A Daring Liaison(62)

“Of course, Lady Aston.”

“You were her chief interest in life after her father died and she fetched you home. Her letters were full of the news of your accomplishments and successes. And I can see for myself that she did not lie about how beautiful you are.”

She never realized that Aunt Caroline had bragged of her. That knowledge was bittersweet. It would have been nice to know while Caroline was still alive. “Thank you.”

The thought suddenly occurred to her that, if Lady Aston had been at school with Lady Caroline, perhaps she had known Georgiana’s mother, too. “Did...did you know my mother, Lady Aston?”

“I loved her like a sister. She was my best friend,” the woman said, her tone lowering with sadness. “And she remained my best friend until she died six months ago.”

“Six...” Georgiana could not comprehend that statement. Her mother had died two-and-twenty years ago. Aunt Caroline had died six months ago. Aunt Caroline...

Lady Aston leaned forward and patted Georgiana’s hand. “I see you have caught my meaning.”

Georgiana’s pulse raced and she felt peculiarly light-headed. “Aunt Caroline was...was...”

“She was. Her father would not allow her to keep you. He removed Caroline from their home before her condition began to show and took you away the moment you were born. It was almost three years before Caroline found you. Once her father died, she brought you home.”

“But she was not married.”

“It happens that way, sometimes, Georgiana. I did not judge Caroline, and neither must you.”

Her mind reeled at this revelation. “I am...a bastard.”

“Tch! No one must know that, dear. Caroline took every precaution that you were protected from that stigma. I am the only one Caroline told, and you are the only one I will ever tell. That is what was in this letter, you know—not the truth itself, but her request that I finally tell you the truth. The facts themselves are not written anywhere.”

Then this was why Aunt Caroline had instructed her to wait until the letter had been read. “She...she could have, should have, told me.”

“She did not want you to know while she was still alive. She was ashamed and could not have endured your disgust. You see, she did not know she was with child when she had her accident. By the time she recovered sufficiently to realize, well, she was devastated by her appearance and had decided to retire from society. She swore to me that there was never a question of marrying your father.”

“My father? Who was my father?”

“I am certain that was another thing Caroline would never have wanted to tell you. She never said, though I have my suspicions.”

“Who?”

But Lady Aston merely shook her head. “I cannot say. If I am wrong it would be a grave disservice to the man in question, and a stain upon Caroline’s honor.”

But all Georgiana could think was that her own mother had never told her the truth. Had never desired that relationship. The closeness that only two people of the same blood could share. Georgiana had mourned the loss of a mother and father who had never existed. Her stomach twisted into a knot at the knowledge that she’d been so thoroughly deceived by the only person she’d ever trusted.

“It is not so very unusual, my dear. Why, it happens all the time, and in the best of families. Often the error is discovered in time to rectify with a quick marriage. Other times, the mother must go away and bear her secret alone. But Caroline was exceedingly careful to construct a history for you that would allow you to enter society and to marry well.”

Yes, and it also explained why she’d always felt like a “duty” and why her guardian—her mother—had never been able to love her. Georgiana had been a constant reminder of her mother’s shame. Hot tears trickled down her cheeks and she pulled a handkerchief from her reticule to blot them away. She had to get away. Had to think what to do.

She stood and wadded her hankie into the palm of her hand. “I beg your pardon, Lady Aston, but I really must be going. So much to do, you know. I was to marry Charles Hunter tomorrow, and I must find him to stop it.”

Lady Aston came to her feet, too. “No, my dear. That would be a very good marriage for you. The Hunters are an excellent family, respected and well thought of.”

“A good marriage for me, perhaps. Better than I could expect. But Charles? I think not, Lady Aston. Illegitimate children are rarely accepted in the ton.”