Page 29 of The Secret Sister

Harriet turned and stared at her aunt. ‘Granville? Granville Leveson-Gower?’

‘The very one.’ She waved an elegant hand.

Harriet knew her mouth was flopping open and shut like a codfish, but she couldn’t help it. How did one say to one’s beloved aunt that they had no intention of marrying her cast-off lover?

Chapter 13

HARYO

London

Lord Granville Leveson-Gower tooled down Piccadilly on the way to visit Bess. He’d received a summons, and as always, he obeyed. Years of devotion did that to a man. He smiled to himself as he approached, wondering what it was she needed. In the seventeen years that they’d been close, they’d been passionate lovers, but not only that, good friends. They had never discussed fidelity: she had her husband, and he’d had his share of other lovers. And that was how things were. Both in limbo, both helpless, both lost. Now, there was no intimacy between them, nor had there been for some time, just an abiding friendship.

He pulled up and handed his hat and coat to the footman before being led to Bess’s parlour. He went in, and her face lit up as she held out a hand.

‘Darling,’ she murmured and lifted her face for a kiss. He obliged and squeezed her fingers. He sat in the chair that she indicated.

‘How can I be of service?’

‘I need to discuss something with you.’

Granville waited.

‘You know I love you. That I’ve always loved you,’ she said.

‘I do, my love. It was never in question.’

‘Right from that first time in Naples all those years ago.’

Granville smiled and nodded. ‘I remember it as if it were yesterday. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.’

Bess nodded, then pulled a face. ‘And now I’m old and fat.’

‘Don’t talk that way. You’ll always be my love.’

‘Bless you.’ She paused a moment, then firmed her chin and looked him in the eye. ‘It’s time you married.’

That took him by surprise. Once he’d gathered himself, he sighed and looked away. ‘I must confess I’ve been giving it some thought lately. I’m five and thirty and…’ He shrugged. It was true. It was something he’d only spoken recently about with his good friend, George Canning, as he grew envious of so many of his friends and acquaintances now happily settled.

‘You know I understand this, and I won’t be angry or upset if you marry, don’t you?’

He smiled at Bess. ‘Thank you, my love.’ It might be a long time since their passion had faded, but there was still so much between them. It was a difficult position from which to look for a wife.

‘I have a suggestion.’

He raised both brows and looked at her. ‘I sincerely hope you are not planning on playing matchmaker. That would be simply too much,’ he laughed, but his laughter faded when she simply looked at him.

‘Good lord, you’re serious?’

‘Lady Harriet. I think you should marry Lady Harriet.’

Granville stared. ‘Lady Harriet? You mean… Haryo?’

‘I do. I think you would be a splendid match.’

Granville laughed aloud. ‘Haryo can barely stand to be in the same room as me. I sincerely doubt she would have any truck with me paying court to her. She’d most likely tear me off several strips and hang me out to dry!’

‘Harriet is a complicated girl, not like the others. She feels things deeply but hides her feelings away. I’m sure it stems from the time that her mother was abroad, and she was left with that Trimmer woman. Unfortunately, she is terribly intelligent, refuses to hide it, and can be quite outspoken. Not an attractive trait for a young girl seeking a husband.’