If the Duke of Huntley’s butler was at all surprised to see three well-dressed young married ladies of varying aristocratic lineage knocking on the front door that afternoon, he betrayed his surprise by neither word nor deed. In fact, Alexandra had to wonder at the poor servant’s shock when the three ladies introduced themselves as the Duchess of Claringdon, the Countess of Swifdon, and Mrs. Garrett Upton. But the butler must have recovered himself soon after they announced they were here to see Lady Alexandra Hobbs and not Lady Lavinia, who was indisposed at any rate, as she was upstairs having fittings with her modiste, Madame Bergeron. Lady Alexandra, however, was quite free to receive company and was sitting in the drawing room, working on her embroidery, when the three esteemed ladies marched into the room. They came in looking like a set of well-heeled fairy godmothers in smart gowns and kid gloves, their bonnets having been removed at the door. Alex glanced up from her embroidery, looked twice, and watched in awe as they fanned out around her, took seats, and deftly asked the butler for tea.
“I assume you received my note, Cass,” Alex said, letting her embroidery fall to her lap.
“I did indeed, and I was entirely horrified,” Cass replied.
Alex furrowed her brow. “I do hope you’re not here to attempt to convince me to forgive Owen, because I simply cannot—”
“We’re not here to convince you of anything, Alex. But you must listen to us,” Cass said quietly.
“We’ve done some investigating,” Jane announced. She did not have a book in her hand. This had to be serious.
Lucy nodded. “Yes, even Jane got involved this time.”
Jane shrugged. “I cannot abide injustice. It’s a particular vexation of mine. And I do have a bit of experience when it comes to sleuthing about.”
“Investigating? Injustice? Sleuthing? But what has this to do with me?” Alex turned her head in a wide arc to meet each of their gazes.
“Something about the story you sent to Cass didn’t quite make sense, dear,” Lucy said. “So I summoned your sister’s maid.”
Alex blinked. “Martha?”
“Yes, a lovely woman. I asked her to tell me what she knew, and she did. I don’t know what it is about me, but people always seem to tell me the truth. It’s as if I’m a vicar or something.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far.” Jane rolled her eyes.
“Regardless,” Lucy sniffed, “Martha was quite a source of information. I learned long ago—if you want to know a lady’s secrets, start with her maid. They know everything, don’t they?”
The two other ladies nodded.
“Martha told me the entire sordid story,” Lucy continued.
Alex frowned. “What sordid story?”
“Why, the fact that your dear sister placed a false engagement announcement in the Times and then lied to you about accepting Owen’s suit.”
Alex’s eyebrows shot up. “False engagement announcement?”
“Seems she overheard Owen when he came to speak with your father. Owen informed the duke that he would no longer be paying court to Lavinia. He mentioned that he wanted to offer for your hand instead and would be back to do so as soon as he’d secured your agreement. Only he didn’t mention your name specifically. But apparently, Lavinia guessed.”
Alex scowled. “I don’t understand.”
Jane nudged her spectacles. “Your sister overheard it all and became positively green with jealousy.”
Alex expelled her breath. “But she never even wanted him.”
“It appears she changed her mind the moment it became clear that he not only no longer wanted her but wanted you instead,” Lucy continued.
“Which is positively horrid!” Cass declared loyally.
“Egad, she’s worse than Mrs. Langford, the woman who tried to steal Garrett from me. But at least Mrs. Langford wasn’t my own sister!” Jane exclaimed.
“I cannot believe she’s my sister,” Alex said brokenly.
“Believe it, dear. I have the story straight from Martha,” Lucy said. “Lavinia even had Martha deliver the announcement to the Times, the beast. Of course, the poor girl had no idea what it was at the time. She was quite distressed when she later found out what she’d done. She likes you quite a lot, Alex. She says you’ve always treated her with much more kindness than Lavinia has.”
Alex pressed a hand to her cheek. “That’s not difficult to do.” Her heart ached for poor Martha, forced to carry out her sister’s awful plot. But her overwhelming feeling was disgust. Disgust and anger at Lavinia. “I can’t believe she did this. Even for Lavinia, it’s so low.”
“She’s quite vile,” Lucy continued. “Apparently, she told Martha the entire tale as if she’d find it amusing. Your sister has much to learn about female friendships. Martha, poor dear, was afraid for her position, of course, but I assured her that should she be released from your sister’s employ, I’ve no doubt I can locate a suitable position for her in my household.”
Alex stood and paced across the room. She pressed a hand to her middle. “I feel sick.”
“I would, too,” Cass offered sympathetically. “I’m so sorry we had to tell you this.”
Alex made her way over to the window and braced her other hand against the pane. She stared outside in silence for several long moments. Finally, she turned back to her friends. “You know, I once told Owen he didn’t believe in himself. But I haven’t believed in myself either. I’ve allowed my sister to dictate everything to me my entire life. It always seemed normal to me. Mother was so adamant about Lavinia’s feelings and Lavinia’s desires. I was always an afterthought. I never even had friends, because Mother wanted me to be at Lavinia’s beck and call.”
“Not having friends is so sad, dear,” Lucy said. “I hope you’ll consider the three of us your friends from now on.”
“And Daphne, too,” Cass added. “You’ve yet to meet her but I just know the two of you will get on famously.”
“I will,” Alex said, wiping tears from her eyes. “I do. I’m absolutely privileged to call you all my friends. And as for kowtowing to Lavinia, I’m absolutely sick of it. I refuse to do it one moment longer. Not after this. I knew she was mean and selfish, but I never believed she’d stoop to this. I think that’s partially why I believed her. I just couldn’t imagine she’d do … this. I just—” Alex paced away again, biting her fingernail. “I only wish I knew what to do … about Owen.”
Jane marched over and patted Alex on the shoulder. “It’s become so complicated, you need all of us to work it out. That’s what friends do. We help each other. We’ll think of some way for you to get Owen back.”
“But I was so awful to him. I refused him. I told him I wouldn’t accept his suit if he were the last man on earth.”
Cass winced. “Not a particularly fine moment, but one that I’ve no doubt can be corrected.”
Alex looked up at her with more tears in her eyes. “Do you truly think so?”
“Absolutely,” Lucy replied, her different-color eyes sparkling. “But you’re going to have to be bold!”