It wasn’t terribly kind to reveal Mama’s past, but the change in conversation was most warranted. Besides, if either of her sisters had discovered the scandalous secret Danby had alluded to in the summons he’d sent Mama at Christmastime, she’d expect them to tell her. She’d be quite put out if they’d kept that information to themselves. “Apparently, she and Papa were involved in a torrid affair while his first wife was still very much alive.”
Her sisters both wore the exact same look of complete shock. “Heavens,” Patience whispered.
“When I think about all of her lectures I suffered through,” Hope breathed out.
If any of them should have suffered through Mama’s lectures, it should have been Hope. Not that any of Mama’s words had ever had any sort of effect on her sister’s behavior.
“Do you think Braden and Quent know?” Hope asked.
Their brothers were so much older. It was very likely one or both of them did, though neither of them had ever breathed a word about the situation as far as Grace knew. And they both loved Grace and her sisters since the day they’d been born, she had no doubt about that.
“Braden definitely knows,” Patience replied. “Remember what he said in his study that day when Danby summoned us all to Yorkshire?”
“Vaguely,” Hope replied. “But you were the one listening at that door. I just heard it secondhand.”
Patience heaved a slight sigh. “He said that her past with Papa aside, he’s always loved the three of us. So hehasto have known.”
Before Grace could respond to that, an ear-piercing squeal sounded from the double doors that lead to the drawing room. And then Patience squealed just as loudly.
“Veronica!” her sister gushed as she pushed out of her seat and rushed toward her friend.
Grace and Hope exchanged a look. The silliness had already begun. Patience was generally level-headed, at least until she and Veronica Ashbee were in each other’s company. Then it was as if both of them lost all rational thought.
“Oh, I am so happy to see you!” Veronica grinned as widely as Grace had ever seen. “Tell me everything! I want to know all about your Doctor Campion.”
“I’ve written you all about Matthew.” Patience led her friend back to the table. “You can meet him even. But I want to know about you, about Ginny.”
Veronica’s face fell slightly as the pair took spots beside each other at the table. “She’s doing much better now.”
“Such a horrible situation,” Hope said softly. “I was very relieved when Thad told me Lord Douglas had been apprehended.”
“Heavens,” Veronica breathed out. “Does everyone in London know everything?”
Hope shook her head. “Not everything, I’m certain. But Danby had a hand in capturing Lord Douglas, at least according to Thad. How my husband can tolerate the duke, I’m not certain. But they are fond of each other. Thad heard the tale directly from His Grace.”
Veronica nodded as though that made sense. “Oliver is quite grateful to the duke. We all are. He didn’t dare leave Ginny after we’d arrived at Waring Hall, not in her state. And so Danby’s offer to assist was nothing short of a blessing.”
Danby? Grace frowned at Veronica and then at Hope. She had no idea His Grace had anything to do with any of this. “The Duke of Danby assisted somehow?”
Veronica’s dark curls bobbed against her shoulders as she nodded. “He had a team of men to track down Douglas and Helen Waring. They’re both at Newgate now, awaiting trial.”
“You needn’t look so skeptical,” Patience began. “Matt and I dine with Danby quite often, Grace.” She smiled slightly. “He’s not nearly as fearsome as we first thought.”
“Thad does enjoy his company,” Hope tossed in. “I don’t see it myself, but…”
Patience shook her head. “If he hadn’t interfered in my life, Mama would have never agreed to let Matt marry me. At the time I didn’t see that, but looking back on it, everything he did has only benefited me.”
“Actually,” Hope sighed. “I suppose the same can be said for Thad and me. Danby directed my very careful husband as expertly as any puppet master might. And if he hadn’t done so…”
So Danby had a hand in Patience’s and Hope’s marriages? Making certain they were happy with the men who were now their husbands? Was that honestly true? And if so, why would he go to any effort on their behalf? Because they were his relations? Was it that simple? If that was true, why was he assistingOliverin any way? He wasn’t a relation, was he?
Grace turned her attention back to Veronica. “Are you somehow distantly related to Danby?”
The girl laughed as she shook her head. “Not in the least. Oliver had never even spoken to His Grace until he was summoned to Yorkshire this last Christmas.”
Danby had summoned Oliver, hadn’t he? Why would he do that? A million fragmented ideas swirled around in Grace’s mind, but none of them made any real sense. Why had Danby sought a connection withOliver? It didn’t make any sense, not really. And yet…And yet something niggled in the back of her mind, something that made her heart lift the tiniest bit.
Oliver must know why Danby had taken an interest in him. That only made sense, didn’t it? Even thought it was completely foolish, and even though she knew without question that she was making a grave error, she couldn’t help herself. She needed to see Oliver again. She needed to see him right away.