Beyond Rubies (Daughters of Sin Book 4) by Beverley Oakley Page B

That could be a useful proposition. It wouldn’t help when the babe came early and there was only one, but she could, for the moment at any rate, plead two. Yes, she’d plant the seed in the physician’s mind. And her husband’s.
    Araminta patted her belly thoughtfully, crooking her finger at Jane to bring her the evening gown she intended to wear. “Yes, that’s what Dr. Horne believes, isn’t it, Jane? Debenham will be so pleased.”
    Hetty stepped back as her sister raised her arms and Jane drew the handsome, dark red confection of embroidered netting over Araminta’s head. “How are you, Jane?” she asked. “I missed having you to attend to me during our wedding tour, but I thought Araminta needed you more than me. She was so upset when I left, and you’re such a calming person.”
    Araminta glared. She’d not thought Hetty would dare to bring up the topic of the evening Hetty had eloped with Sir Aubrey—the gentleman Araminta had in her sights and who’d given her every indication that he’d make her his bride. But there was Hetty, smiling as if she were making perfectly normal conversation. Had the girl lost her mind?
    Jane bobbed a curtsy. “I’m well, ma’am, thank yer fer askin’. An’ Miss Araminta ‘as bin very kind, as is ‘er way.”
    Araminta narrowed her eyes. Was she imagining the look she intercepted between the women? The secretive, colluding smile. She wished she could bang both their heads together, dismiss Jane, and scream at Hetty that she was a thief, and Araminta wanted nothing to do with her ever again.
    Instead, she said, sweetly, “Jane knows how cherished she is. Debenham can be an exacting husband. Unlike you, Hetty, I didn’t make the match of my heart.”
    “But you made it quite plain that expediency was more important. And Lord Debenham has all the attributes you were looking for, Araminta.” Suddenly, Hetty looked concerned. “He is kind to you, isn’t he, Araminta? I mean, he wasn’t very kind to me but then...”
    She broke off, obviously thinking of that terrible night at Vauxhall when Hetty had stolen the letter from Lord Debenham with which she intended to win Sir Aubrey’s heart, and had found herself with a broken bottle at her throat. Araminta thought it was best to clear the air. “Debenham was bosky when he treated you with such disrespect. You knew you were playing with fire when you confronted him with what was bound to make him behave in a most aggressive fashion. You’re so thoughtless, Hetty. Always rushing into things you know nothing about.”
    “I can forgive him only if I know he is good to you, Araminta.”
    Araminta brushed off her sister’s hand. “Do stop prying into the secrets of my marriage, Hetty. And please go downstairs so I can finish dressing.” She put her hand to her forehead. She didn’t want to put Hetty offside. She might need her one day, too, and even though she despised her sister for being such a peagoose, as well as a thief, she thought a more ameliorating tone was in order. “Forgive me for being a cross patch.”
    “Oh, I’ve always forgiven you that, Araminta. But tell me, dearest—and I’m not trying to pry, you must believe—but you are happy, aren’t you? I mean, you’re going to have a baby !” And she hugged herself with joy.
    “I don’t know ‘ow yer can look yer sister in the face,” Jane muttered when Hetty had left the room.
    Araminta, now sitting at her dressing table and putting on the ruby and diamond earrings her husband had given her upon their marriage, raised her eyebrows. “I don’t understand you, Jane.”
    Jane bent to pick up a discarded shoe. “I don’t know ‘ow yer can face yer sister after what yer done. Whose babe is it yer carryin’?” Her voice was so soft Araminta could barely hear her. Perhaps Jane hadn’t intended her to, but Araminta was riled, nevertheless.
    “How dare you even suggest it’s any other than whose it should be,” she returned on a venomous