Della shook her head. “Lord Stanbury and I asked at the docks this morning.” She didn’t want to raise Sarah’s hopes by telling her Mr. Wattings had been in town a year prior. Better to wait until she had something definitive to share. “But we will not quit until we know something,” she said, a fierce tone in her voice.

Sarah gave a soft smile. “Thank you,” she replied.

“What happens after you find Mrs. Wattings’s husband?” Olivia asked.

One of the maids came in bearing a tea tray, setting it down on the table between them. Olivia immediately snagged a biscuit, but Della knew her questions wouldn’t cease merely because her mouth was full.

“I mean,” she said, her words emerging between bites, “how are you and Lord Stanbury going to explain when you don’t get married after all?”

Sarah arched her brow as though curious to hear the answer as well.

“Well,” Della replied, fixing her tea, “we decided Lord Stanbury would announce that he is too busy with ducal things to consider marriage at this time.” She shrugged. “And everyone will assume it is my fault, since I am so extremely fallen.”

Olivia frowned as she swallowed. “But doesn’t that just mean you acquire more scandal? Don’t you want to find someone you actually want to marry?”

Sarah bit her lip as though feeling Della’s emotions herself. It was lovely to have a close friend, but not when your friend suffered alongside you.

“I won’t ever get married,” she replied, trying to keep her voice light. “What kind of man would want to marry me anyway?”

Olivia snorted. “A wise one? You’re intelligent, brave, a good mother, and beautiful besides.”

Della felt herself start to blush. If only she’d had as much confidence in herself five years ago as her sister did in her now. She would not have run off with Mr. Baxter, who’d exploited her insecurities and persuaded her to do a very foolish thing.

“Thank you, Olivia, but I have to assure you, I have no interest in marriage.” Della felt her chest get tight as she pondered it. “A husband can do with his wife whatever he wants. He might say during the courtship period that he can overlook a woman’s past, but what would happen the first time we had a disagreement? Or the twentieth time?” She shook her head. “Far better not to risk it at all.”

“That is such a shame,” Sarah said, her tone gentle. “I have to believe that any man you would choose would never betray you so.”