation. Maybe I don’t know his true character as well as I thought I did.”
Sinclair arched a brow. “Do you not?
Jacqueline stood up and paced around the parlor. “I am not so sure. How could he have acted as he did?”
“What did he do? Perhaps Lord Falcone is mistaken,” Gemma asked.
Jacqueline stopped, facing them. “No, he was most adamant about Griffen’s nefarious deeds. Even gloated when he slandered his name.”
Jacqueline’s temper rose the more she thought about Falcone’s slander. Did Lord Falcone set out to destroy their relationship? And if so, why?
“The marquess spoke of how Griffen played a game of billiards with his sister’s husband, making a bet for the sister’s affection as the prize. If Griffen won, then he could continue to pursue an affair with the lady,” Jacqueline explained.
Gemma and Evelyn gasped at the scandalous bet. Blushes spread across every lady’s cheeks. Every lady but Charlie. Her scandalous behavior in the past prevented anything from shocking her.
“Oh, my. I clearly underestimated the viscount. And to think I thought he was a proper bore. My, my! He will keep your marriage interesting, dear sister.” Charlie waggled her brows.
“Charlotte!” Evelyn exclaimed.
Charlie shrugged. “What? I only speak the truth. The viscount is a walking contradiction. Lady Noel had him right, he is most divine.”
“No, he is most scandalous. And we were correct in making Jacqueline end their affair,” Evelyn argued.
“Neither of you may make that decision. Only Jacqueline,” Sinclair stated.
Abigail nodded. “I agree.”
“As do I,” Gemma seconded.
“What do you advise, Sinclair?” Jacqueline trusted his opinion. He wasn’t only a friend but a brother due to his marriage to Charlie.
“I believe you should give him a chance to defend himself. It is obviously an occurrence in his past and doesn’t reflect the gentleman he is today. If you don’t believe him after he explains, then you will have your answer.”
Jacqueline nodded. “I thought along the same lines, but I fear I allow my scattered emotions to make my judgements. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I also fear the unknown.”
Sinclair trailed his hand down Charlie’s arm to clasp her hand. “That is understandable. Now, I am not defending Kincaid by any means. But as a gentleman who made many foolish mistakes in my youth, I ask that you do not judge him so harshly. After all, he is but a mere mortal and allowed imperfections.”
Jacqueline’s gaze followed Sinclair’s hand and she smiled at the affection he showed Charlie. She found joy in their love and the love everyone else in her family had found this past year. Everyone but Abigail. Hopefully, Lucas would discover how precious Abigail was. She wanted the same for herself. Griffen offered it to her, but she allowed her fear to keep her from grasping and holding it close. Now she must deal with her fear and fight for what she most desired. She’d found the security she craved with Griffen.
“Do you mind if I stay?”
“No, we do not mind. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I have some business I must attend to.” Sinclair brought Charlie’s hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on it.
Everyone in the room sighed and caused Charlie to blush. She still wasn’t accustomed to the loving attention Jasper paid her in front of others. While nothing else caused her cheeks to redden, his love always did.
Charlie rolled her eyes. “Since Jasper left, you must explain why you never called off your affair with Lord Kincaid. I never had the chance to question you after Evelyn and I interrupted your game of billiards. Which, I must add, steamed the room.”
Jacqueline blushed, remembering the billiards game and the bets they’d both fulfilled. “Yes, well, after a few kisses with Lord Kincaid, he tempted me into changing my mind.”
“Yes, kisses from the one you most desire affects one so,” Gemma gushed.
Jacqueline hesitated before making her next announcement. She only felt love and pride with the news she was about to share. And she knew none of them would judge her because they were her warm, caring family who had only ever offered support.
She took a deep breath and placed her hands across her stomach. “There is another small issue soon to grow much larger.”
The reaction she received was as expected. Each lady gasped and wrapped her in a hug. Then they explained their glee, ushering Jacqueline to sit down. Charlie and Evelyn sat on each side of her, placing their hands on her stomach.
“We are going to be an aunt!” they exclaimed together.
Jacqueline laughed. “Yes. The very best of aunts.”
Gemma rubbed her stomach. “We will become mamas around the same time.”
Abigail smiled. “Congratulations.”
Jacqueline reached out for Abigail’s hand. “Do not give up hope.”
Abigail wiped away a stray tear. “’Tis not about me right now, but you.”
Jacqueline nodded. She understood how Abigail tired of hearing the same request. And Jacqueline couldn’t blame her. It just broke her heart that they’d all found happiness while Abigail waited for Lucas to admit his feelings.
“In the meantime, what are your plans?” Charlie asked.
A devilish smile crossed Jacqueline’s face. “I plan to seduce my viscount.”