Chapter Twenty-Six
Chloe arrived home from the orphanage to find Eliza and Amelia in the breakfast room. Their husbands weren’t present, and the two sisters were enjoying cups of tea in the lovely, sun-drenched room.
“Come join us, Chloe,” Eliza called out.
Chloe’s nerves were frayed after everything that had occurred, but she knew her sisters would be concerned if she refused to join them. She chose a chair, and a footman set forth a cup of steaming tea before her then quietly left the room.
“How’s Emily?” Amelia asked.
“For the first time, there is hope. The duke sent his own physician to treat her.” Chloe did not have the opportunity to thank Michael for sending Dr. Graves to see Emily. Would she ever get the chance?
No. It was best if she didn’t see him again. She’d never forget the determined look on Michael’s face when he’d rejected her in Huntingdon’s library.
Chloe cleared her throat and looked at her sisters. “There is something else I must tell both of you. A secret I’ve kept to myself for far too long.” She’d always believed she could keep her darkest sins from her sisters. But things were different now, and she’d withheld her past for too long. She was tired of the secrets, tired of carrying the burden.
Amelia lowered her cup. “Your secret has to do with the Duke of Cameron, doesn’t it? We know you have strong feelings for him.”
Chloe bit her lip. “It no longer matters.”
“Of course it does, darling,” Eliza said, reaching out to touch her hand.
Chloe felt like an ungrateful wretch. Her sisters were always her champions. “That’s not what I want to discuss. The duke, I mean. My secret goes back years to when I was sick and a burden on both of you, financially and emotionally.”
Both Amelia and Eliza looked confused and stricken. “You were never a burden,” Amelia said.
“It’s true. Never say such a thing,” Eliza admonished.
“I felt like I was,” Chloe said, casting her eyes downward. “I was always sick with that lingering cough and never able to work as hard as both of you in the print shop.”
“You are the youngest. It was my responsibility to care for you,” Eliza said firmly.
Chloe didn’t want to argue, she just needed to tell them the truth. “I did something horrible. You will both look at me differently when I confess.”
“It’s clear something has been a burden on your shoulders. Tell us,” Amelia urged.
Chloe took a deep breath. “I picked pockets. I stole from the wealthy shoppers on Bond Street.”
“Why on earth would you do that?”
“I wanted to help pay for the cost of my cough tonic with Mr. Allenson at the apothecary. I know it was very costly and I…I needed to help any way I could.” Chloe’s voice sounded weak to her own ears.
“So you stole?” Eliza said. “I always wondered why the price of the tonic decreased over time. When I inquired, Mr. Allenson said the cost of the special herbs to make the medicine fluctuated. I thought he was being kind to our situation.”
“He wasn’t,” Chloe said.
“But there’s more, isn’t there?” Eliza asked. “Mr. Allenson wouldn’t accept anything but coins. Did you only steal purses from rich gentlemen?”
Always the shrewd businesswoman, Eliza caught on faster than Amelia when it came to the finances.
Chloe swallowed. The rest of the story was worse. “You’re right. Mr. Allenson only wanted money. I traded the stolen goods for coins from Madame Satine at the Seven Sins brothel.”
A horrible silence descended.
A heartbeat passed, then Amelia threw back her head and laughed. “And I thought I was the only one who felt sinful for following in father’s footsteps and painting forgeries of priceless artwork.”
Eliza looked more taken aback, but then she took a deep breath. “And I thought I was the most deceitful when I repeatedly lied, assuming the false identity of a widow to open the print shop.”
Chloe looked at her sisters in astonishment. “You don’t blame me?”
“How can we when we’ve all committed scandalous misdeeds? I do believe we should call ourselves the Infamous Somertons,” Amelia said.
“The only thing we can blame you for is your foolish belief that you were ever a burden to us,” Eliza said.
A huge sense of relief overwhelmed her at their understanding and compassion. Her sisters’ love and acceptance wrapped around her like a warm blanket. The words came easier now. “You were right about the duke. I’ve fallen in love with him.”
“That’s wonderful, darling! Has he secretly proposed marriage?” Eliza asked.
“He did.”
Eliza beamed. “Then he must speak with Vale and Huntingdon.”
Chloe shook her head. “No. He has changed his mind. I told you about his war sickness. There was a confrontation with Henry the night of your dinner party. I jumped between them and there was an accident. I was pushed aside, but it was not the duke’s fault. Henry flailed out and I suffered a minor injury.” Chloe removed her bonnet and pushed her hair aside to reveal the wound.
Amelia placed a hand over her heart. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. It’s a small wound,” Chloe said.
Eliza’s eyes narrowed. “Has Lord Sefton harmed you in any way before?”
Chloe’s cheeks grew warm. “No, of course not. It was an accident.”
“Thank goodness.”
“You love the Duke of Cameron,” Amelia said simply.
Chloe’s face crumpled. There was no sense denying it. “It doesn’t matter. He feels responsible for what occurred and deems himself unfit for a wife and children.”
“Don’t be so sure. He loves you,” Amelia said.
Chloe merely shook her head. “He’s never said a word.”
“Darling, a dominant male like the Duke of Cameron won’t come out and proclaim his love. He is a former military officer, a man trained to act on the battlefield. Let his actions speak for his heart.”
Could it be true? Did Michael love her? He’d never spoken the words. She knew he admired her, desired her, and had wanted to marry her. He was also grateful for her aid. But did he truly love her?
Doubts crept in.
“You deserve happiness, darling,” Amelia said.
Chloe twisted her fingers in her lap. “I need time alone to think. Perhaps I should return to the country. The fresh air will do me good.” It was hard to believe that she’d only been in London for less than a month. So much had happened.
“Hmm,” Eliza said. “It may not be a bad idea to return to Huntingdon’s Hampshire estate for a brief respite.”
A heaviness settled in Chloe’s chest. “Yes, that would be best. Maybe I could travel. Didn’t you receive a letter saying that Huntingdon’s elderly aunt in Scotland is in need of a companion?”
“No need to flee the country,” Amelia said.
“She’s right,” Eliza said. “Just a short visit to Hampshire is all we’re agreeing to for now.”
Chloe held her tongue. She doubted a short visit would be sufficient to heal her broken heart. She pushed back her chair. “I’ll summon Alice and start packing.”