She regarded her sister in abject misery. She sniffed against incipient tears, determined to prevent their falling. “Are you sure?” Gwen asked tonelessly. “Absolutely sure?” Jenny nodded, a tear escaping to slide down her pale cheek. “I have missed my monthly twice. You know I’ve never missed one before.” “And you only just now realized?” Jenny nodded. “Dear God, what will we do? You can’t have a…bastard. Father will kill us both.” “I don’t know what to do.” Gwen threw her hands up in dismay. “I don’t know what to tell you either! You will have to confess to Father.” She bit her lip, distressed. “I just hope Con doesn’t find out.” Once again meeting her sister’s eye, she asked, “Who is the father? No, wait, I know. It’s Dare. How could he?” Jenny’s expression turned wry. “Can you blame him when I offered myself so freely? He is not to blame.” “Of course he is, you ninny! He is the gentleman; he should have shown some restraint.”
