Page 63 of To Break the Rules

“Never a good idea to aggravate a man with a blade in his hand, my lord,” his indignant valet muttered, while Silas chuckled with delight.

He sat still and docile after that, though. The man had a knife, after all. “What’s our new mistress like, then?” Fred asked, and the question caused a spike of anxiety to prick at Silas’ heart. He well understood Lucia… no, Aashini’s concerns. Her illegitimacy would be hurdle enough to overcome when marrying a peer, but how would his household receive the news she was of mixed race? He wasn’t fool enough to believe there wouldn’t be those who would cut them, that there wouldn’t be gossip and prejudice against them. Whilst he’d long since grown a thick skin, that Aashini might be hurt was a pain he found unbearable.

“That bad, eh?” Fred quipped, grinning as the silence stretched on. His valet must have seen the concern in his eyes though as he paused, frowning. “What is it?”

“You’ve heard rumours, no doubt?” Silas asked, hardly daring to ask.

Fred snorted, glowering a little. “What do you take me for? Some sneaksby who lives for the next scandal? I ain’t got no time for tittle tattle. You’ll tell me what’s what if I need to know, that’s good enough for me.”

Though he was touched by his sincerity, with Aashini’s safety in the balance, Silas needed to be sure. “Swear you’ll hold your tongue until I say otherwise?”

With a curse, Fred paused in his work. “Bleedin’ hell, we’re back to that, are we? I told you. Your secrets are my secrets. I’ll take them to my grave.”

Silas relaxed, knowing it was true. He ought not to doubt Fred, of all people. “She’s illegitimate.”

Fred rolled his eyes. “Along with half the ton, if the truth were told. That it?” he asked, watching Silas intently. “No, didn’t reckon it was.”

“Her father was the late Earl of Ulceby; her mother one of his Indian servants.”

“Ah,” Fred said, that one word soft and full of understanding. “Well, ain’t no one going to hear a word from me.”

“No.” Silas shook his head. “Everyone will know soon enough, Fred. There will be the devil of a scandal when it comes out. You see, she’s due to inherit a fortune on her birthday, but to get it, the truth will have to come out.” He stared at his valet, wondering what he was thinking. The pride of the Cavendish family was something Fred seemed to care about more than Silas ever had. “How many of my staff will jump ship?”

Fred scowled. “None, if they know what’s good for ’em,” he muttered and then let out a breath as Silas continued to stare at him. “I don’t know. Not the ones who came with you, but some of your father’s staff….” He shrugged. “You’re a fair master and you pay well. They’d be touched in the head to think they’d be better off elsewhere.”

“Well, I suppose we shall just have to wait and see.”

Silas looked up, surprised as Fred laid a fatherly hand on his shoulder. “Don’t you go letting no naysayers spoil your happiness, my lord. You’ve earned the right to it, and I for one am right glad for you. I’ll raise a toast to you and the new Lady Cavendish with Mrs Winston later, and we’ll be proud to welcome her into the household.”

To his chagrin, Silas felt his throat tighten at that. It took a moment for him answer. “Thank you, Fred. That means a lot to me.”

***

“Oh, Lucia, you do look lovely. I don’t think there has ever been such a beautiful bride. Poor Lord Cavendish won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

Aashini stared into the looking glass, seeing the sincerity shining in Matilda’s eyes as she fastened a simple single strand of pearls about her neck.

“You may keep those,” Matilda added, smiling at her and resting her hands on Aashini’s shoulders. “Consider them a wedding present.”

“Oh, Tilda, no, I couldn’t.” She turned to look into the eyes of a woman who had become her closest friend and wondered if her luck could possibly last any longer. “It’s too much.”

“Nonsense,” Matilda said, laughing. “I want you to have them.” Suddenly her eyes were too bright, and she batted away a tear. “Goodness, the ceremony hasn’t even begun, and I’ve already turned into a watering pot. A new low even for me.” Matilda laughed and snatched up a handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes.

Aashini got up and crossed the room, taking Matilda’s hands in hers. “I’ve never had a friend like you before,” she said, smiling as Matilda gave a little sob. “I’ll miss living with you.”

“Don’t be silly. With your new husband to keep you busy?” Matilda said, struggling not to cry. “Oh, I shall miss you too, Lucia.”

She flung her arms about her and Aashini hugged her back, caring nothing for creasing her gown, or anything else, but that her friend was crying.

“Matilda,” she said, once they’d both calmed themselves a little. “There is something I need to tell you.”

“What, dear?”

Aashini took a deep breath. Her birthday was tomorrow, and from this afternoon she had Silas at her side. She was no longer alone, and Matilda had earned the right to the truth.

“Come,” she said, taking Matilda’s hand and pulling her to sit beside her on the bed. “I think it’s time I told you the truth about who I am.”

She kept the story brief this time, only giving Matilda the salient points. There would be time enough for discussions, should Matilda still wish to continue her friendship.