After a Fashion (A Class of Their Own #1)(95)
“That’s not true . . . . Well, the part about my aunt does hold quite a bit of truth, but”—Harriet ignored Oliver’s warning squeeze—“I was not planning any confidence scheme with my aunt or on my own.”
“Are you going to claim next that you were never a hat girl, because . . .” Silas raised a hand and waved someone forward.
A moment later, Harriet found herself facing Miss, Mrs., and Mr. Birmingham, all three of them looking exceedingly pleased with themselves, and all of them sending smug looks her way.
“Is this the woman who delivered your hats, Miss Birmingham?” Silas asked.
“Indeed she is,” Miss Birmingham said with a sniff. “And . . . I know for a fact that, other than perpetuating a fraud against Mr. Addleshaw, she’s also possessed of a most violent nature, given that she assaulted me. I’m sure I still have the bruises to prove it.”
The whispers were immediate, but Harriet ignored them because Oliver had drawn himself up to his full height and was moving closer to the Birmingham family. “None of you have any business being here, and considering your less-than-acceptable behavior that day, Miss Birmingham, it’s confusing to me why you’d throw nasty accusations Harriet’s way. I’m too much of a gentleman to disclose the extent of your bad behavior in front of this gathering, but if you malign Harriet again, I might be forced to forget I’m a gentleman.”
Mr. Birmingham clenched his fists. “No true gentleman would take up with a hat girl.”
Silas rubbed his hands together. “I must admit I’m beyond curious as to how you became engaged to Miss Peabody, given that you only recently met her, and it also seems that you met her when she was still a . . . hat girl.” He smiled. “Could it be possible that you were so taken in by her obvious beauty that you never bothered to investigate her past?”
“I know all about her past, Silas, including everything regarding her aunt. Why, I even know that Jane sent Harriet a diamond necklace on her birthday, probably to force her niece into doing her bidding, but . . . instead of keeping the necklace, or giving in to Jane’s demands, Harriet had it delivered to the police.” Oliver ignored Jane’s hiss of rage. “Harriet’s response shows you the true measure of her character. She might have suffered an unfortunate upbringing, but instead of becoming a lady possessed of questionable morals, she’s honorable, charming, and I’m fortunate to have her in my life.”
Right there and then, Harriet fell in love.
It would have been so easy for Oliver to have done what she’d asked, to let her take responsibility for everything, but that clearly wasn’t in his nature. He was chivalrous, kind, surly upon occasion, and far too attractive for his own good, but he was a just and honorable man, and she could no longer deny that she held him in great esteem.
Jane stepped forward. “Did she tell you that she’s illegitimate and that her mother was nothing more than a conniving . . .”
“You will not speak about Harriet’s mother,” Oliver interrupted in a lethal voice. “Nor will you ever contact Harriet again after you leave this ball.”
Jane lifted her chin. “You dare to threaten me, boy? She’s my niece, and I’ll contact her whenever I please. You should be thankful you’re being given the truth about her, although why you keep trying to defend her is a little confusing to me.”
“I find I’m confused as well.”
Harriet resisted a sigh when she looked over at the double doors leading into the ballroom and discovered none other than the Duke of Westmoore standing there.
Jane sucked in a sharp breath before edging behind Silas, but before Harriet could dwell on the reason behind that, Victoria materialized out of the crowd and hurried to her father’s side. The young lady didn’t seem bothered at all by the silence in the ballroom but simply took hold of her father’s arm and immediately began trying to tug him out of the room.
“You’re supposed to wait to make a grand entrance, Father, but . . . given that the conversation has turned a little disturbing, I think it might be for the best if you take me back to the hotel.”
“You may wait for me outside this room, Victoria,” the duke said. “I’ll join you directly, but I need some answers before I take my leave, especially since I’ve agreed to enter into a business alliance with Mr. Addleshaw.” He settled his attention on Oliver, quirking a brow.
Harriet started forward, wanting to get to the duke before Oliver got to him and took all the blame. Unfortunately, Oliver seemed to know exactly what she was about, because he wouldn’t allow her to shake out of his hold. He pulled her to his side and began walking slowly in the duke’s direction, speaking to her under his breath as they walked. “We’re in this together, Harriet, so don’t even think you’re going to tell him this was all your idea.”
“The truth will harm you and will certainly see the end of your deal with the duke.”
“Perhaps, but you once told me that you’re not fond of lies. I’m suddenly of the belief that this—” he stopped walking and looked back at Silas and Jane—“is Someone’s way, if you will, of telling us we need to make this right.”
“I’m not saying I don’t agree,” she said as they began walking again, “but you’ll suffer more from what we’ve done than I will, which hardly seems fair.”