by Dawn Brower
As much as she wanted Lucian to be her one and only, Angeline recognized the truth. She might love him, but that would never be enough. Her soul would die in a one-sided relationship. She couldn’t, and refused to, love enough for both of them. “I have no idea what Lucian is doing today. I am going to visit Emilia this afternoon.”
“That’s lovely,” her mother replied. “Perhaps I’ll join you. There are some things I’d like to discuss with Rubina. We have a lot of planning to do for this wedding. Now that it’s been officially announced, the banns will start to be read this Sunday.”
Angeline froze in the middle of spreading jam on her toast. “What?” She had to have heard her wrong. The announcement of her betrothal wasn’t supposed to be in The Times yet. Lucian had agreed to wait until November. It had taken a lot of bargaining with him on that point. They didn’t need a big wedding, and they could marry before Christmas—though she didn’t plan on letting things get that far. She’d hoped to end the betrothal before any real wedding plans were set in stone. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s in The Times,” her father said and patted the paper. “I sent in the notice a few days ago.”
At least she didn’t have to berate Lucian for going back on his word. Angeline managed to hold back a groan, but barely. Of course her father would take it upon himself to make the announcement. Lucian’s father and hers were ecstatic that their families would be joining in marriage. They would never have suggested it themselves; however, it was no secret they’d always hoped it would happen one day. Though Angeline thought a marriage between one of her brothers and Emilia far more likely than between her and Lucian. “Oh, how nice,” she managed to mutter. Though feigning any enthusiasm for it was lost on her. She couldn’t pretend to like it when she didn’t. The whole fiasco continued to grow worse with each day that passed.
She took a bite of her toast, but it had no taste. Whatever appetite she had left disappeared with the awful news her father had imparted. Angeline continued to eat it though. She’d need the energy to make it through the day.
He lifted a brow and held out the paper to her. “Would you like to read it?” her father asked.
She should peruse it and let it sink in, but she couldn’t make herself. “I trust you read correctly.”
Her father stood and set the paper beside her. “In case you change your mind.” He leaned down and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Have a good day, dear.” Then he left them alone in the dining room.
“Are you feeling well?” her mother asked. “You look a little peaked.”
Her stomach was rolling. Maybe she should abandon the idea of eating. “I’m fine.” She really wasn’t, but she didn’t think it prudent to explain the actual issue. “No need to worry about me.”
Maybe she should leave England. If she ran away before the marriage could be performed she might be able to avoid it forever. Surely Lucian wouldn’t come after her and force the issue. He couldn’t possibly want to marry her any more than she wanted to tie herself to him.
“Hmm,” her mother said. “I won’t push, but you do know you discuss anything with me? I’m here for you if you need me.”
“I do.” She didn’t want to explain any of it though. Her parents were so happy, and she hated disappointing them. “Honestly though, everything is wonderful. How can it not be?” Somehow, she managed to make her voice high enough to mimic happiness.
Her mother smiled softly and patted her hand. “Finish your breakfast. I’m going to the sitting room. Come fetch me when you’re ready to walk over to Huntly.” She stood and exited the room.
Something told her that her mother hadn’t believed a word she’d said. Angeline didn’t blame her. She hadn’t really tried to sound convincing, and she truly wished she was looking forward to her wedding. If only Lucian loved her…
Lucian strolled into his club. He expected the Marsden twins would be around, and he needed to speak with them. He’d tried their bachelor quarters first, but they hadn’t been in residence. They needed to have a conversation—one he’d been avoiding and now couldn’t. Angeline had asked to wait to make a formal announcement. At first, he’d been against the idea and had started to tell her no. Then he realized the reprieve it would give him. The twins were out of town, and he’d have time to impart the news in person. They had returned last night, and he still hadn’t found the opportunity to tell them about his engagement to their sister. He prayed they hadn’t read The Times. Lucian didn’t know who’d sent in the announcement, but it was messing with his plans.
