Chapter 19 #2
“No, I wouldn’t,” the duchess replied calmly.
“As I explained to Ellis, your father is the villain. He’s treated me horribly all these years.
I sought affection elsewhere with Rowland Harker, then your father made me live with the consequences of my actions.
It was most cruel. People will be sympathetic to me, you’ll see. ”
“How evil to have to suffer the consequences of your actions,” Jo muttered.
“How about we publish a book explaining the real story before yours is published?” Ellis suggested. “As it happens, I know a publisher.”
“Excellent idea, Ellis,” Sheff said, glancing at her with a faint nod before directing a glare toward the duchess.
“Of course, the real story is that you were being unfaithful to Father long before he sought comfort in the arms of others. He loved you, and he married you thinking you loved him too.”
Ellis took satisfaction in the duchess turning scarlet.
“He lied to you,” the duchess sputtered.
“Don’t even try to make us believe that,” Sheff said with disgust. “He told me personally, and if you think I couldn’t see the hurt he felt when you betrayed him—you’re even colder than I thought.
You married him for the title but made him think that you loved him.
Then, as soon as you provided an heir, you found a lover.
Honestly, I’m glad you did. Giving us Ellis as our sister was probably the nicest thing you’ve done for us. ”
Ellis’s heart expanded. She looked toward Sheff and Min. He was too focused on their mother, but Min smiled at Ellis and nodded.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Min said defiantly. She narrowed her eyes at the duchess. “I will sell everything I own to ensure you leave London and never return, nor can you go to Bath or Weston or anywhere else we might be. Have you considered Australia?”
“You don’t need to do that,” Sheff said to Min. “I’ll give her the money to leave. But just once, then never again.”
“I don’t want your money,” the duchess in a near-whine. “I want only your love and respect. I deserve it.”
“But you’re never going to have those things.” Min’s lip curled. “I will never forgive you for the way you’ve treated Ellis or the way you treated Papa.” She moved to stand beside Ellis, their arms touching.
Sheff crossed to Ellis’s other side. “I feel the same.”
Ellis was incredibly humbled by her siblings’ support. Summoning a brief smile, she regarded their mother with a glorious sense of victory. “You’ve lost. Nobody here wants you. They’re my family now. They’ve chosen me, and now I have the family I’ve always wanted.”
Min took Ellis’s hand. “The family she deserves.”
“Despite your efforts, I’m here and I’m happy,” Ellis said, clutching Min fiercely. “You have nothing, and I’m fairly certain I can ensure no one in the publishing world will buy your lies. They won’t want to be sued for libel, and I’m sure you’d rather not participate in a very public lawsuit.”
The duchess sucked in a breath, her cheeks hollowing, making her appear almost skeletal. “You are all a disappointment to me.” She glowered at Sheff. “I’m at Mivart’s. You can send money there.”
“Only if you promise never to bother us again,” he said. “I’ll have my solicitor draw up a contract.”
“You would do that to your own mother?” she asked, aghast.
“I actually don’t have a mother anymore,” Sheff said, almost cheerfully. “Shall I show you out, ma’am?”
The duchess gasped, and her eyes narrowed. She turned on her heel and stomped from the room.
Min and Ellis looked at each other again and began to laugh. They quickly embraced, and Sheff joined in. Then they all flopped down in the seating area with Jo, who regarded them with warmth and encouragement.
Sheff stretched out his legs as he settled into his chair. “That was almost fun.”
“Almost,” Min said. “It was also rather harrowing.” She looked at Ellis. “Are you all right?”
“I am, surprisingly. I can’t thank you all enough for your generosity and your support. And your love,” Ellis added softly.
“We do love you,” Sheff said.
“And you are part of this family.” Min smiled widely. “I loved what you said to her.”
“Oh yes, that was brilliant,” Sheff agreed. “I only wish you all could have seen Keele and me when we confronted Harker.”
Ellis snapped her gaze to her brother. “What are you talking about?”
“Last night, Keele told him he knew Harker had been his wife’s lover.”
Ellis’s joy faded beneath a heavy weight of apprehension. “Did he call him out?”
“No, Keele decided he didn’t need to do that anymore,” Sheff replied. “If it helps to know, I think he’d already mostly decided that before I arrived to talk sense into him.”
“I’m so relieved,” Ellis said, slumping back against the settee next to Min. “How did Harker react?”
“He was surprisingly contrite and said he would make an effort not to continue his philandering. He knows that if he does, his life will be over as he knows it. He will be cut off from you and Jo and from our child.” He glanced at Jo, who nodded.
“I also might have mentioned that your other half-siblings would be inclined to no longer speak with him if they learned the true depth of his debauchery. We also made it clear that he would be shunned by Society, and we made him promise never to teach painting again.”
Ellis stared at him in awe. “You didn’t hold back.”
“Nor should we have,” Sheff said.
Noting Sheff said “we,” she realized he meant himself and Roman. “How was Roman?” She was still worried about him.
“I will let him tell you.”
“He doesn’t even know where I am,” Ellis said. “Unless you told him?”
Sheff shrugged. “I didn’t tell him you were here, but Roman is a smart man.”
“I should see him.” Ellis needed to tell him how she felt. She should have done it the other night instead of hiding behind a rogue rule. It was time to let him see her heart. He wasn’t truly a rogue at all, and even if he were, she would love him anyway.
“I think you’ll find that if you stay around the house today, you might have a chance to speak with him.” Sheff stood. “And that’s all I’m going to say about that. Bye for now, sisters. And wife,” he added with a special smile toward Jo before leaving.
“That sounds as though he’s going to call today,” Min said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“It does,” Ellis replied, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Are you ready for that?” Jo asked.
Ellis shook her head. “But I will be.”