Pretentious Hearts

by M J Schlotter

  “Yes, but Robert is not there. I saw him ride off this morning.” Jocelyn pouted.

  “True,” Emma agreed, “He is not at breakfast, but that does not mean you can’t enjoy our company now does it?”

  “No,” Jocelyn agreed grudgingly, “I will come and join you.” She rose sulkily from the bed and moved towards the door.

  “I brought this for you, it came this morning from England,” Emma spoke extending the letter.

  “Oh!” Jocelyn’s eyes lit up. “It must be from Aunt Margaret.” She hastily tore open the envelope and began scanning its contents letting out a squeal of delight.

  “What? What is it?” Emma exclaimed.

  “Aunt Margaret writes: Dearest Jocelyn, Of course we may put our old disagreement to rest. What wonderful news of your engagement to Lord Clifton! I am..”

  “What!” Emma blurted. “Did you say engaged?”

  “Yes,” Jocelyn continued unabashed, “Aunt Margaret continues…”

  ​“Wait a minute,” Emma interrupted, “Jocelyn, you are not engaged to Lord Clifton. Why does your aunt write that you are?”

  “Oh, don’t be so naive,” Jocelyn spoke shaking her head, “It is clear Robert adores me, it’s only a matter of time before he proposes. I have merely announced what’s going to happen. Aunt Margaret is wonderful! Look what she had written up for me and has included!” She exclaimed excitedly, thrusting Emma a newspaper clipping.

  Emma read the announcement aloud, “Lord Robert Henry Clifton, esteemed politician and one of England’s most eligible bachelors, and the glamorous leader of fashion and society, Lady Jocelyn Eleanor Shelby, betrothed! Wedding details are sure to follow soon, but it is undoubtedly going to be the event of the season! ”

  Emma’s mind was swirling.“Jocelyn,” she finally remarked, “This is not right. What is Lord Clifton going to say when he sees this?”

  “Emma, I thought you were my friend.” Jocelyn frowned.

  “Of course I am your friend Jocelyn, it’s just…”

  “It’s only in the society section, by the time Robert hears about it or even sees it, we will be engaged and it won’t even matter that it was announced prior. Now, this is just going to be between us girls correct?” Jocelyn inquired as if it were merely a formality.

  Emma held Jocelyn’s gaze. She did not agree with what Jocelyn had done, it was not at all right, but still, Lady Shelby was her friend. Her conscious was being divided. “It is not my place to tell Robert,” she finally spoke, “but Jocelyn, you should.”

  “Thank you, thank you so much!” Jocelyn smiled coyly as she hugged Emma, “I knew you were a good friend. I will inform Robert when I believe it to be the right time.”

  As Emma and Jocelyn left the bedroom and made their way back downstairs to breakfast, Emma could not stop feeling like she had wronged Lord Clifton by agreeing to keep Jocelyn’s secret. Was she then guilty of fraud by association? If, Emma thought, Jocelyn did not share her deception with Lord Clifton before they returned to London, she would confide in Captain Wesley to see how best to broach the subject again with Jocelyn. Feeling slightly better with her decision, Emma allowed herself to be steered down the steps by Jocelyn, and listened politely as she cheerfully chattered about the parties she was going to have back in London when she and Robert returned.

  Chapter 28

  ​After last night’s encounter in the barn, Robert had been up all night. Now, riding his horse into town, he knew exactly what he must do. He had left a note for his guests explaining he had some business to attend to in town and now, catching sight of Mr. Riley’s mercantile, he felt the smile spreading across his face.

  ​“Lord Clifton, I must say it’s a surprise to see ya this morn’in. Is your stay at Kerney Hall satisfactory?” Mr. Riley inquired.

  ​“Yes, Mr. Riley, everything is perfect,” Robert replied removing his bowler and laying it on the counter.

  ​“What can I do for ya then?” The portly man smiled.

  ​“I would like to act upon my right in the contract to purchase the hall. Can you inquire what price the owners will accept? There is just something about Kerney Hall...maybe it’s the cooking,” Robert chuckled, knowing that Katie had written him a new recipe for life. Katie, he thought, fit the place like a glove!

