The door to the drawing room slid open. Merry glanced up from her book at the intrusion. Orion lifted his head, giving off a slight grunt of annoyance at being disturbed. She rather felt the same. After a busy day of cleaning and dog-wrangling yesterday, she had opted for a day of reading and studying.

A day indoors with no chance of running into Harry too. A day to mull things over.

Bella entered, looking grim. Sophia and Arabella followed, their expressions and manner of walk equally miserable. Merry set her book on the armchair and stood.

“What is it? What has happened?”

Bella’s throat worked, and she raised her chin. “We are calling a Spinster’s Club meeting,” she announced. “Sit down, Merry.”

Merry sank slowly back into her chair and frowned. Her friends arranged themselves on each of the chairs surrounding the small table in the center and Merry saw glances swing between them.

“What is going on?” Merry demanded. “Why do we need to call a meeting?” She turned to Arabella. “Arabella?”

Arabella shook her head slightly. If it was nothing to do with her, then what was it? Merry could not fathom.

“Tell me what is going on.” Merry pressed hands to her stomach. “You are making me nervous.”

Sophia sat upright. “Well, if you two shall not say it, I will...” She licked her lips. “We came here, as members of the Spinster’s Club, to warn you.”

Merry leaned forward. “Warn me?”

“There has been some gossip,” Arabella said softly.

“Gossip?” Merry intoned.

Bella nodded. “It’s not surprising, Merry. Even we have noticed all the attention he gives you.” She paused and focused on the dog. “Where did he come from?”

Merry gave Orion an affectionate rub on the head. “This is Orion. Harry brought him to me to to...to...” She couldn’t quite bring herself to say to protect her. After all, it would all sound ludicrous. “To keep me company.”

Bella and Sophia shared a look. Sophia motioned to the dog. “This is what we are talking about.”

Merry blinked. “A dog?”

“No.” Sophia shook her head. “About Harcourt.”

Damn her, why did her heart have to skip at the mere mention of his name? “What about him?”

“The gossip has been about Harcourt...and you,” replied Arabella quietly.

A cold wash of dread came over her. “What sort of gossip?”

Sophia laced her hands together. “I heard it from my lady’s maid. Your time together has not gone unnoticed, nor has all the attention he has been paying you.”

Bella nodded. “It is hard to ignore.”

“We are friends,” protested Merry. “We have often spent time together.”

Arabella leaned over and took Merry’s hand. “But you are alone, Merry, without the protection of your brother. And you must admit, he has been a lot more interested than usual. I know he likely feels he must take some sort of protective role as your brother’s friend, but if it is drawing the attention of servants...”

Merry pressed fingers to her forehead and rubbed them in circles. “Then people will assume our conduct is inappropriate.”

“You know I like Easton,” Bella spilled out. “He’s frightfully handsome and charming. But he is Harcourt Easton. He is known to be a rake. While your reputation is beyond rebuke, his is not. Any woman spending too much time with him, risks her reputation...and what concerns us more, is that she risks her heart.”

Merry huffed. “As if I would risk my heart.” The words felt false on her tongue. “He is a friend and I am well aware of his reputation.”

“We only say these things because we do not wish to see you sent off to Ireland or some other awful place because of a man.” Arabella squeezed her hand tight. “We love you too much.”

Merry smiled weakly. “I love you all too.”

“I was lucky no one knew of my attachment to Frederick. If anyone had realized, I’m certain my parents would have sent me away, and I certainly could not show my face in Society.” Arabella fidgeted, her cheeks a little red. “I spent too long waiting for him to return, and I regret every second I wasted on him, and I certainly regret ever giving my innocence to the bloody vile man.”

“Oh, bravo.” Bella clapped her hands together. “That is the first time I have ever heard you call him what he is.”

“Well, I think this has all made me realize what a waste of time he was.” Arabella turned to face Merry. “Harcourt seems a good man, but so did Frederick. I would so hate for you to go through the same thing.”

Merry patted Arabella’s hand. “I have no intention of letting myself fall for him or his charms.”

“Sometimes we cannot help it, but this is what the Spinster’s Club is here for, is it not?” Sophia said. “So we can protect each other?”

Merry drew in a breath and nodded. “Yes, absolutely.”

Her friends were right. Her time spent with Harry was inappropriate and so long as she was unsure whether his intentions were real, she could not give in. She would do her best to ignore him and avoid him until Daniel returned and she had no doubt once her brother was back, Harry’s attentions would cease, and he would find someone else to amuse him. He’d most likely be back to seeing her as Daniel’s little sister and nothing more. The problem would be solved, and she could return to her studies in peace and quiet.

Perfect.

Was it not?