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important! Immediately she felt guilty. Her father had been so broken by his wife’s death, he had barely been able to care for his own children.
    â€œI wrote General Stanton after my father died,” Meredith replied slowly. “I thought he would want to know. I was sure you both would want to see Annabel—perhaps ask me to bring her to London. But he never replied.”
    A shadow of bitter regret flitted across the older woman’s face. “I’m sorry, my dear. I never knew. My greatest fear has always been that you and your sister resented the estrangement and had no desire to ever contact me. If I had only known.” She shook her head in exasperation, obviously frustrated by so many lost opportunities.
    The tension that had gripped Meredith since entering Stanton House began to ease. It seemed she had an ally after all. The only question remaining was whether Lady Stanton would defy her husband and agree to help her granddaughter.
    â€œYou know we need your help.” Meredith’s heart pounded erratically. “Annabel will be lost unless your family intervenes. I have no rights of guardianship, either to her person or her fortune. My uncle is a determined man, and I know that only someone more powerful will be able to stop him from confining Annabel to an asylum.”
    Meredith could hear her voice starting to tremble. The other woman reached across the table and took her hand.
    â€œThere is no question, my dear. Annabel is safe now. Her family will take care of her, and you may rest assured I will never let her uncle harm her, or you.”
    It was too much for Meredith. All the pent-up emotion could no longer be contained. She broke down and wept as Lady Stanton rose from the divan and hugged her. For the first time in years, she had someone older and wiser to lean on.
    Lady Stanton stroked Meredith’s face with a soft hand and dried her eyes with a napkin.
    â€œCome, my child. There is no need for any more tears. My granddaughter has finally come home, and we must see what we can do to help her.”
    Meredith struggled to regain her composure, taking a sip of tea in an effort to clear her throat. It was rather tiresome, she admitted to herself, to act so continuously like a watering pot.
    Lady Stanton swished gracefully back to her seat, an engaging twinkle lighting up her eyes. “I suspect you already have a plan, and you simply need me to put it into motion.”
    â€œYes, my lady. I have given the matter much thought,” said Meredith, dabbing at her runny nose with a napkin. “What Annabel needs is a Season. In fact, what she really needs is a husband.”
    For just a second, Lady Stanton looked astonished. Then she began to laugh with delight. Meredith felt dizzy with relief at the other woman’s evident approval.
    â€œBrilliant, my dear! I wish I had thought of it myself. If Annabel marries, then her guardianship and control of her fortune passes to her husband. Your uncle will never be able to touch her.”
    Meredith nodded thoughtfully, relieved Lady Stanton’s thinking confirmed her own. There was, however, one thing still troubling her. “My greatest fear is that we will never be able to get my uncle to agree to her marriage,” she confided. “I would hate for Annabel to have to elope to Scotland.”
    Lady Stanton waved her concern away with an airy gesture. “Special license,” she said succinctly.
    Meredith hesitated, unwilling to disagree with her ladyship, but her doubts must have been clearly written on her face.
    â€œDon’t worry, my dear,” Lady Stanton said dryly. “We know the archbishop.”
    The crushing fear that had weighed so heavily on Meredith began to dissipate. Elation replaced despair as she realized all the risks she and Annabel had taken just might have been worth it.
    Lady Stanton rose from the divan, her quick movements belying her age. She walked briskly to the bell pull