Chapter 43
FORTY-THREE
Ravenglass
Geneva tried to dismiss what Rory had said about Honor, but doubt had already taken root, and as she lay awake that night, she viewed the events of the past few weeks through a different lens.
Was Honor really envious of her? And would she betray her in the most vicious way one woman could betray another?
Geneva had her doubts about Rory, but Honor didn’t know that, and if she had been the one to go through Geneva’s jewelry case, she’d know that Rory had given her a ring.
And if it was her, what had she been looking for?
Perhaps Honor felt slighted that Geneva had inherited some of their mother’s most valuable pieces of jewelry, but their father had handed her their mother’s jewelry case without thinking, and simply because she was the oldest. That wasn’t fair, and she would ask Honor if there were any items she wanted and offer them to her.
But was it possible that what Honor wanted most was Rory?
She had made such passionate arguments against Geneva’s relationship with him, but could that have been just so that she could pursue him for herself?
And what about Jesse? She had never seen Honor behave in such a coy, playful manner before, and Geneva had to concede that her sister was no longer a little girl.
She was on the cusp of womanhood, and perhaps she had crossed that line already, while no one had been watching.
Did Honor think that if Geneva chose Rory, she herself might have a chance with Jesse?
That would certainly solve all Honor’s problems. She wouldn’t have to leave her home, go off to finishing school, or look for work once she came of age.
She would be Lady Bellamy, the beautiful young countess she could only become if Geneva were no longer in the way.
But was her little sister capable of such devious deeds?
Had she really offered herself to Rory, or had he embroidered the facts in order to nudge Geneva into making a decision?
It was possible, of course, but deep down Geneva knew Rory to be on the level.
He was a grown man, not an adolescent boy bent on playing games, and she’d never before caught him in a lie.
She would have to keep a close eye on Honor in the coming days.
Her sister didn’t know that Rory meant to leave, so perhaps she would try again and see if this time he might be amenable to her advances, but, handsome as Rory was, he wasn’t the ultimate prize.
He had nothing to offer Honor besides a sexual experience, and, as exciting as that might be, it was Jesse who held her world in the palm of his hand.
Geneva turned onto her stomach and punched her pillow.
She couldn’t believe she was thinking these awful, disloyal thoughts.
Perhaps that was precisely what Rory had intended, to give her reason to question Honor’s integrity and see if she could find the evidence she needed to support her suspicions.
Well, she wouldn’t play into his hands. Honor could be selfish and immature, but she was seventeen.
What seventeen-year-old girl wasn’t a bit of a handful?
Honor was just testing the waters. It was only natural.
She was taking the measure of the men around her in order to understand their very natures.
In a few short years, Honor would be in a position to make decisions about her own future.
She was searching for a role model—that was all, Geneva reasoned.
Perhaps she had been testing Rory, trying to decide whether he was worthy of her sister’s love, just as she was observing Jesse to determine whether he could be trusted.
Now that Rose was there, Honor had a friend her own age to confide in and finally had the support and companionship she craved.
Geneva was no longer enough. Honor needed friends who could understand her on her own level, and Lord knew poor Rose had plenty of angst of her own.
She was cooped up in that house with a mother who watched her like a hawk and refused to let her spread her wings, even a little.
Geneva was glad Rose would be leaving for Switzerland in a few months.
At least she would have the chance to make friends and have experiences of her own.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a dreadful idea to send Honor to the same school.
The two girls could look out for one another, and by the time Honor returned she would be of age, ready to step into a life of her own.
Geneva would speak to Honor tomorrow. And if she was willing, then maybe Douglas could charge Mr. Lefferts with making the arrangements and paying the school fees in advance, so they wouldn’t have to rely on Jesse’s goodwill. Having settled on a plan of action, Geneva felt a little more at peace.
Eventually, she slept.