The Stepsister's Triumph Read Online Free PDF Page A

aloof and unbending. “And there’s another problem.” Adele wasn’t looking at Helene anymore. She was watching Madelene. and Madelene felt her cheeks burn. “Lord Benedict’s first wife.”
    Wife? He’s
married
?
Madelene’s hands clenched tightly.
No, no, she said first wife. He must be a widower.
    â€œDoes anybody even remember that business?” Helene frowned, her brows pulling together in an attitude that would have had Madelene’s stepmother scolding her for a week.
    â€œYes,” said Adele. “I heard plenty of whispers about it during the exhibition.”
    â€œWhat . . . what happened to his first wife?” asked Madelene.
    â€œOh, it was horrible,” said Adele. “She was the toast of society for a while. Beautiful, young, exotic. Italian—either a countess or an opera singer, no one seemed to be sure which it really was. He painted all sorts of pictures of her, and they were famous together. The artist and his muse. Then . . . well, she died, very suddenly. There were rumors that she was poisoned and that . . .”
    â€œNo,” Madelene cut her off. “You’re going to say Lord Benedict was suspected, and that’s not possible. He wouldn’t do such a terrible thing.”
    Now they were all staring at her, and Madelene waited for the familiar shrinking and shriveling inside. But it didn’t come. She would not believe that the man who stood beside her today, who had spoken to her with such sympathy, could have harmed his wife, and she would not let anyone, even Adele, say he had.
    Adele’s eyebrows arched. “My brother agrees, but you know how people talk, and how they love to believe the worst.”
    â€œIf we make him our exceptional guest, he might frighten off as many matrons as he’d lure in,” added Helene crossly.
    â€œIt’s not fair,” Madelene said.
    â€œNo,” agreed Miss Sewell. “But it is reality, and you cannot ignore it. It also touches on a point I meant to raise with you all.”
    â€œWhat?” demanded Helene, flipping furiously through her book. “Have I missed something?”
    â€œDespite your recent social strides, you girls are still unknown quantities. When we give out our invitations, the matrons will be scrutinizing your behavior to decide if they should accept on behalf of their daughters. Until then, you will need to tread with extra caution. One breath, one hint of scandal, and they will have their excuse to stay away in droves.”
    Adele’s hand strayed to the gold chain she always wore about her neck. None of them were supposed to know, but on the end hung the ring James Beauclaire had given her before he went to join his father in Paris. Helene also was looking unusually ill at ease. Helene recently had a most uncomfortable and uncharacteristically dramatic encounter with the Marquis of Broadheathe, to whom she’d once been engaged.
    But Madelene was sure Miss Sewell wasn’t talking about either of them. Miss Sewell was talking to her, warning her about what had happened in the gallery. She was saying there could not be another such incident.
    Not that there was any chance of it, Madelene told herself. She was hardly likely to encounter Lord Benedict again. They didn’t move in anything like the same circles.
    â€œYou are right, of course, Miss Sewell. We will all need to be extra cautious.” Helene picked up her pencil and made some additional notes. “It occurs to me that we wouldn’t need Lord Benedict himself to come to the party if we had a new painting of his to exhibit.”
    â€œAn unveiling would make a fine point of interest and amusement,” agreed Miss Sewell. “Lord Benedict has always been known for his portrayal of classical subjects. If he could be persuaded to paint one of you in the classical style, it would raise a great deal of excitement.”
    Madelene