“My lord,” the doorman greeted him. “Do you wish for me to take your coat?”
Lucian shrugged it off and handed it to him. “Is Andrew and Alexander Marsden here?”
“They arrived a few moments before you,” he replied. “They’re in the card room.”
Well, that was far better than the pugilist ring. This club had every aspect of sin available for a man. That was one of the reasons they’d all joined it when they’d reached their majority. If the twins were playing cards, they would be in a better mood—as long as they were winning. Though, to be fair, he doubted it was possible for either one of them to lose at anything. “Have a room readied for our use.”
“Very well,” he said with a nod and strolled off to do as Lucian bid.
He strolled into the room and scanned the area. The brothers were both seated in the back corner in the middle of a game. He couldn’t tell who the other two men were from the back of their heads, but both twins had huge grins on their faces. They were either winning or quite inebriated. Probably a little of both. Lucian headed toward them and grabbed a chair from a nearby table to join them.
“Luc,” Andrew called out jovially. “Didn’t know you planned on coming by the club today.”
Alexander tossed a card on the table. “Why wouldn’t he? It is his club too.”
Each of the players at the table tossed a card on the table. Lucian wished the game was over already. They progressed in the game as it started to come to a conclusion. The twins were taking most of the tricks. “I needed to speak to the two of you. Have you been here all night?”
“No reason to stop playing while we’re hot,” Andrew offered in reply. “But since we won this game, I suppose we can call it quits if you make it interesting.”
He doubted his news would go over well. Luckily, they’d been rusticating—by their father’s order. The viscount had sent his two sons off to the ancestral home to check the progress on some renovations he’d commissioned. Lucian believed it had been an excuse to send the twins away from the sin London offered to them. They were often tempted by the wickedest of things, and usually, Lucian followed behind them to get his own taste of what they discovered. His two friends believed in letting their little sister find her own way, but he doubted they’d be happy at the idea of her marrying him.
“There’s something you two need to know. Would you care to join me in a private room?” Usually those rooms were used for more intimate occasions, but he didn’t want to come to blows with them in a public manner. “I’ve already asked that one be opened for us.”
Andrew lifted a brow. “You’ve piqued my interest.”
Lucian wasn’t surprised. Andrew was the more risqué of the twins. He probably assumed Lucian had something of the decadent variety planned for them. He would be disappointed when he realized he really did just wish to discuss something with them. The twins were a lot alike in many ways, but if one of them could be described as more responsible it would be Alexander. He was the viscount’s heir and asked to do more with estate matters. Though Lord Torrington often made both of them learn what was involved. Mainly because separating the twins for anything proved difficult on a good day. The one thing they tended to do separately was bedding women, and sometimes, they even did that together. They resembled their father, with their blond hair and blue eyes. They were golden angels that led many women down a sinful path.
Alexander picked up his glass of brand
y and downed the contents. “Drew isn’t the only one curious. Lead the way.”
They all stood and walked toward the room that Lucian had procured. A waiter handed them a key, and Lucian unlocked the door. Andrew and Alexander strolled in and then dropped on to a nearby settee. Lucian took the chair a little distance away from them. They were both foxed, so that gave him a little more agility. He wasn’t an idiot though. Even drunk, they could be dangerous.
“What’s all the subterfuge about?” Alexander finally asked.
“Some things happened while you were out of town.” He still couldn’t believe how much had happened since the last time they’d been in each other’s company. “Angeline got involved with a suffragette group.”
“Did she now.” Andrew lifted a brow chuckled lightly. “Seems like something she would do.”
“Then she got arrested,” he supplied his annoyance barely in check. They had to see how dangerous that activity was. “Before that, she was trampled by a mob running from finding themselves in a similar situation.”
“I trust she’s well or father would have sent for us sooner.” Alexander shrugged. “What do you want us to do? Talking to her won’t do any good.”
Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose. His two friends would protect their sister if they needed to, but sometimes they were obtuse. How could they not be more worried about her? He would never have taken any of the news he’d imparted lightly if it had been his own sister. He’d want to do…something. He couldn’t be sure what, but at the very least he’d have wanted to check on Emilia to see if she was indeed all right. Lucian would have to do it for his own peace of mind, but they hadn’t even bothered to ask how she’d been extricated from jail. He’d have to come out and say it. Hopefully, they wouldn’t punch him first and ask questions later. He took a deep breath and told them, “Angeline and I are betrothed.”
Silence filled the room, and then it echoed with laugher. The twins laughed so hard they fell off the settee and hit the floor with a thud. That hadn’t exactly been the reaction he’d expected…
Chapter 7
Two weeks later…
The confines her house was stifling her. Angeline had to escape, even if it only for a short walk. Her parents kept asking her about what she wanted for her wedding, and she had nothing to offer them. She’d dreamed about one day falling in love and marrying…well, Lucian—but she’d never pictured it happening the way it had. Nothing about her situation seemed right.
She pushed open the door to her room and went down the stairs to the foyer. Once there she grabbed her dark green cloak off a nearby hook and donned it. She had the door open and exited the house before anyone noticed her leaving. At least, she hoped they hadn’t… Angeline hadn’t bothered to glance behind her during her mad dash from the house.
Angeline had no idea where she was heading. All she knew was she had to go somewhere, anywhere, that had nothing to do with planning a wedding. She kept moving without any direction in mind until she realized she’d walked into the main part of town. She stopped at the corner near Bond Street and considered her options. Maybe she could browse a few shops and buy something that might make her feel better—even if for a short time. Perhaps a new hat or even a dress... She crinkled up her nose at the idea of a new frock of any kind. Her mother would take that as encouragement to push her toward purchasing a wedding gown. She needed something a little less ceremonious… Her upcoming nuptials were not something to celebrate.
She glanced across the street toward the bookstore. That was a much better idea and a new novel would bring her both an escape; as well as, a touch of joy. Waterstones was her favorite bookseller. The store was large enough to carry a wide selection, but still held a cozy appeal to it. Angeline went toward Waterstones and headed inside the store. She pushed the door open and headed to the section of new arrivals. The owners, a pair of brothers, tried to keep abreast of new literature and stocked it whenever possible. As she crossed the aisle toward her destination, her foot caught on something and Angeline tumbled to the ground. She hit the floor with a thud, and pain shot through her left arm.
“Oh, dear,” a lady said. “That looked like a nasty fall. Are you all right?”
Angeline glanced up and met Lady Hannah Jones’s concerned gaze. Drat. She had to make a fool of herself in front of someone she’d started to admire the last time their paths had crossed. “Nothing to worry over.” Angeline smiled at her. Nothing compared to the pain of being trampled by ladies running from the authorities. “I’m not usually so clumsy.”
“I’m sure you’re not,” Lady Hannah agreed. “Where have you been lately? I haven’t noticed you at any of the meetings of late.”
She took a deep breath and came to her feet. Lady Hannah reached out and helped her steady herself when she wobbled backward. Angeline shouldn’t have tried to stand so fast on her own. It wasn’t her day, and everything seemed to be going wrong. Now she had to explain to Lady Hannah why she’d kept her distance from the Pankhursts’s group. “Um, well…” She nibbled on her bottom lip, at a loss for words. What in the world could she use as an explanation. She could mention she was about to marry, but she didn’t want to bring that into the conversation. Especially as she intended to find a way to avoid that inevitability… “After the march, I was injured and couldn’t leave home. There was an unfortunate incident. Someone knocked me to the ground and some of the ladies didn’t bother stepping over me in their haste.” Angeline hadn’t been truly injured, but it sounded plausible. She could have been seriously hurt. It was sheer luck that she hadn’t been, and instead, had found herself locked in the local jail.
