by Lisa Doughty
If it weren’t for Emelia and Roddy, she would have broken under the weight of it all months ago. Emelia’s gentle demeanor was in stark contrast to Roddy’s jubilant and colorful one. She thanked God every day for bringing Roddy into her life. Had Emelia been unable to convince the Earl that the wardrobe Ruby had approved for her was much too matronly for what he was trying to accomplish, they would have never met him. It was on their return trip to London that they had met Roddy.
Madam Florentine was beyond irritated with her young apprentice at the fitting. He talked under his breath at her every recommendation.
“If you want her to look like a mule!” he mumbled, at her suggestion of a bustle. “If you wish to relive last year’s fashion!” he said through the pins in his teeth, at adding a lace collar.
It wasn’t long before Cordelia and Emelia realized that Roddy had a real talent for fashion. When both women started asking his opinion, Lady Florentine dismissed him. Cordelia took a leap of faith and offered him a permanent position on her staff. The Earl hardly noticed Roddy’s presence at Middleton. When he first discovered the male attendant, he was enraged. That is until he saw that Roddy was a puffer, and a flaming one at that.
Emelia used her considerable charm on her brother and convinced the Earl to keep Roddy on to redress the staff at a less than half the cost. She explained that they couldn’t impress the elite with servants in old and worn uniforms. In the end, the Earl was more than pleased with the changes that Roddy made. He stretched every schilling to its fullest, even using the left-over material to reupholster the furniture in the parlor and make new pillows at no extra cost. Anyone who pinched a schilling could ingratiate themselves to the Earl.
They had formed a family of sorts, looking out for each other. Emelia often ran interference with the Earl for her. The Earl seemed more and more agitated with every passing day. Cordelia knew her time was running out with the Earl. He would call for her anytime now, and he expected her to be worth every penny he had spent on her.
Thank the heavens for Roddy. One way or the other, he made them laugh daily, but none more than when he talked about his dreams. Cordelia knew he wished to ease her apprehension for the upcoming evening. It was to be her first soiree with the ton. It was a simple gathering at the Weixel’s. It was a test, one she had to pass or face the consequences with the Earl.
“I wish to be a famous fashion designer. The great Rodrigo.” He waved his hands flamboyantly as he bowed. “If only I had an Italian accent. Or could be proficient at faking one a least. Oh, si, Bella, Bella!” He kissed his fingers and flipped them in the air. “The foreigners always become famous first.”
“Your designs speak for themselves, Rodrigo. Have faith in them. Look how stunning Cordelia looks!” Emelia stated with enthusiasm.
“Thank you, but the true test will be dressing someone who doesn’t have an unfair advantage to begin with!” Roddy exclaimed.
“What unfair advantage?” Cordelia asked, confused.
“Oh please! Those blue eyes and pretty face will render any man speechless. Now that Emelia has taught you how to use them to your advantage, no one will give one whit of notice to my gown,” he pouted.
“Do not be ridiculous, Roddy. What an idiotic thing to say! I am so nervous I probably will not be able to form a single coherent sentence all evening. I do not have any skill when it comes to talking with boys, much less men!” she proclaimed. “They will think me a simpleton in a beautiful dress.”
“You need something, something to hide behind if you become overwhelmed,” Emelia said, tapping her lip with her finger as she thought out loud.
“A fan?” Roddy suggested.
“Too obvious, plus she has never worked with one. It takes practice to perfect.”
“How about a handheld mask, one on a long stick?” Cordelia suggested. They both looked at her as if she were daft.
“And cover your best asset? I think not,” Emelia cried. “Besides, it would be inappropriate unless it was a masquerade ball.”
“There has to be something!” Cordelia said, beginning to panic.
“I have it!” Roddy exclaimed, and bolted into the other room.
“Good lord, Emelia. I do not think I can do this. The Earl expects me to…”
“Try this.” Roddy interrupted walking in with a large brimmed hat and some ribbon. “I wish I had more time to adorn it, but I can fashion something.”
“A hat?”
“That is brilliant Roddy! It’s perfect!” Emelia agreed enthusiastically. “How much time do we have?”
“Less than an hour, I am to meet the Earl in the foyer at seven,” Cordelia announced nervously.