  Seeing Lord Clifton’s expression, Mr. Riley was pretty sure it was not just the cooking at Kerney Hall that had entranced its renter. He only hoped, for Lord Clifton’s sake, that Mr. O’Connor did not put two and two together.

  “Well,” Mr. Riley spoke biting his lip, he had been so sure Lord Clifton would not invoke his power. “I’m not so sure the owner will sell. Ya see…”

  “The contract includes a purchasing clause. I am well within my right.” Robert interrupted.

  “Yes, well,” Mr. Riley replied cautiously. “Even though I’m sure he could use the money, the fact is Mr. O’Connor is a rather proud man. Renting the hall was hard enough.”

  Mr. O’Connor...O’Connor...Robert had forgotten that was the surname of Kerny Hall’s owner. How could he have missed such a pertinent aspect of information? He and his friends were all in danger! He had rented the blooming house of one of the I.R.A. sabotagers he’d seen at the pub!

  “I see,” Robert spoke, “Let us just forget I inquired. Good day.” He nodded picking up his hat and placing it back on his head.

  ​Mr. Riley stared open mouthed as Lord Clifton walked out the door. Could it be possible that the bully had feelings? He never would have thought he would have seen the man who had appeared to have always gotten what he wanted not put up a fight.

  ​As Robert left the store still shaken by the information he had just acquired, he caught the scent of a delicious aroma. It smelled like the blackberry pie Katie had recently served. Walking along the sidewalk, he found Finnegan’s Bakery to be the source, and pushing the door open, stepped inside. The soft jingle of a bell chimed as the door shut behind him, and walking towards the counter he saw a man with strawberry-blonde hair following a woman out from the back of the shop.

  ​“Good morn’in sir. You must be new around here.” The women spoke kindly, her light Irish accent twirling around her words. “I’m Mrs. Finnegan baker extraordinaire,” she beamed, “and this is me nephew Michael Shannon.”

  ​Robert looked at the young man wearing a nicely tailored suit. Michael Shannon was a chameleon of a man! No matter what he wore, Robert thought icily, it would not change the type of man he was. Not wishing to make a scene, Robert acknowledge Mr. Shannon with a curt nod then turned to Mrs. Finnegan and remarked, “I’m Robert Clifton. I must say that éclair looks delicious, I think I’ll have to get one. Make that four.”

  ​“Now, with a name like that, I’m guess’in you’re not Irish,” Mrs. Finnegan remarked placing the éclairs in a box.

  ​“Yes, you’re right,” Robert replied paying for his pastries, “I’m renting Kerney Hall for the summer.”

  ​“So, you’re the English chap who’s rent’in Katie’s home,” Mrs. Finnegan spoke.

  ​Robert stared at her. “What do you mean Katie’s home?”

  ​“She means your cook, Katie O’Connor, is working in her own house,” Michael scoffed, “Aunt Nora, do you mind leaving us for a moment?” Mrs. Finnegan nodded sensing the tension between the two gentlemen and went into the kitchen.

  ​The words knocked the wind out of Robert. If he’d have known…he’d never have allowed her…O’Connor? It was like a bomb had exploded! His ears seemed to be ringing. Katie was indeed working with one of the members of the I.R.A...her own father! But this realization, despite that it should be, was not the biggest shock. Robert was more concerned with the knowledge that Michael Shannon knew Katie intimately enough to know such delicate information about her. Like so many others, Katie it seemed had been lured into this gentleman’s confidence!

  Michael, reading Robert’s thoughts, snickered. “By the looks of it, Lord Clifton, it appears you have fallen completely for Katie’s intrica
te charade. She has been confiding in me how she has found it entertaining to appear to pursue you, whilst all along, she has merely had the intention of breaking your sorry heart.”

  Robert felt the anger boiling within him. Last night in the barn had evidently meant nothing! Kissing him had either been some vindictive way of getting back at the man who was renting her house; the man who had in a fight of jealousy forbade her from seeing Michael Shannon, or it had been a way to keep him close for whatever purpose the I.R.A. had in mind! It was all some farse! Some way to torture him like she herself was being tortured by having to work in her own home! Robert felt the blood rising in his cheeks. He had been duped, made a patsy!

  “I see why you fell for her so easily,” Michael chuckled. “She is intriguing. Her lips are rather soft too,” He smirked, his eyes glinting.”Tell me, have you kissed her too?”

