“True as I stand here! But that ain’t what I wanted to tell you. Severn did come up to scratch.”
George’s brilliant eyes were now fixed on his face, in an expression of painful eagerness. “Do you tell me she refused him?”
“That’s it. Said she had liked the notion of being a duchess, but when she thought of having to live with Severn all her life, she couldn’t stomach it. Can’t say I blame her.”
“I don’t believe it!”
“Well, you may do so. I’ve known Bella Milborne all my life. Very truthful girl — a dashed sight too truthful, I used to think, when we were youngsters! Besides, she told me not to repeat it. Thinks Severn wouldn’t wish to have it known he’d been rejected. Deuce take it, I never thought I should live to feel sorry for the Incomparable, but there’s no getting away from it: she’s looking downright peaky! Told me she was in disgrace with Mrs Milborne, and her father and my mother were the only people to have been kind to her. Told me something else, too, and I’ll swear she meant it!”
“What else did she tell you?” demanded George.
Sherry grinned up at him. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Think I’m going to betray a lady’s confidence? I’m not!”
George drew a deep breath and sat staring straight between his horse’s ears. After a moment he recollected the first of Sherry’s disclosures, and transferred his intent gaze to his face again. “You said she was on her way to Bath with your mother!”
“Well, why the devil shouldn’t she be?”
“But you said you was going there too!”