Duffy tugged at his waistcoat hem, regaining some composure. “Harriet has told me that it is highly probable she is enceinte with the Duffield heir.”

I looked at Harriet, who smiled smugly up at Duffy. I had to admit I did not know much about childbearing, but Charlotte had told me the way one knew one was with child. If my quick calculation was correct—barely four weeks had passed since the wedding—then that was very fast indeed.

“How wonderful,” Julia said. “Congratulations.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, perhaps a little too baldly.

“Gus!” Julia hissed beneath her breath.

“It is, indeed, early to be sure,” Harriet acknowledged, some color mounting her cheeks, “but I am fairly certain it is so, and the situation, we thought, called for the announcement.”

“Indeed,” Duffy said. “We only tell you at this early point in our expectation because there can be no more of your foolish behavior. The Duffield heir must be born into a family of spotless reputation. There can be no more unnatural infatuations with criminals and the lower orders. No more careering around the countryside, brandishing weapons and lying to all you meet. You have already brought infamy upon the family, and frankly, I cannot see a way to fully contain what you have done. Not when Ellis-Brant and his awful wife—the worst gossip in England—witnessed it too. They saw you drive off with those men. Both of you, by yourselves, into the night. And you, Augusta, returning”—he gestured to my face—“beaten like some whore.”

“Duffield!” Harriet protested primly.

“Apologies, my dear,” Duffy said.

“Your concern for my well-being warms my heart, brother,” I said.

“You have only yourself to blame, Augusta. As it stands, we must prepare ourselves for some scandal. Harriet and I, however, have determined a course of action that should preserve our family name and your reputations.”

I looked across at Julia: They have a course of action.

Julia pressed her lips together: We should listen.

I narrowed my eyes: Really?

Apparently it was a list of things, for Duffy counted the first one off with a touch of one forefinger upon the other. “To begin, you must cut all ties with those two men. All ties. It makes me sick to think you have been in their company alone, especially you, Julia. I thought you, at least, understood your own worth, even if Augusta does not.”

Julia shifted on her seat.