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“I’ll speak to your stepsister alone.”
    â€œAll right. All right,” he muttered. “I’m only the oldest
son
. Why should anyone want to hear what I have to say?”
    But Lady Reginald’s glance was as sharp as her tone. Lewis raised his nose as far in the air as it could go and withdrew, leaving Madelene facing her stepmother alone.
    â€œCome by me, dear.” Lady Reginald patted the sofa.
    A wave of cold swept over Madelene, but she had no choice except to do as instructed. She would have sat at the furthest end, but it would be a futile gesture. She’d just be asked to move closer and have to watch her stepmother waiting with cool patience while she did.
    Mama laughed, a sound anyone else would have taken for fondness. “Now, dear Madelene, don’t look so distressed. You know I don’t believe a word Lewis says.”
    Madelene made no answer.
    â€œI know you’re a good girl and entirely trustworthy. Lewis is just upset. It seems he’s gotten himself into one of his little pickles over money again.”
    Madelene swallowed.
    â€œIt is so difficult, isn’t it, for a young man trying to make his way in the world? It’s almost as bad as it is for a woman. So many appearances to be kept up! Clothes and carriages and of course play at the tables. But that’s what the world expects! If I was on my own, I should much prefer a quiet life, but with your brother and sisters to think of . . . well, we must all make sacrifices, mustn’t we?”
    She paused and waited for Madelene to make polite agreement. And Madelene meant to, she was certain she did. When she opened her mouth, however, something quite different came out.
    â€œHow much does he need this time?”
    Lady Reginald drew back. Her eyes narrowed. “Well. If the needs of your family have become that onerous, perhaps you should go to your new friends. I’m sure they’d be happy to shelter and protect you.”
    Madelene looked at her hands, no longer neatly folded but tightly knotted together.
    â€œAfter all, what are we to you?” Lady Reginald went on. “We’re only your father’s second family. There is no reason you should have any feeling for those who are no blood relation to you. I’m so sorry to have troubled you with my little problems. I never will again. I have jewels yet to sell. That will give Lewis what he needs. Go now, do not worry about any of us.”
    Madelene looked up at her stepmother. A single tear trickled down Lady Reginald’s lightly rouged cheek. Anger, old, thick, and exhausting, flowed through her. She wished she was more like Miss Sewell or Helene Fitzgerald. Miss Sewell would no doubt answer this outpouring with some cutting remark. Helene would just walk away and not listen to any of it. She might even pack up and go to Miss Sewell’s to stay for good.
    Except then there’d be a scandal, and a scandal would ruin any chance of the success they hoped for. If she left home, if she ran away . . . she’d ruin everything.
    â€œI’m sorry, Mama,” she made herself say. “I should not have spoken as I did. Please forgive me.”
    The words flowed easily. She’d said them so many times. Only this time she didn’t feel the regret or the guilt. All she felt was tired.
    Mama smiled, all gentle sorrow. She took Madelene’s hand and pressed it. Did she feel how entirely cold Madelene was? If so, she gave no sign. “Madelene, you know how very much we depend on you.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œIt would be different if your father’s business affairs were less complex at this time, or if Lewis were . . . well, he will grow out of it.”
    â€œI’m sure he will, Mama.”
    â€œUntil then we must make do.” Lady Reginald sighed briskly and lifted her chin. “I know you do not want Lewis or your sisters to suffer because they do not have