But she also knew that she had little choice but to go through with the meeting. If she refused Ashfield’s suit, or attempted to undermine his interest in her, Aunt Kitty and Uncle George would turn her out. She would find herself on the streets, utterly without means. Women died—or worse—on the streets of London every day. So, no matter how frightened she was of the man, or how guilty she felt about the deception her family was perpetrating against him, Mira would meet Ashfield. She would be gracious and as charming as she could be. And, whatever it took, she would get herself out of this mess.
Fussing now with the bodice of her gown, or, rather, Bella’s gown, which Aunt Kitty had decreed Mira must wear, Mira huffed a sigh of exasperation. “It remains to be seen whether either of us will marry him. As for him being a murderer—a point you seem determined to dwell upon—that is, as far as I know, merely gossip.”
Hoping to put an end to the conversation, Mira added, “You might show a bit of gratitude. You know perfectly well that your papa intended to trade you away to Ashfield, and Blackwell is expecting you to walk across the ballroom floor tonight. If Blackwell finds a way to maneuver through this evening, you may find yourself engaged to the Butcher of Bidwell come tomorrow morning.”
Obviously stung by her older cousin’s reminder of her ever-so-close call, Bella glared at Mira, and for a moment she looked like Kitty Fitzhenry’s daughter. By all accounts, Bella bore little resemblance to her mother…or her father. Indeed, she was considered quite a beauty, and the whole family counted on that beauty translating into a lucrative match on the marriage mart. If she played her cards right, she would bring some handsome, wealthy, young buck up to scratch by the end of this, her first Season, or early the next.
“Maman will never allow that to happen. She loves me,” Bella snapped.
“Bella,” Mira said briskly, “if Ashfield killed three women, including his first fiancée Olivia Linworth, the authorities would have arrested him. This is England, after all. We have laws.”
Bella snorted indelicately. “Arrest Blackwell’s son? I doubt it. Blackwell is wildly rich and even more powerful. Besides, it is not as though anyone saw Ashfield kill those girls.”
“Precisely,” Mira said. “There is no proof that Ashfield did anything wrong at all. And without proof, you have nothing.”
Bella lifted one expressive shoulder. “Sometimes you don’t need proof, Mira. You simply know something is true.”
“Nonsense. As I said before, Bella, the rumors of Ashfield’s misdeeds are merely that: rumors. I am not the least concerned.” She stood and fluffed her skirts, annoyed at the tremor in her hands.
Hopping down from Mira’s bed, Bella cut her cousin a sly look. “You say that now, but I would wager you my new white hair ribbon you will faint dead away the instant Ashfield pins you with his evil gaze.”
“I’m made of stronger stuff than that,” Mira scoffed.
“Very well,” Bella said. “You seem so certain that Ashfield will cry off because you are not me. I will wager you my new white hair ribbon and that sapphire colored pelerine you so admire that you will cry off before he does.”
Mira paused to consider the offer for a moment. Bella could scarcely fathom being forced to do something one did not wish to do. Her position in the household was secure. But Mira knew where she stood in the Fitzhenry clan. She could not cry off, no matter how much she might want to. If the engagement were to end, it would have to be Ashfield’s doing.
“Done,” she said. “I will accept your challenge.”
Bella merely shrugged and headed for the door, but before she got there Kitty Fitzhenry appeared.
“Mira, it is time to go. Let’s have a look at you, then.”
Mira dutifully turned in a circle for Aunt Kitty’s inspection. She knew that the white muslin dress did little to favor either her figure or her complexion. No matter how tight she drew her stays, the dress refused to follow her curves, snug where it should drape and gaping where it should be snug.
The corners of Kitty’s mouth turned down in disapproval.