Coupled Betrayal

Chapter 6

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July 31, 1879

Gossip columnist ill with a fever.

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Sophia's words reverberated in my mind as soon as I woke up.

The fact that my father was involved in whatever was going on with her grandfather intrigued me, so I willed myself to find out more. After dressing in a simple muslin dress, I headed to my father's study with a vague plan for one simple detail; whether my father was doing something questionable with the Duke of Westminster.

I knocked on his door thrice and he called out, "Come in."

He looked up at me and said, "Angelica. To what do I owe your visit?"

"As you know, I am getting well acquainted with the Duke of Westminster's son, and I was hoping you could bring me along if you ever visit his father's manor," I explained.

Before he could answer, I continued, "Sophia, his niece, did say you visited his father's manor quite often."

He looked down at his papers and said, "Of course."

I decided to dig deeper, "I didn't know you were such good friends, why didn't you introduce us earlier?"

There was a pause before his answer, "Angelica, I'm not sure what you're trying to do but I have a lot of work, I'll see you at dinner."

"I'm sorry to have bothered you, see you then." I curtsied and left.

His answer, or the lack thereof, confirmed Sophia's theory. Nine years ago when I began to question his affair with Lady Irvington he did the same thing as today. He dismissed me and ignored my question.

It could be that I was jumping to conclusions too quickly, but I didn't want to write Charlie a letter containing my dilemma. I settled with writing a letter to Stephan about Claude Fergusson's history as I had forgotten to do so the previous day.

Once finished, I took the sealed letter to Charles to send out. Then, I headed to my mother's room: I needed someone to bother with my thoughts.

"It took you long enough, Angelica. I'm feeling quite under the weather, but you never told me how your picnic went!" My mother exclaimed melodramatically with a stuffy voice.

"Fine."

"Does he seem like a marriageable prospect?"

"Mama," I drawled, "he's a fine character, but I don't wish to marry him."

"But if he were to propose-"

"Mama!"

"You might change your mind later on."

"Maybe... I give up looking for a husband," I sighed dramatically.

"Pish posh, you still have time and... third time's a charm. I'm sure you'll be lucky with the next man you cross paths with. But! The Marquis is still an excellent suitor."

She looked pensive and asked, "Do you think I should get a pup? A Yorkshire sounds quite nice."

I put my hand to her forehead, completely disregarding her question. She was burning up, and I called for a maid. The maid brought wet rags and told me to tell Emily to bring Dr. Laurens.

I found Emily in the kitchen, and I explained that we needed to find Dr. Laurens. I grabbed my reticule before we left to town, and in less than half an hour, we found the doctor having lunch. He quickly understood, and thankfully, he had his medical bag with him.