“Perfect! And I thought we were rushed!” Emelia smiled. “This is what you do…”
An hour later the Earl was waiting in the foyer, pacing and mumbling to himself.
“What took you so long…” he asked, his question trailing off as she descended the stairs.
Cordelia could not tell if it was a smile or a sneer that graced his lips, but knew he was pleased with what he saw. He reminded her of her father on the day he sold her. Sold for one hundred acres of apple orchards, she had found out from Tilly. That was what she was worth to him, bushels of apples. Cordelia shook off the degrading thought and gave the Earl a flirtatious smile. She was not the same innocent girl who had approached her father that day, she reminded herself. No, Emelia had given her much to use against her arrogant husband. Tonight, she would take control.
“Good evening, my lord.” His eyebrow rose at her cheerful greeting.
“Are you over your animosity toward me then?” he said snidely, but she heard the hopefulness in his tone.
“I only want you to get your money’s worth, my lord. I intend to keep my end of the bargain. Will you?”
“Bargain? I do not remember striking a bargain with you.”
“Shall we go?” she asked, ignoring his question.
She took her wrap from the footman and walked out the front door. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she approached the carriage and took footman’s hand to get in. She ducked low to allow for her hat and sat on the front facing seat. Then she spread her skirt, so there was no room for the Earl to sit beside her. He sat across from her, and the carriage took off with a violent jerk.
“Explain yourself, madam. I know of no bargain between us.”
“Then we shall make one, or I have no motivation to fulfill your wishes, my lord. I have acquired the skills required to be the Countess of Middleton but have no incentive to use them. Your threat to give me the pox would not get you what you desire. And if you return me to my father, I will still be the Countess of Middleton by marriage. As you have said, I will be young enough to marry again if I so desire. I would only have to wait for the disease to take you.”
“You bitch, I will annul this marriage, and you will get nothing. He sold you to me! I will ruin him and you!” he bellowed, anger starting to get the best of him. Cordelia swallowed but kept a smile on her face.
“Do it then.” She clasped her hands so he couldn’t see them shake. “I will still be Lady Swanstone. The annulment will serve to prove my innocence, and the court will order a settlement. I will make another match eventually, or my father can sell me again if he wishes.”
He grabbed her arm and violently jerked her forward so that she was inches from his face. The brim of her hat knocked his wig askew, making him look insane.
“To whom have you been talking? Who told you this?” he hissed in her face. Spittle splattered on her check, and she prayed none of it got into her mouth. Repulsed, she wiped her face with her handkerchief.
“Careful, my lord. If I contract the pox, not one of the Magistrate Court judges would believe you and grant an annulment.” She spoke calmly.
He pushed her back violently, but she caught herself before her body slammed against the wall. He sat back slowly, his eyes still narrowed and his expression livid.
“Who has consulted you, mada
m?” he asked calmly, but she could see the vein on the side of his forehead pulsing.
“No one, my lord. I can read, as you know, and your extensive law library has been more than helpful. I thank you for the privilege of its use.” She gave him a sarcastic smile and was pleased that it irritated him.
“Well, well, your clever little girl. You think you have gotten the upper hand, do you?” He smiled back. “I could do nothing. The fact that I have the French disease will soon become evident, and all will think you have contracted it, even if you did not.”
“A fact easily disproved, my lord. If you do nothing, I will do nothing in return. I will be a wallflower, too shy to say a word to anyone. That will certainly help my cause when it comes time to prove the marriage was never consummated and therefore impossible for me to be infected.”
He studied her for a moment as he crossed his arms. She knew he was not capable of consummating the marriage. The disease had rendered him impotent long ago. That’s why he needed her. A beautiful wife to prove that he was still viable. He needed to dispel the rumors that he had the pox. He needed to prove he was still mentally capable of doing business to make his name rise above the Middleton scandal. They would continue to question the rumor, of course. His cravat was insufficient camouflage for the boils that were spreading on his neck. He would be ruined in short order if she were not to go along with his plan. Cordelia could see it in his eyes. He needed her more than she needed him.
“What do you want?”
“I wish to make a bargain with you, my lord. I have had no choices in this arrangement, and it is precisely that I wish to change. If you wish me to perform for you, then you need to meet my price. Tonight will cost you my mare. She was left behind at the Abbey, and I wish for her to be at Middleton Park,” she said, with more confidence than she felt.
