“It was more than flirting,” Rosalind said, already breaking her promise to leave the talking to Reid.
“Can you prove it?”
“We came over because the rumors have spread from Douglass forcing his attentions on housemaids to something far different,” his mother interjected. “As much as it pains me to admit, it seems his behavior has finally crossed the line.”
“Which line is that?” Mr. Sloane asked.
Reid sat down and looked directly at the man he’d once called his best friend. “A young lady of good quality informed me last night that you, Douglass, violated her.”
Before his parents could shrug off Reid’s statement as outlandish, Douglass leaned forward. “And when did this violation happen?”
“At the gala held last night in the McCormick mansion.” He paused, then added succinctly, “In one of the empty rooms.”
“I have no idea why this ‘woman’ would say such a thing,” Douglass scoffed. “Anyway, it’s only my word against hers.”
Reid held his temper in check . . . barely. “I saw the bruises around her neck, Douglass. I also believe her.”
“If you believe her, then you’re a fool.”
“What does she want?” Veronica interjected, her voice sounding like it was on the verge of breaking. “I still don’t see why her misfortune concerns you. I know of no lady who would dare make such accusations aloud, even if they were true.”
Reid’s mother leaned forward. “It has been my experience, Miss Sloane, that most women are afraid to admit such things occur because they fear they will be blamed.”
“Perhaps that is because they should be blamed,” Mrs. Sloane said with a sniff. “I don’t mean to disparage this, uh, lady, but if what she says is true, then she must have put herself in a bad situation.” Brushing a nonexistent crumb off her skirts, she added, “Not all women take as much care with their reputation as they should.”
“This lady is of the highest tier in our social circle. Furthermore, she did nothing wrong. Nothing.”
Yawning rudely, Douglass leaned back, folding one leg over the other. “Again, I am mystified as to why you are here. If she is so perturbed about my supposed vicious attack, then I would have thought she would want to be here,” he drawled.
Mr. Sloane was looking slightly pale. “Carlotta, did you speak to this woman?”
“I did, Clayton. I also have seen her bruises. She was badly injured.”
“Why are you here, Reid?” Douglass demanded, his face ruddy with anger. “No matter what happened, it doesn’t concern you.”
“I am here because I can’t let this incident be overlooked,” Reid said quietly. “She is a lady of quality, a lady of much esteem. And you, Douglass, have ruined her. That is unforgivable. It is unforgivable for any woman to be violated.”
A muscle twitched in Douglass’s jaw, but that was the only indication that he took any of Reid’s accusations seriously. “I’d like to see her try to blacken my name.” He looked around at his family. Glanced at his mother. Stared hard at Reid. “I’m a Sloane. That name carries a significant amount of weight in some circles. In most circles.” He raised a brow and stared meaningfully at Reid. “Or have you forgotten?”
“I haven’t forgotten anything,” Reid retorted. But this time, he didn’t back down. He stared hard at Douglass. “If you are referring to the way you lied for me back in boarding school, I believe I can safely assure you that that debt has been repaid. Tenfold.”
For the first time, Douglass looked a bit nervous. He pulled out an immaculate handkerchief and wiped his brow.
Veronica paled. “This woman, will she be all right? And does anyone else know about what happened to her?”
“I don’t believe anyone else knows. As for her future? I’m afraid I do not know that answer.”
She leaned forward. “Mr. Armstrong, who was it?”
“You know I cannot divulge that information, Veronica,” he said gently. “Once more, I think you know why.”
Veronica’s eyes widened. “Why would you say that?”
Reid looked around the room, feeling as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. As each face stared back at him, in various stages of anger, disbelief, and pain, he knew he had made the right decision.
This was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but it was a choice he would never regret.
“You and I both know that this has happened before to other ladies of quality, and the reputation of any woman he violated would be ruined as well if what happened became known.”