Page 41 of A Well-Trained Lady

“Not engaged. Sort of intended for one another from a young age. Though I am not aware of all the particulars, I understand that it was your grandfather who sought to end the arrangement. Your mother’s fortune, when presented as an option, was hard to refuse in the financial straits he’d managed to get himself into. Your father merely obeyed and married her instead.”

I glanced up at him. “How do you know all of this?”

“My parents informed me of the complicated history when Ruth came to live with us.”

The more he revealed, the more questions arose. “But what does that have to do with my mother threatening to ruin Ruth?”

Augustus hesitated. “It seems that your father did not lose his fondness for my aunt after he married, nor did my aunt lose her fondness for him. They were always dear friends. Your mother, I believe, grew to despise both my aunt, and eventually Ruth, because of the attachment.”

My gaze shot to Augustus, but I could not bring myself to inquire as to his meaning.

There was discernment in his eyes. “I don’t know what their relationship was, but I like to think that they were both people of strong morals and maintained nothing more than a friendship.”

It felt a strange thing to consider, Papa and Mrs. Seton as dearest friends, but the moment I allowed for it, a faded memory surfaced—Ruth and I playing as children, while Mrs. Seton and Papa laughed together at our make-believe game. The sound echoed in my heart, bringing a smile to my lips. “Papa and I used to meet Ruth and her mother at the stream between our properties. On occasion, we would picnic there.” I furrowed my brow, attempting to recall when it had all ended. “But all the recent memories I have of Mrs. Seton were of a different person entirely. She grew reclusive and quiet.”

Augustus’s arm tensed beneath my hand, and his hand clenched into a fist. “Yes.”

I did not speak, allowing him to fill the silence when he was ready.

“My uncle was much esteemed, but it turned out his kindness and generosity were nothing but a facade.” Augustus shook his head. “And I was as foolish as anyone in thinking him honorable, of overlooking his concealed cruelty that slowly suffocated the life from my aunt.” He paused. “I should have recognized his malice; then I might have prevented her death.”

“But you were so young.” I tightened my grip on Augustus’s arm. “And surely you did not know they were to be murdered.”

His eyes locked with mine, and he came to a stop, forcing me to do likewise. “My aunt’s death was ruled a murder by the coroner’s court, but my uncle’s …” He paused, indecision evident in his features. “Bella, my uncle’s death was ruled felo de se … self-murder. It appears he took his own life after taking my aunt’s.”

My throat constricted as I tried to form words. “I was told that they were poisoned. That the perpetrator had not been apprehended.”

“I’m not certain we will ever know precisely what occurred. And though the evidence the coroner’s court presented was condemning for my uncle, it also cannot go unnoticed that the Crown benefits from such rulings.”

My legs swayed beneath me, and I blinked, attempting not to let the darkness at the edges of my vision engulf me. “I think I must sit.”

Augustus’s hand came to my waist in support, and I managed a few disoriented steps.

“Here,” he said, aiding me onto the stump of a tree.

I closed my eyes and took several long, slow breaths, before opening them to find Augustus kneeling at my side. “How could Ruth bear it? To lose her mother at the hand of her own father, then to have him … do such a thing. It must have destroyed her.” I covered my face, the tears I had been withholding for far too long flowing onto my cheeks. “And I was not even there to give her comfort.”

“That was not your fault.”

The warmth of Augustus’s hand moving across my back could not prevent the anger from boiling within me, and I shot to my feet. “No, it was not. My parents are to blame for that.” Surrendering to the anger pulsing through my veins, I lifted my skirts and made for the path toward Fairhaven.

It only took a moment for Augustus to draw up alongside me. “Bella, what is it you intend to do?”

I wasn’t certain of anything, except the need to confront my parents for the wrongs they had caused. “I will write to my parents and demand they tell me all.”

Augustus grabbed my arm, spinning me toward him. “Bella, you must not.” He held me tight and close.

“They lied to me, Augustus. They forced you both from my life, and I shall never forgive them. I had no one when you were gone.” The words caught in my throat. “No one.”

His expression softened, taking in every inch of my face. “But think of Ruth. If your parents were to discover what I have shared, it will be Ruth who pays the price.” He paused, and his head tilted to the side. “They would remove you from Fairhaven.”

A quivering breath fell from my lips, and I dropped my head in defeat. He was right. Unburying the awful truth now would only serve to ruin my present happiness and—if I handled it thoughtlessly—Ruth’s future prospects as well.

I could sense Augustus watching me, and he stepped closer. “Do not allow their deceit to ruin this chance you’ve been offered. You deserve it and so does Ruth.”

Though my body trembled, I lifted my gaze to his. “As do you.”

He reached for my hand and lifted it to his lips. His kiss upon my palm penetrated my glove and warmed my entire body. “As do I.”