Page 26 of Love, Lies, and the Lyon (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Eliza’s eyes narrowed. “I would, but he never rises before noon.” She gave Anastasia a sidelong glance. “I had another reason for coming.”

“And what is that?” Anastasia did not ring for tea.

“I heard some news that I wish to hear confirmed. I have heard a rumor that you are not a maid. Is that true?”

Anastasia’s mouth dropped open. “You… what?”

Eliza’s face lit up in a smile, a nasty one. “I heard it from a man who claims an acquaintance with you. Of a most intimate nature, he said.”

Anastasia’s blood ran cold. “Mrs. Sherwood—”

“You know who I am talking about, of course, don’t you? Unless you have had many lovers? I happened to make the better acquaintance of Mr. Jemisin last night, after you not so kindly had him thrown out of the Lyon’s Den. And he told me that some seven years ago, he happened to know you.”

Anastasia’s small hands curled into fists.

“At first, I could not believe it. A spinster like you? Not a maid? I had to see it confirmed for myself.” Eliza looked Anastasia up and down, assessing her. “You must not have been so spinster-like as you are now, of course, but I can vaguely see some small beauty there.”

“How kind. Please leave.” Anastasia’s voice shook.

“Oh, no. Not until I’ve said my piece.”

“I think you’ve spoken enough for both of us,” Anastasia said. The woman was insufferable.

“Ha. Very funny. Fine, I’ll go. But I warn you, leave Mr. Hardwicke be. I mean it. He’s to marry me. He can’t get distracted now, when he needs the credibility I bring.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you know? My father is next in line to be a baronet. And I am a wealthy widow. Mr. Hardwicke will be marrying into a wealthy family, and a titled one. What can you offer him?”

Anastasia watched her carefully. Something about Mrs. Sherwood’s words she did not trust.

Betsey sailed into the room, her eyes blazing. “Mrs. Sherwood, how funny, I didn’t think you’d dare to show your face in public, but here you are.”

“Miss Betsey,” Mrs. Sherwood acknowledged with a nod. She stiffened. “What are you talking about?”

“Why, the rumors circling about you. Lies, some are saying. If I were you, I would have stayed home. You really are brave, you know, coming here. I don’t know how I would show my face if I had such gossip going on about me.”

Mrs. Sherwood’s face turned a shade whiter, and she swayed ever so slightly. Her voice grew quiet. “What are you talking about? What gossip? What are people saying?”

“I couldn’t dare tell. It’s far too wicked,” Betsey said with a smile. “You’d best run home immediately. I’d be afraid it would make the London papers soon. Something about you and… Well. Never mind. I’m sure if you’re visiting people’s homes, then you have nothing to worry about.”

Mrs. Sherwood swallowed and glared at them both. “Excuse me. Miss Banks, perhaps you would see me out.”

Anastasia nodded and followed her out. Once outside the front door, Mrs. Sherwood turned, her hands trembling. “I don’t know what your sister has heard, but any gossip about me is pure nonsense. If anyone here should be worried, it’s you.”

Anastasia shook her head. “I don’t know who you think you are, but your little threats are dull and tiresome. Get out.”

“Fine. But I’ll leave you with this. Cut off all connection with Mr. Hardwicke, or else.”

“Or else what?” Anastasia couldn’t resist asking.

“Or I’ll let everyone know just how well you and Mr. Jemisin know each other.

I’ll spread it all over Town. The gossips love a scandal.

” Mrs. Sherwood grinned and her blue eyes sparkled at the idea of Anastasia’s social ruin.

“See how popular you are then. Your sister’s chances of making a good match will be ruined; no one will want her.

” She snorted softly and leaned in. “Your family name will be dirt. Your aunt and uncle won’t be able to go out, and they certainly won’t be invited to any parties.

They’ll have no place in polite society.

They’ll be outcasts, thanks to you. Understand? ”

Anastasia opened her mouth to retort, but no words came. She felt at a loss.

“Ha. That’s refreshing. For once, Miss Banks doesn’t have a quick response. Very well, I’m leaving. Good day, Miss Banks. I hope we never see each other again.” And with that, Mrs. Sherwood stepped down the stone steps and walked away, leaving Anastasia with the blood cold in her veins.

Anastasia shut the door and walked back into the parlor, only to find Betsey in the dining room instead, filling a plate with a slice of ham, cheese, and toast.

At her arrival, Betsey set down her plate and began to eat. She looked up at Anastasia. “Is she gone?”

“Yes.” Anastasia faced her from across the table and gripped the back of a chair. “How much did you hear?”

“Not much. I only heard her voice and seeing as how horrid she’s been to you all this time, it didn’t take long to assume why she came.”

“Oh?”

“You and Mr. Hardwicke, of course. She’s been that jealous of you both since he laid eyes on you. Anyone could see it. She came to warn you away, didn’t she?” Betsey said, munching her toast.

“Yes. Something like that.”

“Well, never mind. Once he proposes to you, she’ll eat her words.”

“He won’t. They are engaged.”

Betsey dropped her toast. “What?”

Anastasia nodded. “It’s true. The announcement should be in the papers any day now. I learned just the other night, at the Fashionable Institution.”

Betsey let out a curse word.

“Betsey,” Anastasia admonished.

“Sorry. But that’s… It’s just so wrong. He cares for you. He loves you.”

“He doesn’t.”

“He does, and you’re too much of a fool to see it,” Betsey said, rising. “I can’t believe you’d let her affect you like this. She’s just jealous. She’ll say anything to put you off him. Why can’t you see it?”

Because with each passing day, I grow older and look a little less beautiful , Anastasia thought.

She’d given up all hopes of meeting a man and falling in love.

That, she’d reserved for her little sister.

But now… “I don’t know. I never thought I’d meet a man like Mr. Hardwicke. I thought he didn’t like me.”

“The way he looks at you, I think it’s very much the opposite,” Betsey said.

“What gossip did you hear about Mrs. Sherwood? She left here in a hurry.”

“Ha, a little old joke. If I wanted to play a trick on some of the other girls in the neighborhood, then I’d say I’d heard a rumor about them, and then they would circulate it to each other, so then it really would become true.”

“That’s cruel, Betsey.”

Her sister sniffed and sat back down and resumed eating. “I only did it to the mean ones. Not the nicer girls.”

Anastasia snorted. “Thank you.”

A beat passed. Betsey looked up at her, her mouth full of toast, and she swallowed and said, “It’s all right.” She passed Anastasia a slice of toast.

And just like that, they were close again. Sisters, not enemies. For the first time in a while, Anastasia smiled.