the pair of ladies, giving Aunt Imogene a gallant bow befitting royalty.
“My dearest apologies, madam,” he said, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss on her knuckles. “You must excuse my errant manners.”
“I shall forgive you this time, but see that it does not happen again,” she said with an imperious sniff. But her haughtiness melted away, and Aunt Imogene grinned at Mr. Finch, giving him a matronly pat on the cheek. “You are a good lad. I’m glad to see you’ve returned to us again. Are you enjoying your time at Avebury Park? Simon’s new wife is a dear, and it does me good to see them so happy together.”
“Yes, they are quite jubilant,” said Mr. Finch, and Felicity caught a certain something that belied the warmth of his expression and words. She could not pinpoint what it was precisely, but she’d sensed a falseness beneath his earnest demeanor throughout his conversation. But that was not quite right, for he was not duplicitous. Felicity watched him as he and Aunt Imogene exchanged a few more pleasantries, and before long she recognized the truth for what it was—he held a tinge of sorrow beneath the placid exterior.
With another bow, Mr. Finch took his leave, and Felicity stared after him.
“What do you mean by misleading Mr. Finch?” asked Aunt Imogene, coming to stand before her great-niece with an imperious frown.
“It is nothing—”
But that prevarication was cut short by a snap of the lady’s cane against the floor, and Aunt Imogene narrowed her eyes. “I do not care for falsehoods, Felicity Barrows.”
A footman and maid entered at that moment, giving Felicity a reprieve as they readied a tray of tea and cakes for the pair of them. She ought to change out of her damp gown and slippers, but with the fire stoked, and a warm blanket provided by one of the servants, Felicity was in no hurry to vacate her position.
Once they left with a bow and a bob, Aunt Imogene turned on her great-niece, demanding answers.
“I didn’t set out to deceive Mr. Finch,” began Felicity, but she hung her head, rubbing at her temple. “That is not true. I did wish to deceive him.”
Aunt Imogene opened her mouth, but Felicity spoke over her.
“I need some peace, Aunt, and this little fib will give it to me. Besides, it’s not far from the truth. I am here to stay with you, I am your niece, and I do enjoy looking after you when I am around.”
At that, Felicity readied a cup of tea for Aunt Imogene, which did wonders to erase the disapproving glint in the lady’s eye.
“I simply do not wish to be known as the Heiress. Just for a little bit.”
“I do not like deceptions, my girl. They rarely end well,” said Aunt Imogene, though she set herself to enjoying her tea and cakes.
Tugging the blanket closer around her, Felicity stared at the flames in the fireplace. “Did Uncle George ever tell you of my failed elopement?”
With wide eyes, the older lady blinked at her great-niece.
Felicity took in a deep breath, letting it out with a pained expression. “I was a foolish girl of sixteen, who allowed herself to be swayed by a man with honeyed words and a calculating heart. He was the younger brother of one of Uncle’s clerks, and I was convinced Alastair Dunn was everything I longed for in a gentleman. I knew how people view my scars—”
“Oh, Felicity—”
But she held up a staying hand. “I know, Aunt Imogene. I pay it no heed now, but I was not so self-assured at that age. He was the first person, outside my closest friends and family, who did not treat me as though I still carried the pox with me. Alastair convinced me I was the most gorgeous creature he’d ever seen.”
The elderly lady abandoned her tea and cakes, coming to sit beside Felicity on the sofa and taking her hand in hers. “You are not the first to be swayed by such things.”
Felicity squeezed her hand. “No, nor am I the first to be talked into an elopement. Alastair convinced me Uncle George was biased against his suit, and that Scotland was the only option for us. I hadn’t spent much time in the company of gentlemen, so it never occurred to me that Uncle’s money was the true enticement. Luckily, Uncle George discovered it before I boarded the coach.”
Her heart gave a sad sigh, though Felicity did not know if it was