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your Jane has for you, love.” The obedient pup drooled, his eyes on the treats and bounded out of the room after her.
    “I’ll take my leave now,” muttered Darlington and withdrew, trying to maintain a shred of dignity in spite of his torn coat.
    “What’s happened to cause Chris to be in such a pelter?” asked Georgiana.
    The duchess put a finger to her lips to silence her when it became clear to her that the duke was on the verge of exploding, for the duke had reached the limit of his patience. Assaulted by the din of servants disturbing his ordered routine—his grace hadn’t even had time to finish his morning paper, for heaven’s sake. “Clear the room, Dunston! Georgie! Mary! Find some useful occupation at once.”
    Alert to the menace in his grace’s growl, Dunston shooed the servants out of the breakfast room, for they had dawdled in the hope of hearing more of the family gossip.
    The butler followed discreetly in their wake, just as Sebastian Brooks strode into the breakfast room, his eyes wide as he took in the chaotic scene.
    “What a mess! Was it the pup?” he asked, amused. “Morning, sir. How are you, ma’am?” He bent to kiss his mother-in-law’s cheek.
    The exasperated duke let out a sigh. “Morning, Sebastian. Prince made untidy love to Darlington when he came to tell us Helena had cried off their betrothal.”
    “I can’t believe Helena has cried off. After all these years,” said the duchess, shaking her head in sadness.
    “You’re right not to believe it, love. It’s the other way around, I’m afraid.”
    “What can you mean? How is this? Where is my daughter?”
    “Helena’s safe at home with my wife, ma’am. She arrived there early this morning.”
    The duchess began to rise. “I must go to Helena at once, then.”
    “Stay a moment, my dear,” said the duke. “Is Helena distraught?” He directed the question to his son-in-law.
    “Olivia finally persuaded her to rest, but it wasn’t easy. She cried for hours.”
    The duchess looked startled. “What is more important than my daughter’s unhappiness? She needs her mother.”
    “In due time, ma’am. We must first put our heads together and determine what’s to be done. The gossips in London will make Helena’s life a misery when the news gets out,” said the duke.
    The duchess looked thoughtful. “Oh dear, the ton. I hadn’t thought of that. You’re right, of course. Of all times for this to happen! Just before Georgie’s ball. What can we do?”
    Sebastian raised a hand. “If I may speak?”
    “Of course, son.”
    “Olivia and I think you ought to consider sending Helena out of London until the scandal plays itself out.”
    “I agree,” said the duke, for that thought had also occurred to him. “But where? Can’t be Bodmin, for we’ve lent the castle to relatives of my neighbor, old Tremayne, for the month. His grandson is to be married in the Heligan Gardens and he hasn’t enough room to house all his guests.”
    “What about Heatham House in Brighton?” asked the duchess.
    “Brighton is out of the question, my dear. There are many members of the ton living there year-round who would be only too happy to keep the London gossip alive.” He turned to his son-in-law. “We’ll all return to your home with you, Sebastian. We can’t discuss this without Helena. She should have a say in this matter. Besides, his grandparents want to see their grandson.”
    Sebastian grinned. “He’ll be delighted, I’m sure. Go on ahead without me, sir. I have an appointment at the home office. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
     
    “What shall I do with my life now, Livy?” asked Helena in a tragic voice for the fourth or possibly the fifth time. Her eyes were rimmed with red. “Don’t ask me the how and the why of it. Suffice it to say I tried to be bold like you, but I failed miserably.” She touched the back of her hand to her forehead. “My life is over.”
    “Nonsense, you goose. What you must do