Adelaide gave him a pitying look. “And if I had been less of a shrew, you might have wished to, rather than take delight in avoiding me. The fault is mine, and I own it. I am sorry to have given you such worry and trouble. If not for Emblyn…”

Harrison shuddered at the thought but managed a smile at the mention of his sister. “Yes, thank God for her.”

“I did, thank you.” Adelaide smiled back and continued to eat her breakfast. “I did apologize to her, by the by. And I’ll admit to being wholly mistaken where she was concerned. I think—I believe I had been so conditioned by the thoughts and impressions of Society in London that I never took a moment to consider my own thoughts and feelings on the subject. That a person might be more than the circumstances of their birth. And I envied such freedom be given to someone born less fortunate than I. It is a selfish way of thinking, but there it is.”

It warmed his heart to hear her speak so, but there was something she held back, some question that still lingered in his mind, and he suspected she knew the answer. “Had you such freedom, would you have married Mr. Evans?”

She stilled at her end of the table, swallowing slowly before raising her eyes to his. “If he had asked?”

Harrison nodded.

“Yes, I think I would have.” She set her fork down, her hands lowering to her lap. “In all the time we knew each other, he brightened my days and seemed to see me in a way that no one else did or could. I did not feel as though I were only one of the eligible girls in Society—I felt like Adelaide. I think he would have made me very happy.”

“Happy,” Harrison repeated. “Are you sure?”

Her chin lifted a little. “Absolutely. Phillip loves me more than life, and there is no other woman he could ever want.” The fire left her eyes, and she seemed to slump without her posture altering a jot. “At least, that is what I was led to believe. Anna says he is seeking out others now, and I suppose that is as it must be.”

Harrison bit the inside of his cheek, debating within himself. “Adelaide, I think there is something I must tell you, and it will likely cause you pain, but I say it without malice or ill intent. I only wish to help.”

“This sounds promising,” she muttered, tilting her head as she plucked up her fork again. “About Phillip?”

He nodded. “I do not know that he would have made you as happy as he led you to believe. Phillip Evans has a regular membership and frequent patronage of a well-known establishment with less than reputable ladies, which would have affected that happiness.”

The fork clattered loudly against the plate. “He what?”

“He is quite appreciated there.”