Waiting in her chambers was a special sort of torture. Papa had apparently gone to his club. Prissa had gone to Bond Street with a friend, but she had yet to return. And Elliott…well, Bella had no idea where her brother was or when she would see him next.

She paced the length of her chambers, anger, fear and nausea warring within her. She was furious with Elliott for putting her in this situation, terrified of what it could mean for all of them, and beyond sick at just the suggestion that she might lose Greg. Would Papa really break her betrothal now? Would he be too afraid of Grandfather to help her when she needed him most? If only—

A scratch came at her door, halting her mid-pace.

“Yes?” she called.

Mary poked her head in the door and said, “Lady Priscilla has just arrived home.”

Thank heavens. Not that Prissa could solve any of these problems, but at least Bella wouldn’t be alone while she waited for Papa. And perhaps Prissa’s clearer mind might discover some solution that had evaded Bella thus far. "Thank you, Mary. Did you tell her I was looking for her?”

Her maid shook her head. “She was with Hellsburg and I thought you’d rather I not…”

Speaking of clearer heads. What would Bella do without Mary?

“I did hear her say she was headed to her chambers to change for dinner.”

Perfect. Bella could intercept her sister there. “Thank you so very much. When Papa returns home…”

“I will find you as soon as I see him.”

Bella started for the door, gave her maid’s arm an appreciative squeeze, and quickly made her way to her sister’s chambers. She reached Prissa’s quarters before her sister did, and sat tentatively on the edge of a chintz chair while she waited most anxiously.

She did not have to wait long, however. Prissa flew through the door with an air of irritation that was unusual for her saintly sister. “That horrid man,” she grumbled under her breath. But then she noticed Bella and her eyes widened in surprise. She quickly shut the door behind her and then turned around once more. “Are you hiding in here?”

“Waiting for you,” Bella said, pushing out of the chair as she truly was too nervous to sit for too long. “It’s been an awful day, Prissa.” Or it had become one, rather. The first part of the day…well, that had been the best day of her life, but now… “Grandfather discovered Grandmama’s earbobs under my mattress and accused me being a thief.”

Prissa’s hand fluttered to her heart. “Why was he searching under your mattress?”

Bella’s mouth dropped open. “Goodness. I never even thought to ask that.” She’d just been too surprised to think straight when everything unfolded in Grandfather’s study. She shook her head. “And now it doesn’t even matter. He found the earbobs and thinks I’ve been stealing, and—”

“Did you tell him it was Elliott?”

“I wanted to talk to Papa first. Telling Grandfather…” Bella shook her head. “I don’t know what he might do to Elliott.” And though her brother might deserve whatever His Grace would do, Bella couldn’t live with herself if she was the cause of more anguish.

Prissa nodded in agreement, and she probably was the only other person in the world who could understand. Then she reached her hand out to Bella. “I am so sorry. I should have said something to Papa when Elliott started asking for my pin money. I just—”

“It’s not your fault.” Bella sighed. “But if—”

A knock at the door halting her words. Goodness, her heart lodged in throat.

“Priscilla?” Papa’s voice came through the door. “Have you seen your sister?”

Prissa released her hold on Bella and rushed to her door. She opened it and said, “Papa, we’re both in here. Come in, please.”

Papa looked ashen as he looked from Prissa to Bella. Drat! He’d already seen Grandfather. She could tell by his pinched expression. He must have slipped past Mary somehow.

“I didn’t steal anything, Papa,” she said.

He stepped into Prissa’s chamber and closed the door behind him. “Then how did those earbobs end up under your mattress?”

Bella swallowed. “I put them there.”

“Then you did,” he began, sounding dejected.

“To keep Elliott from trying to sell them again,” Bella said hastily. “He is in trouble, Papa. Trouble neither Prissa nor I can help him out of.”

“Your brother tried to sell—”

“He didn’t try,” Bella interrupted him. “He was successful.” Then she shook her head and the rest of the tale spilled out of her. “Lord Avery and I happened upon him at Garrard, and he was selling the pair. After he left, Greg purchased the earbobs from the jeweler, and I hid them to keep Elliott from finding them again.”

“He didn’t steal my sapphire hair comb,” Prissa added. Then she swallowed a bit anxiously. “I gave it to him. And Mama’s pearls.”