“That is awful,” Lady Hannah said genuine concern echoed through her each word as she spoke. “I wish I’d known.”
“I’m all right, truly,” Angeline reassured her. She didn’t want Lady Hannah to ascertain the real reason she’d stayed away. Hopefully her excuse distracted her enough to divert her attention. “Nothing some rest and convalescence didn’t cure. How is everything going with the cause?”
Lady Hannah scrunched up her face a little bit. “The Pankhursts have strong opinions, as I’m sure you’re aware. I do believe in women’s rights, but I’m not so certain this group is for me. Will you be attending again?”
“Perhaps,” Angeline replied noncommittally. She couldn’t be certain what she would or would not do. Maybe she should visit the Pankhursts again. There had to be a way for her to be involved without participating in the marches and other public events. Once was enough to deter her from further activity on that front. It was too dangerous for her to be actively involved and she didn’t relish the idea of ever being trampled on again. Also, if Lucian ever discovered her participating in a march again he might do something even more drastic than force a betrothal between them. She didn’t know what, but she did believe it would prove awful. “I’ve not made a decision either way.”
“If you’re interested, there is a meeting later this afternoon. I will be leaving to attend after I leave here.” Her lips tilted upward into a welcoming smile. “You may accompany me if you wish.”
Lady Hannah meant well, but she didn’t understand what temptation she offered. Angeline was already having difficulties she couldn’t extricate herself from. If she attended another Pankhurst meeting, and her parents or Lucian discovered it… Her life would be come infinitely more unbearable. The engagement would be even more solidified and she’d have her parent’s disappointment to contend with.
“I’ll consider it,” Angeline offered. She didn’t know what else to say. “If you’ll pardon me, I wish to see what new selections Waterstones have to offer. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to peruse their wares.”
Angeline didn’t give her a chance to respond as she headed directly toward the shelves she’d originally intended to look over. She picked up a book randomly, not really reading the title or author, and flipped it open.
“H.G. Wells?” a female said with a questioning tone. “I d
idn’t realize you read his work. You don’t find it…odd?”
Angeline glanced up and met her friend’s gaze. She had been so preoccupied she didn’t notice her surroundings. How long had Emilia been standing beside her? She had no excuse either. She hadn’t expected to find anyone she was acquainted with in the store. Perhaps it was a good thing. She’d wanted to visit Emilia, but had no desire to discuss her upcoming nuptials to Lucian with her. Emilia would be excited about the wedding and Angeline couldn’t muster up even the smallest bit of happiness regarding the situation.
The book in her hands hadn’t held her attention. Not that she’d read much of it, or well, any of it…She in fact, had no idea what she held. She looked down at the novel and read the title—In the Days of the Comet. Angeline shrugged and then closed it. “I don’t know; he has some interesting ideas. You should consider reading it.”
“Oh, I have,” she said. “Well not this one, but some of his other works. But I enjoy a bit of science in my fiction. I find it fascinating. I considered this one earlier but I wanted something a little different or well, dramatic to read.” Emilia shook her head. “You are more of a romantic, and H.G. Wells is not your normal fare.” She glanced at the selections and plucked a novel from the shelf. “This one would be more to your liking.”
Angeline read the title aloud, “Beyond the Rocks by Elinor Glyn.” She took the book from Emilia. “Why do you believe I’ll like this one?”
Lady Hannah stepped beside them. “Oh, that one is quite romantic.” Angeline hadn’t realized that she’d followed. “It has some melancholy moments, but in the end, it’s quite the love story.”
Did everyone believe she was so frivolous? Why couldn’t she enjoy H.G. Well’s work? She wasn’t stupid, and could understand the science he weaved into his tale. Angeline crinkled her nose at the romance novel. It was the last thing she needed with her own romantic life in an upheaval. Well, she had no romantic life, if she were to be honest with herself. All Lucian seemed to do was dictate to her on a regular basis. There was no love for her.