Page 62 of The Heir
“She wanted me to see Sir John and Mr. Rea together. I am sure of it,” Victoria concluded.
“But why would she?”
“She knows something about Sir John. She knows he has some closer connection to both Dr. Maton and Mr. Rea.”
Jane didn’t answer. But her face twisted tight.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” said Jane quickly, and Victoria rolled her eyes.
“It is something. You thought of something or remembered something. What is it?”
“It’s . . . it’s not something we talk about.”
“We?”
“The family. My family.” She paused. “My father.”
“Something to do with Dr. Maton?”
“Something he might have known about my mother.” She stopped. “And your father.”
“What?” Victoria cried. Lehzen and Lady Flora both came to attention. Victoria blanched. She also swatted playfully at Jane’s hands. “Oh, Jane! You ridiculous thing!” She laughed.
Jane ducked her head, as if hiding a blush.
“I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s nothing. A delusion, a lie. I’m not sure which, but it has to be—”
“Jane Conroy. Stop it.”
Jane shut her mouth.
“Now. You’ve already gone too far,” whispered Victoria harshly. “Tell me what it is you’re talking about.”
“My father,” said Jane. “He says my mother is . . .”
“What is she?”
“A natural daughter. Of your . . . of the late Duke of Kent.”
“That is not true,” said Victoria, her voice flat, cold, and hard. “That cannot possibly be true.”
You will acknowledge that we are bound together . . .
“I only know it’s what he says,” Jane told her miserably.
“He is a liar!”
“Ma’am?” Lehzen came closer. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” said Victoria. “Nothing.”
Lehzen retreated. Victoria sat very still. She stared out, seeing nothing. Or, perhaps, everything.
“I don’t think it’s true,” Jane said. “I think it’s just something he says to us, so that we would agree to come and be your ladies . . .”
“And to spy for him,” said Victoria through clenched teeth.
