Pheme's Regret by Sue London

Author:Sue London
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-09-29T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nic could see that his question sparked a reaction in Lady Spencer. She raised her chin defiantly.

“I’ve helped others many times. The countess Jacqueline Wolfe is married because of me.”

“How did you accomplish that exactly?”

“When it became clear that the earl was not inclined to do right by her and marry her, after they’d been found in a compromising position I wrote about how they were found in the library. It had been a fortnight, so although there were very few of us who knew at the time the news had already spread a bit anyway.”

He gave a hollow laugh. “And you consider that to be a good use of your influence?”

“They’re quite happily married,” she said defensively.

“I’m honestly not sure if you understand the ramifications of your behavior.”

She stood, pointing at her door. “Go to your own room, M. Baudin. I’ll not be lectured all evening by you.”

Clearly he had pricked her pride, and he wasn’t sure he was sorry for it. He stood, feeling clearer-headed but still wobbly. His first step, however, had him listing into the very woman he’d just insulted.

“M. Baudin!” she exclaimed as his hands closed on her shoulders.

“Just a moment, please,” he begged, closing his eyes in hopes of regaining his equilibrium. Why did she have to be so… so… her. She repelled and attracted him in equal measure. Did she truly not see any errors in her trading of information for her own gain? In pulling puppet strings that affected others’ lives so deeply? How was it hers to decide who should marry? Who should be disowned? Who should grow up without a mother…

He tried to remind himself that he was doing this for Mlle Davy. That the girl’s happiness was what truly mattered. Perhaps it would be a burden to have a mother with such a skewed perspective, but Lady Spencer was also a rich mother. Even if that wealth came from gossip. Mlle Davy would inherit the riches she deserved, to make a new life for herself.

“M. Baudin?” The lady sounded concerned now.

“The room hasn’t quite stopped spinning yet,” he said. And that was true. But it felt like part of what was spinning was his perspective on Lady Spencer. She’d said she’d only written the first article. Who, then, had written the rest? And why? As she’d said, the first might have blown over as a lark. But the gossip had been fueled, stoked, like a steadily burning fire. Based on her stories thus far, and she seemed quite inclined to be open about her machinations, it didn’t fit her pattern. She handled information like a piquet player. Withholding and sharing cards as it seemed to her advantage.

This wasn’t to say he forgave her, or approved of her other rumor-spreading. But now he didn’t think she’d been the one to destroy his life. Was it her friend, Miss Lucey? Or had someone else taken the opportunity to do him harm?

“M. Baudin?” Now her voice was breathy, just as when he kissed her.

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