To Libby’s surprise, Simon appeared crestfallen, and she leaned over and patted his hand. “You’ve always been my cousin, and you always will be. A few old letters can’t change that.”
“You’d better mean it,” he said. “If I didn’t have you and Fish, who would I have?”
“That might be the sweetest remark you’ve ever uttered in my presence.”
He grinned a cocky grin. “Don’t get used to it.”
Fish was still studying her, and she said, “What now, Libby? What is your plan?”
“I don’t have a plan. I’m merely determined to head to London.”
“Why? It seems to me you have several matters to address with Charles. You have to speak to him about this.”
“How can I? You’ve known me for ages, and you think I’m lying. He and I are practically strangers. If I couldn’t convince you, how could I convince him? It would be pointless to try.”
“I’d just like to read the letters you found,” Fish said. “We’ll go from there.”
“It was wrong for us to come here,” Libby said. “I’d been anxious to meet Lord Roland, and when Simon originally mentioned this party, I thought it was a good idea for us to attend.” She chuckled miserably. “I assumed I could assess the situation, then announce who I was, but I was mad to suppose I could.”
“What’s happened during your visit that would make you decide that?”
“He’s certain Henrietta is dead!” Libby was nearly wailing. “I explicitly inquired about her, and he’s positive she’s been dead for years. After that declaration, how can I claim that I am Henrietta? Wouldn’t that be cruel? Wouldn’t it be viewed as a trick or a swindle? I’d likely be hauled off to prison as a criminal or to Bedlam as a lunatic.”
They were all glaring, contemplating, then Libby asked Simon, “What should I do?”
“You should do whatever will bring us the most money in the end.”
Libby’s irritation spiraled. “Would you be serious?”
“I am being serious. If you’re Roland’s daughter, the news is worth a fortune to us. I say we shout it to the whole world and fill our purses with the blessings that will rain down.”
“And you, Fish?” she asked.
“I think Simon is the very last person whose advice you should seek on any topic—but especially this one. And I need to ponder the dilemma. You’ve just sprung it on us, and I have to consider the angles before I offer an opinion.”
“While we figure it out,” Libby said, “I have to swear both of you to secrecy.”
“I’ll definitely keep my mouth shut,” Fish told her. “I have no desire to wade into the middle of this bog unless I know the safest route to the other side.”
“What about you, Simon?” Libby asked. “You can’t tell anyone until I give you permission.”
“You can’t expect me to be quiet. Not with a story this big.”
“For a bit. Please?”
Libby stared him down so he began to squirm, then he said, “All right, all right. I won’t breath a word until you tell me I can.”
“Thank you, and we’ll go home in the morning, yes? We’ll leave, so I can reflect on what my path should be.”
They scowled at her as if she were insane, and Simon said, “No way am I leaving Roland tomorrow. Get over yourself, Libby.”
“I’m not leaving either,” Fish said. “I’ve been very clear about it.”
“We can’t stay here!” Libby insisted. “I won’t stay.”
“So go,” Fish said. “We’re not stopping you.”
Fish’s blithe response irked Libby to her limit. After what she’d just revealed, she’d yearned for them to be supportive, and their dismissive attitudes were infuriating. One of their rare fights might have erupted, but there was a knock on the door, and they froze.
“It’s Miss Carstairs,” Libby called. “May I help you?”
“It’s your maid, Miss Carstairs. Lord Roland asked me to fetch you down to the library. Will you come?”
Libby stood and went to the door. She unlocked it and peeked out. “I’m indisposed at the moment and not participating in social engagements.”
“He’d like it to be now, Miss Carstairs. He said to mention it’s important.”
Libby stared at the maid, then at Fish and Simon who were glowering at her like angry sentinels. Ultimately, she sighed.
“I’ll be right down.”
“He’s in the library. Would you like me to escort you?”
“There’s no need.”
The girl left, and a heavy silence descended. There was the worst sense of dread in the air, as if something bad was about to happen, that it would be awful and they’d never be the same afterward. But that was silly. Lord Roland would probably request she perform after supper. It would be a subject that mundane. Wouldn’t it?
“What could he want?” Simon said.
“I have no idea.”
Libby looked at Fish, seeking an answer, but Fish shrugged.
“Will you change your clothes?” Fish asked. “Shall I pick out a gown for you?”
“The one I’m wearing is fine.”
“Track me down when you’re finished,” Fish said. “Let me know what you discussed.”
Libby snorted at that. “Yes, I’ll inform you immediately. You two are at the top of my list of what’s worrying me.”
“You don’t have to be so snippy,” Simon said. “We only want what’s best for you.”
“Somehow,” Libby retorted, “that doesn’t reassure me in the slightest.”
She pulled the door wider, motioning for them to slither out. They bristled and fumed, but finally obeyed her. She watched as they vanished around a corner, then she spun and went into the dressing room to check herself in the mirror.
She dawdled forever, being in no hurry to rush downstairs. Lord Roland would simply have to cool his heels until she was composed enough to face him.
What was about to transpire? How hideous would it be?
In her interactions with him so far, he’d been polite and considerate, but then, she’d felt horrid since she’d awakened at Barrett. In the intervening hours, her condition hadn’t improved.
Would the blasted day ever end?
Peggy had been a
