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Her mother’s shoulders relaxed a little, and she said quietly, “Then perhaps not all is lost, but there will still be rumors.” She shook her head and turned back to Ava. “You don’t realize what you’ve done, do you?”

“Mama?” Ava stared at her, bewildered.

Her mother shook her head again sadly. “I need to speak to your brother.” Mama left her and Ava sat down heavily on a chair, her knees gone weak.

*

Robert stared at his mother, aghast.

“I don’t believe it! If there is one thing I know about Jerome, he’s a man of honor. If he ruined an innocent young woman, he would have married her.”

The duchess met his gaze with tight lips. “You have selective memory, then. He was notorious for it!”

“Flirtations only! Debutantes set their caps for him, tried to trap him, and he punished them a little, but nothing like what you’re suggesting!”

“Your partiality blinds you, Robert.”

Robert compressed his mouth into a grim line. “I shall ask him. He will tell me the truth. There are two sides to every tale and this one is surely twisted out of all recognition! God, if I thought it was true—of course I would not let Ava marry him!”

*

In the days that followed, Ava’s mother looked at her with sad eyes. Heather did the same, and Robert avoided her. Sarah was kind, but even her kindness was tempered by a tinge of pity that made Ava shrivel. Her usually buoyant nature thrived under the conviction that she was well-loved and that, if she made mistakes, she would be forgiven. For the first time in her life, she realized she had done something that her family couldn’t forgive her for.

Five days after their arrival at The Castle, Robert requested her to attend him in his study. No doubt Robert was going to haul her over the coals. At least he had the consideration to do it in private. She straightened her shoulders and headed for the study, which was situated behind the library toward the back of the house.

She had never been afraid of her brother, but for the first time in her life, she felt a shudder of trepidation. He was not an intemperate man, but she knew of others who had been on the receiving end of his infrequent anger, and it wasn’t pretty. He had never shown that side of himself to his sisters, but she believed Kenrick had seen it on occasion.

She knocked, and in answer to his summons, opened the door and stepped inside. He was not, as she expected, at his desk. Instead, he was standing in front of the fireplace with one of Em’s kittens in his arms. Emerald was a stray cat he had befriended in London two years ago and a number of her offspring had been relocated to The Castle. The kitten bore a striking resemblance to her mother, being entirely black, but instead of green eyes, this one had startlingly blue ones. Like Ravenshaw’s, she thought with a pang.

“Ava.” He nodded to her and set Sapphire down on the rug. The cat immediately leaped onto one of the armchairs and began kneading and purring. Ava hovered near the door, gripping her hands tightly in front of her. In the past, she would normally bounce up to him for a kiss on the cheek and a hug.

“Robert,” she managed through a tight throat.

He looked at her critically for a moment. “Are you sleeping?”

“Not well,” she admitted.

“I’m glad to see that you are not devoid of conscience then.”

She flinched.

“I have had word from London as to what is happening. I thought you should know.”

She braced herself. Ravenshaw and the countess?

“As you are no doubt aware, I sent a letter to Haldane and Silverly, informing them that I was unable to persuade you to accept Haldane’s suit. Fortunately, few people were aware of the potential for the match, and when nothing comes of it, it will be forgotten. Not so easily dismissed are the whispers about you eloping with Lannister, however. But the notice of your impending nuptials to Ravenshaw will, I hope, silence most of those rumors.”

She nodded, her shoulders relaxing.

“Naturally, it has caused quite a stir. Particularly as strong bets were being placed on his marrying the countess. However, it would seem that we have avoided the worst of the possible scandal. So, your escapade has had fewer consequences than I feared.”

He paused and paced away from the fireplace to his desk. Tapping the surface with his fingers, he paused and turned. “Just because you have been lucky, I don’t wish you to underestimate the damage your reckless behavior could have caused. You are fortunate that Ravenshaw is, despite everything, a gentleman. The alternative would have been Lannister, and I am not confident I could have forced him to do the right thing by you.”

She opened her mouth and then shut it again. What can I say to any of that?

“But,” he went on, “you should understand that I am deeply disappointed in you, Ava. Your selfish disregard for others is appalling. I am ashamed of you. Mama is quite devastated.”

She nodded, her throat working. She wished she understood better why Mama was so set against Jerome. But being treated as a pariah by her family cut Ava deeply. It was unbearable. This is awful. They all hate me!