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is leave London until the scandal dies down,” said her sister. “And while you are gone, we Fairchilds will do everything in our power to right the wrongs Chris has so unwisely saddled you with when he cried off.”
    Helena gave her sister’s words some serious thought. “You’re right, Livy. I won’t be able to bear facing up to the gossipmongers. Even the daughter of a duke can’t escape their scorn when she doesn’t behave properly. What must I do?”
    “The question is not what you must do, but where you must go. Any thoughts as to where you might like to hibernate for a spell? Pick a country, if you like.”
    “Oh, I don’t care. Just as long as it’s far enough away so I never have to see Darlington’s face again.” Helena dabbed at her eyes.
    “That’s right, love. Dry your tears. But…”
    “But what?”
    “You’re really going to have to develop a stiffer spine, dear. You’ve worn your heart on your sleeve for so long, it’s almost become a part of you. It won’t do if you’re ever going to convince people it was you who cried off and not that cad.” Olivia paused. “He never gave you any reason, you say? Extraordinary.”
    “No. He gave no reason,” she lied, and changed the subject. “Develop a stiffer spine, you say? How can I? I’m not like you, Livy. Not in the least.” She turned her face to the wall, too ashamed of her brazen act last night to confess the truth. “Why would I lie,” she lied, piling one falsehood upon another. “Chris said I wasn’t a proper wife for an aspiring diplomat.”
    Olivia raised her head at the sound of approaching horses. “A carriage is coming. Must be our parents. I’ve sent Sebastian to fetch them.”
    “Oh no. How could you, Livy? Must I see them? They’re the last people on earth I want to face just now.”
    “Yes, of course you must, you ninny. They’re not your enemies. They’re on your side in this business. Besides, you’ll need their help. Come. Dry your tears and we’ll go down to greet them.”
    Olivia had to grip Helena’s hand and drag her down the stairs.
    “Where’s my grandson?” the duke demanded.
    “I’ll send for him, Father, but you must play with him in the morning room where my busy little terror can’t destroy anything. We’ve removed all breakable objects within his reach there.” She took her father’s arm and led the way into a sunlit room overlooking the garden.
    As soon as the baby appeared with his nurse, the duke shed his waistcoat, neck cloth and silk vest. He sat on a blanket on the floor with his grandson, who giggled and gurgled while the otherwise dignified duke of the realm entertained his namesake by making a fool of himself.
    “I wouldn’t have had this happen to you for the world,” said the duchess, clasping Helena’s hand in sympathy. “But if it were meant to be, my darling, better by far for it to end before you wed Darlington.”
    “I think Helena would be better off if she left London for a while, Mother. Do you agree?”
    “Yes, I do. If she doesn’t, the ton will make her life a misery. Have you given any thought to where you might like to go, love?”
    Helena wished she were anywhere but in this roomful of loving relatives, for their pity served only to make her spirits sink lower. Appealing visions of a dungeon without a door or a storm-tossed shack sinking into quicksand invaded her thoughts.
    She tried to hide her resentment at their well-meaning concern. “India? America? A penal colony in Australia, perhaps? I don’t really care just as long as it’s as far away from London as possible.”
    “Don’t talk such nonsense, Helena. Land’s End is far enough,” said Olivia, annoyed.
    “Or the Isle of Scilly,” said Sebastian as he entered the morning room. He stopped to chuck his son Tony under his pudgy chin. “Unfortunately, both places may well prove to be a dead bore.”
    “Oh, what difference does it make? My life is over anyway,” whined Helena between