What might have been

I would be happier without you.

Marina ought to have known better than to place her trust in Penelope. She should have realized that Penelope, with her childish infatuation for Colin, would inevitably ruin matters for her. She had deemed Penelope to be harmless and, indeed, had not considered her capable of any significant mischief. The notion that Penelope might betray her to Colin had not crossed her mind. She ought to have anticipated that jealousy would drive her to madness. As she poured the tea, concocted from dried juniper berries and dandelion—a remedy she had instructed the maid to procure under the pretense of inducing her overdue menses—Marina felt assured. Once Colin discovered that there was no child, Penelope would scarcely be able to stir up further trouble. Marina felt confident in her ability to keep Colin distant from Penelope.

"She would not have been my wife were it not for your machinations... you might have been laughing together at foolish Colin... all those times you were chaperoning, you might have truly been enjoying yourself." Penelope did not recognize the man standing before her. He was not the gentleman she had loved since she was sixteen. There was nothing endearing in his rigid posture, nor in the bitterness he directed towards her.

"She would have been your wife regardless. Even if I had informed you, you would have seized the opportunity to play the hero and marry her. Anything to avoid being the third son with no purpose, is it not? "Colin glared at her, grinding his teeth."You are but a boy masquerading as a man, Colin Bridgerton. She was your sole opportunity to be regarded seriously, yet you ended up appearing foolish, did you not? That was precisely what Marina sought: someone affluent and witless....You wanted me to stop you? ....The only way you'd have stopped was if I'd announced her pregnancy to everyone. Then, you'd have played the victim, not letting her damage your reputation. I know you well enough, Colin."

Colin stood, speechless, waves of anger radiating from him. "Now we understand where we stand with each other... I wish to never see or speak to you again."

"The sentiment is mutual." Penelope responded with an equal measure of animosity.

"Miss Thompson fainted , Hyacinth discovered her." a panicked Violet informed Anthony.

"Hyacinth? What was she doing there with her?" Anthony asked worriedly

"She might have sensed the tension in the house and decided to investigate on her own... perhaps we should send the children elsewhere for the time being."

"But they are not the issue, are they? They shouldn't be penalized for the trouble Colin and his wife are causing." Anthony remarked bitterly.

"Colin is innocent in all of this. That woman ensnared him... simply because he possesses a pure heart and sees only good in people .... my poor child." Violet uttered, her countenance displaying a broken heart.

"He chose this, mother... we all attempted to dissuade him... he has made his bed."

"That is not fair, Anthony... he is young, dreaming about love and married life... there is nothing wrong with innocence... he doesn't deserve any of this... he has never harmed anyone... he goes out of his way to help people... we should help him... save him from that woman," Violet said, tears welling in her eyes, her throat constricting.

"I think it would be better if they both left for Aubrey Hall immediately," said Anthony, as if he had already made the decision.

Daphne burst open the door and entered the room hurriedly.

"Ever heard of knocking, sister?" Anthony asked, annoyed.

"I couldn't find anything on George Crane; there is no response from his General... but I have found out that he has a younger brother, Philip Crane... I have written to him... and..."Daphne hesitated "Marina deceived the maid into acquiring dandelions and juniper berries... there is no sign of blood... but she attempted to abort the baby," Daphne said breathlessly.

"What?!" Colin's voice came from outside the door, filled with shock.