Thomasina nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

“I couldn’t dare to hope that Lord Harcourt is looking. Would he, after our sister caused him so much trouble?” Juliana asked.

Thomasina twisted her mouth. “The subject of Anne is a tender one between us. He doesn’t seem to like to discuss her.”

“Now that you are married, perhaps that will change. Especially if things were as wonderful in your marital bed as you said. I’ve heard of ladies who manipulate that position with their husband for their own ends.”

Thomasina frowned at the idea of using the physical connection between her and Jasper to get what she wanted. It felt like the only place he truly let her in thus far. But this was her sister they were talking about. Anne was in trouble, of that she had no doubt.

How could she deny any method of helping her?

“Well, since we don’t know the intentions of the men in our lives,” Thomasina said, “perhaps we should do what we discussed yesterday and do a little investigating of our own.”

Juliana nodded. “I think we should, especially if I’m going to be forced to leave. What do you think of speaking to Nora?”

Thomasina grabbed her sister’s hand. “I was just going to say that myself, but you probably know that already.” They giggled, for they used to call that Triplet Magic, when their thoughts were so aligned. “You and Father spoke to our sister’s maid just after Anne ran away.”

“Father screeched at her,” Juliana corrected. “It scared her half to death. Perhaps after a few days and with Anne not returning, it will give her reason to say more.”

Thomasina nodded as she pulled the bell. Willard appeared and she asked him to fetch Nora. As they waited, she felt Juliana’s stare on her. Appraising. All-seeing. She only hoped her sister wouldn’t ask after her emotions with as much detail as she had pursued her experience in her marriage bed.

Talking about her heart felt even more intimate.

At last the door opened and Nora stepped in. The maid was a slight little thing, with pale blonde hair and wide blue eyes. Currently they were rimmed with dark circles. Her hands shook as she stepped into the space and glanced from Thomasina to Juliana.

“Good morning, my lady, Miss Juliana,” she said, and her voice trembled even harder than her hands.

Thomasina stepped forward. “Good morning, Nora, please come in. I think you must know what we’ve asked you here to discuss.”

To her shock, the maid lifted her hands to her face and began to weep loudly. Juliana’s eyes were wide as she met Thomasina’s and then she rushed to close the door and give this surprising moment some privacy.

Meanwhile, Thomasina rushed to put an arm around her as Nora hiccupped, “Y-You’re g-going t-to s-sack me.”

“No!” Thomasina burst out as she guided Nora to the settee and helped her sit. “Gracious, no, of course not.”

Nora lifted her head from her hands and swiped at the tears that streaked across her cheeks. “You aren’t?”