Page 82 of The Viscount Who Vexed Me

“Daniel!” Hattie cried. “Please, not another word. Go! Leave us be, please!”

Daniel laughed. He smiled and winked at Flora, then tipped his hat again. “Good day, ladies.” And with his hands clasped behind his back, he strolled on.

Flora watched him go, her expression growing darker. “I’m so sorry, Hattie.”

“What? Why? I should apologize to you.”

“Yes, you should. But that doesn’t make me any less sorry that he is your brother. He has theworstof reputations, you know.”

Hattie frowned. “It’s not the best, I know...but the worst?”

Flora turned to her and put a hand on her arm. “I mean, dearest, the Woodchurch name in general.”

Hattie recoiled with a surprise that felt terrible.

“I’m so sorry, but it’s true. Your family... Everyone knows your brother is a rake, your father notoriously cheap, and you, working for a bachelor.”

Hattie was so stunned she couldn’t speak. That was all true, but it was still her family Flora was casually disparaging. She didn’t know if she ought to defend them or even if she could.

“I mean, no one thinks ill ofyou, of course. Everyone knows you’ve been pushed into work.”

“You...you don’t need to say more,” Hattie said shakily. “I’m aware of—”

“Mr. Masterson didn’t cry off because of you, remember that. It was because of your brother and the rest of them.”

Hattie felt strangely floaty, as if she was leaving her body. And she didn’t know what to do with her hands. Because they desperately wanted to go around Flora’s neck.

“I’m so sorry. I’m being insensitive,” Flora said with a wince.

“Yes, you are,” Hattie agreed. Andcruel.

“I do beg your pardon, but seeing your brother reminds me that you’reso muchbetter than the rest of them.” She linked her arm through Hattie’s and began to walk. “I wish we could have you all to ourselves.” And she continued to stroll along as if she’d said nothing wrong.

Hattie couldn’t shake the confusion over why Flora would speak to her like that. Or the feeling of disloyalty for not standing up for her family—even when she had no desire to because they were awful. She felt caught in a vise, not knowing which way to turn.

But there was something else leaving her feeling terribly uncomfortable. This was not the first time Flora had mentioned her family, and Daniel in particular.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

MRS. O’MALLEYWASpractically levitating with excitement—she’d been commissioned to make bonbons andtwofour-tiered marzipan cakes for the Abbott ball.

“That’s wonderful!” Hattie exclaimed.

“You must tell me everyone’s opinion. Even if the opinions aren’t flattering, you must tell me.”

Hattie put her things on the little desk. “I would, but I won’t be attending.”

“What?Why?” Mrs. O’Malley cried. “But you must! Weren’t you invited?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then you must go! You can’t decline an invitation like that.”

Hattie winced. “I’ve nothing to wear, Mrs. O’Malley. You’ve seen my gowns.”

Mrs. O’Malley blinked. “Isthatall?”

Hattie laughed. “It seems an insurmountable obstacle to me.”