  Robert’s civility had been pushed to its limit. “And what about Anna Pruitt? I’m assuming you two are no longer married.”

  “You never have been one to mind your own business have you?” Michael remarked, his eyes glinting, “After all this time, I would have thought you would have let bygones be bygones.”

  “I’m assuming your lack of a forward answer implies you are still matrimonially engaged.” Robert uttered.

  “Anna and I have come to an arrangement. She no longer asks questions, and Katie does not appear to mind.” Michael spat.

  ​Robert had heard enough.“Thank you for the éclairs Mrs. Finnegan.” he spoke, hoping it was loud enough for the woman to hear in the kitchen. Then forcing his words to remain level he added, “I hope the two of you will be happy since it appears you have very much in common!”

  ​As he stormed from the shop, Mrs. Finnegan appeared and turned to her nephew, “Now what was that all about?”

  ​“I have no idea,” Michael replied trying to look bewildered, “he is English though, and I’ve heard they enjoy being melodramatic.”

  ​Mrs. Finnegan shook her head then set to work on adding to the muffins she had noticed were getting rather low.

  ​Outside Robert walked blindly towards his horse. How could he have been so obtuse?

  ​“Hey, watch where ya go’in!” a voice yelled.

  ​Shaken from his ranting, Robert looked up, “Sorry,” he remarked then proceeded on his way.

  ​“Hold it,” the stranger spoke grabbing him by the arm, “just where are ya off to in such a hurry Brit?”

  ​Shaking his arm lose, Robert stared at the man who was barring his path. “You will refrain your distance.” he spoke.

  ​“You’re on my turf English,” The sandy-haired man spoke, his hazel eyes glinting.

  ​“Just what are you insinuating?” Robert uttered. His day which had started out in such high spirits was quickly spiraling into a nightmare, and he did not need some politically agitated Irishman to add to its destruction, he was doing a damn good job of destroying it all on his own.

  ​“I’m say’in,” the stranger remarked his words hostile, “get your British arse out of Carlingford, or ya’ll be sorry.”

  ​What the hell Robert thought, he might as well go down with style. “And who’s going to make me sorry? Certainly not an idiot like you.”

  ​“Ian McAllen,” the man sneered, giving Robert a slight shove, “is who. And I’ve been wait’in for this moment ever since I saw ya ride’in my girl’s bicycle.”

  ​His girl’s bicycle? Robert stared at the man in front of him. He was the man from the port, the man who had been spouting off in the pub! This man had to be one of Katie’s fellow compatriots! Just how many gentlemen did Katie entertain? Robert had had enough.

  “Well, Mr. McAllen, you won’t have to worry about me staying any longer in Carlingford but,” Robert spoke his voice filled with authority, “I shall be leaving on my own accord.” Then sidestepping McAllen, he mounted his horse and galloped out of town.

  ​Ian watched Robert disappearing down the road, his suspicions about the letter writer now confirmed. No one spoke to him like that, least of all some British pig! He would make him pay! Today was a good day for a spy to meet his death!

  Chapter 29

  ​“I wonder what sort of business Robert needed to attend to,” Charles remarked drawing a card from the deck.

  “Maybe,” Lady Shelby suggested laying down a straight, “He has finally come to his senses and is booking passage back to England. I must say,” she continued pushing a strand of shimmery blonde hair behind her ear, “I don’t see why he finds Ireland so appealing in comparison to English society.”

  “The countryside is rather nice,” Emma remarked taking a card, “It’s been a good break from the busyness of London, although there are aspects of the city which I do miss.”

  As Katie walked out with a pitcher of lemonade, the hunch Charles had been harboring was confirmed. Katie was, after all, quite attractive. It made perfect sense why Robert was not inclined to return to England just yet. He had seen the way Robert gazed at her when he thought no one was looking. But did she feel the same way about him? He knew that Jocelyn found Robert attractive, having her accompany him to try and entice Robert back to England had after all been part of his plan. But even though his friend was rather handsome, Charles was confidant Lady Shelby only found him appealing because of his title, large estate, and political career. As his friend, Charles did not care if Robert broke social order by courting a cook. He himself, after all, was not a member of nobility, and before the war would most likely not have conversed with the upper aristocracy. Times were changing, and Charles found himself in favor of this modern rendition of Cinderella.