Papa lost what little color he had left in his face. “Some of the silver is missing and an emerald necklace.”

Prissa gasped.

“Father thought you must have taken them to fund your painting expenditures.”

“Goodness,” Bella breathed out, the accusation stinging her once more. “I could fund my painting supplies for a lifetime with even one of those pieces, let alone all of them.”

“I know I haven’t been supportive of you in that particular pursuit.” Papa wasn’t able to meet her eyes any longer. “But you know if there’s anything you ever need…”

Bella shook her head. “It’s of no consequence now. Soon enough I’ll be Lord Avery’s to worry about.”

“You’re my daughter. I’ll always worry about you.”

“So much is missing,” Prissa said softly. “It’s no wonder Grandpapa noticed.”

Her sister was right about that, and Bella couldn’t help but wonder if there was even more that had been taken that had yet to be discovered. Elliott had been beyond reckless in quite a number of ways. “I am worried about him. About Elliott,” she clarified. “I barely recognize him anymore, Papa. I tried to talk to him today and he was so angry.”

“If he doesn’t really have a sick child to care for,” Prissa began, “what sort of trouble could he be in that he would need to take so many things?”

“A sick child,” Papa echoed, his brow lifted in surprise.

“There’s not one really,” Prissa quickly explained. “It was just a lie he told me so I’d hand over whatever he asked for. Bella tricked him into admitting as much.”

“Good God,” Papa muttered under his breath and he seemed to deflate standing right there. “Is there anything else he’s done?”

“He asked for my pin money,” Prissa said softly. “And Bella’s too.”

“He asked Lord Avery to lend him money the first time he met him.”

Papa looked like he might be ill. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Bella shook her head. “We’ve always protected each other.” They’d always had to, especially growing up under Grandfather’s roof. “But this, whatever he’s mixed up in, it’s too big for us, Papa.” Her heart ached for her brother whom she’d always loved. They’d been confidants as children, comforted each other over the years, and depended upon each other when they couldn’t depend upon anyone else. “I cannot remember the last time I saw him sober. Each time I’ve tried to reason with him, I’ve had no luck at all.”

“We’ve always told each other the truth until now,” Prissa added. “But now that he’s lying to us….”

“We have no idea the extent of the trouble he’s really in,” Bella finished.

Papa took a steadying breath. “I’ll talk to him when he returns.” He shook his head as though his heart was breaking too. Then he glanced directly at Bella and said, “Your grandfather is adamant that I withdraw my blessing for you to marry Lord Avery—”

“Papa, please,” Bella begged, stepping closer to him and reaching her hand out to her father. “My future with Greg means everything to me.”

He nodded as though he understood, and perhaps he did. There had never been any escape for him from Chatham House. “You should marry quickly, then. So it cannot be undone.”

Goodness. It was almost as though Papa was saying he could only withstand Grandfather’s demands for a short time. Almost as though he knew his efforts would be futile in the end. Anxiety twisted her heart.

Bella squeezed her father’s hand tightly. “Please don’t give into him, Papa. Please. My life would be miserable with Johann. I wouldn’t want to live it if that was my future.”

His brow furrowed at her words. “Did you really know about that?” he asked. “About Johann? Were you eavesdropping?”

Bella nodded slowly. It had been the worst conversation she’d ever heard. The memory of that pain stung her heart anew, and a lump lodged in her throat. She swiped at a fresh round of tears as she said, “He’s never quiet and you were in there for so long that day. And then…” More tears began to trail down her cheeks. “All the awful things he said about me and…”

Papa pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “Oh, my sweet Bella. I’m so sorry you heard any of that.”

“He hates me because I’m so much like Mama.” She cried harder, holding onto her father, hoping with every once of her soul that she could count on his support. “I hoped you were going to come up with some plan to save me, but then you seemed resigned to my fate and…”

“And then you found Avery and saved yourself.” he said, sounding slightly hollow, as though he should have done more, should have found a way to save her on his own.

But Greg had saved her. She’d been in awe of him since that very first day, his strength, his honor, his green eyes that could turn her insides to mush. “I love him, Papa. I do. Please don’t take back your blessing. I’ll do anything you ask, just please, please…”

“Shh,” he soothed, rubbing her back gently. “My sweet Bella. I won’t let you down, not this time.”