“Nearly penniless?”
So Eden was not unaware of the state of her finances, though she had lived as though the money would last forever. Claudia admitted she bore some of the blame for that; she had indulged the girl too much. But she could also supply the remedy—once she had put an end to this madness about Eden’s son.
“Spencer left many large debts of long standing,” she said. “The creditors will be sending in their bills now that he is dead.”
“Yes. But I suspect that is not your greatest concern, Aunt. Can it be that you fear for my reputation?” She laughed, the throaty, musical sound that drew men to her like bees to a blossom. “That I shall somehow ruin myself by suddenly producing a son who is not my husband’s?” Her smile held a wild, irrational edge. “Everyone knows that Lady Eden Winstowe is almost beyond redemption. Why should the ton be shocked?”
“Even a liberal society has its limits,” Claudia said firmly. “You have always taken my advice before, and I give it to you in all familial affection. Your position may be more precarious than you will admit, now that your income is so vastly reduced. Do you wish to be ostracized by the ton?”
Eden lost her smile. That point, too, hit its mark. “I have friends—”
And have you not learned how little such friendships can mean? “In this last year, Spencer was more intemperate than ever before. You know that he was not right in the mind. He accumulated the sorts of debts, and reputation, that caused much ill will among those who were once his friends. The ton was already beginning to cut him, Eden. You were simply too involved in your own affairs to notice, but it would have affected you soon enough. And now… think, my dear. You must have time to consider carefully. This is no time for rash action.”
She gestured about the room, at the fine furnishings and rare antiques. “You can no longer bear the expense of running such an extravagant household. Your father’s investments have failed. The income from your marriage settlement has fallen to a trickle, and not enough remains to pay your debts and continue in any fashion that would maintain your place in Society. Nor can I help, for my own jointure…” She paused delicately.
“I know, Aunt. I have done my best to repay you for all you have done, but now… I do not know how I shall help you to maintain your own establishment.”
“That is of no moment, dear Niece. But how can you consider bringing an innocent child, raised by simple folk, into this questionable situation?”
Eden’s face had grown unreadable once more. “We shall sell this house and the furnishings and move to more modest lodgings.”
“Where? In Hans Town, perhaps? Would you really care to receive your fashionable friends draped in dull mourning garb, no longer able to join in their scandalous conversation and too impoverished to charm them with expensive entertainments?”
Eden stood again, her swift movements belying her apparent calm. “I am well aware of the necessities. I will reduce the staff as well, though it grieves me. We must sell Spencer’s horses and three of the carriages. That alone will settle many of Spencer’s debts, those that cannot wait.”
“And what of your own?”
“What do you suggest, Aunt? If we cannot afford to live as we have become accustomed to do, and we are in such danger of being cut by the ton, then where are we to go? I can think of but one place that remains mine without encumbrance.”
Claudia tried not to shudder. There was, indeed, one sanctuary open to Eden, a place to which she had sworn she would never return. One Claudia dreaded with equal fervency.
Hartsmere.
Not that Lord Bradwell had believed his daughter would return. He had come to hate the place as much as his sister and daughter had. But he had been determined to give Eden some refuge of her own in the event of dire need. Hartsmere was unentailed, and had become part of the marriage settlement; Spencer had only its income while he lived. Income that had rapidly diminished to nothing.