  “Well, Jocelyn,” Charles remarked taking a sip of the lemonade Katie set beside him, “I do believe you have given Emma and myself a royal thrashing!”

  Smiling, Jocelyn shuffled the deck, “It’s what you call talent darling, you either have it or you don’t.”

  Charles lit a cigarette, and leaning back in his chair blew a puff of smoke, “Well my dear, by all means prove to me it’s not just beginners luck!” he chuckled.

  As Katie left the patio, she was pretty sure that Lady Shelby once again had the upper hand.

  “Ah, Katie,” Mr. Dearing spoke catching sight of her, “a telegram just arrived for you. I hope,” he continued, “that you will not make it a habit to accept personal messages during the remaining duration of your employment.”

  “Thank you Mr. Dearing,” Katie replied taking the folded paper, “I won’t make a habit of it.” She added wondering who would have sent her a telegram.

  “Excellent!” Mr. Dearing replied with satisfaction, “Oh, and Mrs. Sparrow would like to see you in the kitchen.” he remarked before leaving for the patio.

  With Mr. Dearing gone, Katie hastily unfolded the telegram and read:

  Urgent stop need to talk stop meet me by the stables at eight o’clock Michael stop.

  Katie read the telegram over again her brain whirling as her eyes scanned the paper. What on earth? What could possibly be so urgent that Mr. Shannon could not allow himself to write it in his message? Folding the telegram, she shoved it into her apron pocket. There was nothing she could do until eight, so she best forget about it till then and go and see what Mrs. Sparrow needed. When she found the housekeeper, she was surprised by the motherly expression on her face.

  “Please sit down dear,” Mrs. Sparrow spoke gesturing towards a stool.

  Katie walked hesitantly forward and took a seat, “Is everything okay Mrs. Sparrow?” she inquired as the housekeeper took the seat across from her.

  Mrs. Sparrow did not answer her question, instead she spoke. “You are a fabulous cook.” Seeing Katie smile she wished she did not have to say anything else, but sighing she forced herself to continue, “Lord Clifton has just returned from town and requested that I thank you for your service.”

  Katie’s smile faltered, and taking a breath Mrs. Sparrow continued, “I must regretfully inform you that after today, Lord Clifton no l
onger requires your service.”

  Katie forced herself to stay composed. After staring deep into her eyes, kissing her, and pulling her into his arms, Robert did not want to see her anymore! He did not love her! He wanted to get rid of her! He wanted to fire her now for a second time!

  “You will, however, be paid quite handsomely for your early termination.” Mrs. Sparrow spoke, but Katie did not hear her words.

  Shaking her head in disbelief, Katie willed with all her might that everything she had heard would turn out to be some twisted joke, but a searing pain throbbing within her chest confirmed to her the truth. When Mrs. Sparrow left, Katie remained seated, her body trembling in silent agony.

  Robert had arrived back at Kerney Hall in better spirits, but was still fuming over his foolishness. He saw Katie now for what she really was he thought bitterly, a siren who led men to their deaths on jagged rocks of inner agony! It infuriated him that he had merely been a pawn in her scheme and the butt of Katie and Michael Shannon’s jokes! And then, there was that McIan, McOwn or Mcwhatever his name was who had the audacity to threaten him! As he entered the hall, Robert half-hoped he would run into Katie so that he could berate her by informing her that the jig was up! But seeing Mrs. Sparrow instead, he decided to rise above his anger and take the gentleman’s approach. That had been an hour ago, Robert recalled, drinking a bottle of Cognac on the veranda with Charles while Emma and Jocelyn played cards inside. Tomorrow, he thought, draining another glass, he would never have to lay eyes on that beautiful charade again!

  “Robert, are you alright?” Charles asked watching his friend pour himself another glass.

  “I’m fine,” Robert uttered draining the liquor.

  “Look, I think you’ve had enough, how about we go back inside?”

  “You go ahead,” Robert muttered, “I feel like staying out here a bit longer.”

  Patting Robert on the shoulder, Charles returned inside recognizing the signs of a man needing to be alone and wrapped in his own thoughts. As it drew nearer to supper, Charles and Emma ventured out to the patio to rescue Robert from his sorrows.