Aunt Margery saw her confusion and gently explained the harsh, rigid realities of their world.
"You are a beautiful, intelligent woman, Delaney," Aunt Margery replied softly. "But you currently reside in this house as a paid employee. The rules of polite society are very strict, and very cruel. If Rowan begins to pursue you while you live under his roof and eat his food, the Ton will not see it as a beautiful love story."
Aunt Margery paused, making sure Delaney understood the danger.
"They will call you his mistress," Aunt Margery said bluntly. "They will say he took advantage of his hired help. It would create an ugly, dirty scandal that would completely ruin your reputation before you even had a chance to reclaim your father's noble name."
Delaney swallowed hard, realizing the older woman was absolutely correct. The gossips of London would destroy them.
