approached Noelle.
'I am delighted to make your acquaintance, my dear. Simon is quite taken with you, and I can surely see why.'
Was this woman making fun of her? Noelle wondered. What was behind her honeyed words? She was out of her natural element among these people. On the streets, she knew her enemies. But here, an enemy could hide behind a polite smile. Well, she would play by their rules, she thought, as she returned Constance's smile with one of her own, but she would be on her guard.
'Noelle, I have asked Constance to join us so we may talk about your future.'
Noelle felt her face burn. 'You told her about me?' she burst out angrily.
Attempting to forestall the attack that he knew was coming, Simon pushed Noelle gently down on the settee, his eyes boring into hers. 'Listen to me, Noelle. What happened to you is not your shame; it is Quinn's. Constance has been a friend for years. There was no way I could keep this from her, nor did I want to because I think she can help you.'
Noelle lifted her small chin defiantly. 'I don't need help from no-anybody.'
'But you do, you know.' Simon spoke softly and regarded her so kindly that Noelle felt some of her anger at his betrayal dissolve. 'You have been through a great deal since last night. You need some time to rest. I could never forgive myself, my dear, if anything happened to you now while you're so upset. You also need some time to think about what you're going to do with your life. You don't have to go back to the streets again, you know.'
Simon could see that his words were having an effect on Noelle. Suppressing the urgency he felt rising within, he kept his voice smooth and even. 'Mrs. Peale has invited you to stay with her at her estate in Sussex. Since she is still in mourning for her husband, her life is quiet, and you'll be able to get the rest you must have.'
Noelle set her jaw stubbornly. 'You have no right making arrangements for me. I've taken care of myself this long without anyone's help. I don't need charity from either of you.'
'I would hardly call it charity, Noelle,' Simon protested.
'And just what would you call it?' she retorted. 'Or does Mrs. Peale make it a habit of inviting pickpockets to stay with her?'
'I really don't think-' Simon began, but Noelle interrupted him angrily.
'I can see her now, introducing me to one of her grand friends.' With uncanny accuracy Noelle imitated the voice of a society matron. 'Millicent, I'd like you to meet my house guest. Quite an interesting girl. Hooks watches, you know.'
This last was too much for Constance, who had been watching the sparring between Noelle and Simon with great interest. Her silvery laughter rang out.
'Oh, dear, Simon, she does have you there. I fear you've met your match.'
'Do be quiet, Connie,' Simon snapped. Damn the woman! If she wasn't going to be helpful, she could at least keep her mouth shut. He calculated his next move.
'It seems you still don't grasp your circumstances,' he said harshly.
'What do you mean by that?'
'You may be carrying Quinn's child, you know.'
Noelle felt as though she had been slapped. A tremor shot through her thin body.
Simon moved in quickly. 'I see you hadn't thought of that. Well, perhaps it's time you did.' His voice was wintry as he began his attack. 'Do you want your child raised as you were? Grubbing about in the mud for a lump of coal?' He drew his lips into a sneer. 'How old will the child be before you hang up a coat and train him to be a pickpocket?'
Noelle's face drained of all color, but Simon did not ease his assault. 'Of course, it won't be so bad if you have a boy. It's easier for boys to survive. But what if it's a girl? Perhaps she won't be as lucky as you've been. I understand there are noblemen who are convinced that deflowering a virgin will cure them of the French pox. They're willing to pay as much as a hundred pounds for one. Do you want that to happen to a child of yours?'
'Stop it!' Noelle screamed. 'Stop it!' She buried her head in her hands, trying to collect herself. She had thought her nightmare was over, but now she saw that fate was not going to release its hold on her so easily.
Constance sprang angrily from her chair. 'That's quite enough, Simon. You are being cruel, and I won't have it.'
A biting retort died on Simon's lips, and he turned away.
Noelle felt herself enveloped in fragrant black silk. Constance's voice was calm and soothing. 'You must understand, Noelle, that Simon is used to having his own way in all things. He is a businessman, and businessmen are afraid to speak from their hearts. Simon does not want to lose you now. Although he would never admit it, he admires fiery spirits. And, Noelle, he has a right to know if you are carrying his grandchild.'
For a moment Constance felt a stab of guilt. In her own way, she knew she was manipulating the child just as much as Simon had been.
Slowly Noelle raised her face to Constance, hating the benevolence she saw there, hating the circumstances that were inexorably bending her proud spirit to the protection of these two people. 'I don't seem to have much choice, do I?' she said bitterly.
They had won; she was going to have to do as they suggested until she discovered if she was going to have a child. But if they expected her to be fawning in her gratitude, they were due for a rude surprise.
'If I do as you say, I want your promise that you will tell no one that I am married to Mr. Copeland's son.'
Constance nodded her assent.
'Also, I will only stay until I know if I am going to have a child, then you will immediately return me to London.'
Constance forestalled the protest she could see Simon preparing to voice. 'Fair enough, my dear. Now, let's find something a bit more suitable for you to wear.' Turning to Simon, Constance said, 'I wish to leave within the hour. Will you see that I have fresh horses?'
Nodding his assent, Simon left the room quickly, well satisfied with the turn of events.
The two women regarded each other levelly for several moments. Finally Constance spoke with some satisfaction. 'I think we shall get along together very well, don't you?'
But Noelle did not respond. Somehow she knew it was not going to be quite that easy. Nothing in life came free of charge; sooner or later she would be expected to pay the price. What it would be she did not know, but of its inevitability she was certain.
PART TWO
Dorian Pope
Sussex
Chapter Six
London's streets were now behind them; the last afternoon sun shone on tidy fields and small cottages, fresh and clean after the smoke and dirt of the city. The two other occupants of the carriage had each settled into the trip in their own fashion. Letty, Constance's abigail, a homely young woman with a florid complexion, had fallen asleep, her mouth open slightly and her plump bosom rising and falling rhythmically. Constance was staring vacantly out of the window, absorbed in her own thoughts, tiny lines of tension evident at the corners of her soft mouth.
Noelle looked hideously unattractive and out of place as she sat in the Peale carriage with a small bundle resting on her lap. Before she had left the house on Northridge Square, she had been led to a small room off the kitchen, where she had scrubbed the last vestiges of crimson from her hollow cheeks and unsuccessfully attempted tidying her hair, only managing to tame the most unruly of the tufts. She ran her finger under the collar of the dress
