“Delilah would never do such a thing.”
“She confessed it already.”
“And was this before or after you defiled her?”
“Your sister spread her legs for me, Miss Hart. She must live with the consequences of her actions—all of them.”
She paled at his words. For a moment, he thought she was going to strike him.
“Is that your definition of justice?” she asked. “No, there’s been a misunderstanding. Hot-headed my sister may be, but she’d never go out of her way to harm another.”
“Then why do I find myself in such a position?”
“Has your person been harmed, sir?” she asked. “From what you tell me, a few material possessions have been damaged. Possessions can be replaced. But a lady’s virtue, once lost, is lost forever. If your business is so finely balanced that a little property damage places it in jeopardy, then I’d suggest the fault lies with you.”
He snorted. “Clearly, her lack of integrity has been learned from observing her siblings. Is that how your brother made his fortune so quickly? By ruining others?”
He caught a blur of movement, then felt a sharp pain across his face. Momentarily blinded, he stepped back. Her eyes blazed with fury, and a jolt of recognition ran through him, the memory of the first day he’d encountered Delilah in Clayton House, all fire and passion.
“That’s hardly the behavior of a lady, Miss Hart,” he said, rubbing his cheek where she’d struck him.
“My behavior is not in question,” she retorted. “If Dexter were here, he would have you horsewhipped through the streets for what you’ve done. Consider yourself fortunate that I will merely warn you never to darken our door again.”
“I’ve no intention of having anything to do with your family again,” he said. “I pity your brother but can now see why he works so hard. It’s to avoid spending time in a home overrun by harridans.”
“Get out,” she said, giving him a push.
“With pleasure.”
As soon as his feet touched the steps outside, the door was slammed behind him.
His priority, now, was to limit the damage. But would it be so bad if he lost Clayton House to his creditors? Scotland was his home. His soul could wander among the slopes of Beinn Mo Chridhe.
Miss Hart might have betrayed him, but perhaps she’d done him a service. He ought to congratulate himself on a lucky escape from being shackled to that family forever.
As he returned to his carriage, he turned and took a last look at the Hart townhouse, his gaze drawn to a first-floor window.
Was she there?
His heart skipped at a movement. Then a face appeared, its features clear in the light of the setting sun.
Sir Thomas Tipton.
“Still sniffing round Miss Hart, I see,” Fraser said, though the man couldn’t hear him. “Well, you can have her and suffer the disappointment that another got there before you.”
Sir Thomas raised his hand as if in salute. Then he smiled.
Sir Thomas’s eyes glowed with a sinister look, sparkling with an emotion so strong, Fraser could almost taste it.
Triumph.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Almost as soon the main doors slammed shut downstairs, Lilah heard her sister’s voice outside her chamber door.
“Delilah, sweetheart?”
There was little point feigning sleep. Thea’s tenacity rivaled even Dexter’s.
“Come in,” she said.
Thea slipped into the room. Rather than speak, she took a seat, folded her hands in front of her, and regarded Lilah with a thoughtful expression.
Not long after, Sarah appeared with a tray bearing a decanter of Dexter’s brandy and two glasses. At a nod from Thea, she poured a little into each glass.
“Thank you, Sarah, you may leave us now.” She nodded toward Lilah’s glass.
“Drink, Delilah, dear.”
“For what purpose?”
Thea said nothing but took a sip from her glass, then set it aside.
Where Dexter had learned the art of drawing out the truth by asking intimidating questions, Dorothea had learned the subtler form of attack. She created a void of silence, which attracted words and explanations as surely as the dish in Lady Jersey’s hall attracted calling cards.
“Forgive me, Thea,” she said.
Dorothea picked up her glass again. “Would I be better prepared for your story, Delilah, if I were to drink this?”
Shame elicited the tears which had been stinging Lilah’s eyes, and she nodded.
“Did he—take advantage of you?”
Lilah shook her head. “H-he didn’t…” she stuttered and took a mouthful of brandy, choking at the taste. “I was not unwilling.”
Thea sipped her drink. “So he spoke the truth. In that respect, at least.”
“Are you angry with me, Thea?”
“Of course not,” came the reply. “It takes two to make love.”
Thea took another sip. “And the other matter,” she said. “Is that true also? What he accused you of doing?”
“You mean Jeremiah Smith?”
Thea let out a sigh. “So, it is true. I shouldn’t be surprised, given how closely your views were aligned with those expressed in his articles.” She shook her head. “But the leaflets, Delilah! That was a step too far. Not even your passion to right the wrongs of the world can justify such senseless destruction.”
“I had nothing to do with the leaflets,” Lilah said. “As for the articles—my views have long since diverged from the sentiments they expressed. I told him that.”
“But he didn’t believe you.”
“No, he accused me of dishonesty.”
“In part, he was right, wasn’t he?”
Lilah withered under her sister’s frown. “I deceived him, yes, but I swear I had nothing to do with the leaflets! The last thing I’d want is to hurt him.”
Thea nodded.
“I believe you,” she said. “Your only crime is that of naiveté. In truth, you’re the most honest person I know. You’ve never been afraid to speak the truth, even if it causes offense. Such honesty is rare.”
Thea’s words, meant for comfort, only served to increase her distress. Hadn’t he said the very same before he discovered her deception?
“Oh, dear God,” Lilah wailed. “What will Dexter say when he discovers what I’ve done? I’m ruined!”
Thea took her hand. “There’s no need to tell him.”
“What if Fraser…” Lilah said, and Thea lifted her eyebrows. “What if Molineux says anything?”
Warm, comforting arms enveloped her. “We’ll address that problem if and when it arises, Delilah, dear,” Thea said. “And if it does, I’ll deal with our brother.”
“Why are you being so kind?” Lilah asked.
“Because you’re already suffering,” Thea said. “I can see the shame in your eyes. No amount of punishment Dexter metes out can compare to that which your conscience is already inflicting on you.”
“I never meant to hurt him,” Lilah said, “and now he hates me!”
“I’m sure he doesn’t.”