But she’d be the worst kind of hypocrite if she said that, given her own behavior. And she felt Mary’s words—not wanting to be beholden to any man, not wishing to give up your own sense of self to someone who wasn’t you—as though it were words she’d spoken herself.

In fact, she had likely said them many times to Sarah when they were discussing their pasts.

Thank goodness Mr. Baxter had run off before she had to break with him. She would have, she knew that. There was nothing any man could promise her that was worth her freedom. Or Nora’s, more importantly.

“You don’t think I’ve made a terrible mistake, do you?” Mary asked in a pleading voice.

“No, I—” But Della was interrupted when the door swung open to reveal Sarah, a look of concern on her face.

“I heard we had company,” Sarah said in her usual soothing tone.

Della felt an almost palpable relief, then horrified at herself for her reaction.

But the fact was, as Sarah had gently pointed out on a few occasions, that Della was not nearly as good at the comforting aspect of their lives as Sarah was. Exemplified by Sarah’s fainting spell of a few days before.

“Mrs. Borens is bringing tea, and, Della, you have an errand to run?” Sarah said.

Della rose, nodding. Even though now the thought of indulging in carnal relations with Captain Enormous made her hesitate.

What if she got pregnant? She didn’t think she could be ruined twice—once appeared to be sufficient—but she didn’t want to have to confront that possibility.

But she knew herself well enough to know that once she’d made her mind up she wouldn’t be dissuaded, so she’d just have to take pains to protect herself.

But meanwhile, there wouldn’t be any harm in going to see Lord Stanbury, would there? Just to make plans for the next day?

“He’s not here?”

Della shifted on the stoop as the butler gazed at her impassively.

“No, my lady. Although the duke is, if you would like to see him?” The man didn’t wait for a reply, but widened the door to allow her to slip inside.

The household had been in enough of a tumult so she didn’t even have to prevaricate about not taking anyone with her—she just left, after telling Sarah she’d be home in time for dinner.

So now she was here, only he wasn’t. Drat the man. Why couldn’t he have stayed at home if there was even the remotest possibility she would be arriving to discuss strategy?

“In here, my lady,” the butler said, gesturing toward a door at the other end of the hall.