“Done.” He smiled. “But you will come to me tonight.” Her eyes widened at his request.”
“But…”
“If you can make demands, then surely I can as well.” He snickered at her unease.
“Fine, but you cannot touch me.”
“Then I insist you will follow my instructions to the letter. You will entertain me. I’ll not have you lie there, lifeless. I want it all.” Harvey said snidely his eyes sweeping over her with lust.
“Then I want the courtyard.” She gave him a what she hoped was the seductive smile Emelia had taught her. His eyes widened, and she felt a renewed confidence in her negotiations.
“Not on your bloody life! That place dies, rots in hell along with the bitch I built it for!” he screeched.
“We need a place to entertain, my lord, one that is not a parlor. It takes up the entire center of the house. It is only logical to use the space for its purpose.”
“Never! If I could demolish it, I would! I’ll not spend one schilling, I tell you, not one on the bloody place! Find another way.”
“What if I told you it wouldn’t cost you a thing? I would transplant foliage from around the pond to restore it. And, I would only use the staff on hand. They have become complacent as of late. I need something to do with my time as well,” she stated, in a business-like tone, trying to keep her face expressionless. She could tell by his body language that he was thinking about it. She decided to improve her chances. “If we could entertain at Middleton Park, in grand style, it would triple your opportunities.”
“I will not give you one schilling. Do you hear me? Not one!” He slumped in the seat, defeated. “And no roses, I mean it! Not a single one!”
“Done!” she said triumphantly, then her stomach dropped at what was to come later tonight.
Chapter 8
Cordelia was terrified as she exited the carriage. The Earl was to introduce her to the ton for the first time. Her knees were shaking as she climbed the steps to the Weixel’s country estate. All eyes were on them as the butler announced them to the room.
“Cordelia?” a young woman in the crush called out, shocked. Cordelia recognized her immediately.
“Hadley!” Cordelia said, equally shocked. They embraced before she turned to her husband. “My lord, this is Lady Hadley…?”
“Melrose,” Hadley answered for her.
“Lady Hadley Melrose,” Cordelia repeated. “We were at Fountain Abbey together. Lady Melrose, may I present my husband, Lord Middleton.”
“Pleasure, to be sure,” he replied flatly, as she curtsied, the Earl scanned the room, ignoring her. “Is your husband in attendance tonight?”
“Why yes, my lord, he has already retired to the gentlemen’s parlor.”
“Then I will join him. Please excuse me, ladies.” He bowed and walked away before they could curtsy in return. So much for being introduced, Cordelia thought.
“I’m sorry, Hadley. He can be surly sometimes,” Cordelia said, embarrassed.
“Oh pooh, let him go. If he’s anything like my husband, he will suck all the fun out of the evening.” She waved him off and slid her arm through Cordelia’s. “It is so nice to see a familiar face! How long have you and the Earl been married?”
“Going on six months.”
“Four and a half for us. The Earl and my husband are well acquainted I believe, so we shall see each other often, I dare say.”
“That would be nice.” Cordelia answered sincerely.
“I will introduce you. There are a lot of us now.” Hadley laughed and started pulling her towards a group of young ladies talking animatedly. “We call ourselves the Old Codger’s Club.”
“Lot of us? What ever do you mean?” she asked, confused.
“Young ladies married to gentlemen twice our age or more. Old codgers, understand?” Hadley giggled. “We have learned to laugh at ourselves. We know everyone else does,” She squeezed her arm. “My, my, the group is going to be envious of you! You look wonderful Cordelia! Where on earth did you get that gown?” Before she could answer, Hadley continued. “I do not believe anyone will question why the Earl married you! The other old codgers are going to be beside themselves. You might as well prepare yourself,” Cordelia didn’t have a chance to ask what she meant as Hadley rambled on. “You are going to like the rest of the girls. They are just like us. All of us are from one finishing school or another. Lady Jacobson went to one in Paris, France! Ooh, la la!” She giggled and raised her eyebrows in quick succession a few times making Cordelia smile. “We have teas and luncheons. Mostly so we can gossip about everyone, but we also keep each other company. You must join us!” Hadley said, with enthusiasm.
“I would love that. I find myself puttering around Middleton Park with not much to occupy my time,” Cordelia replied relieved at the prospect of making new friends. “I would be happy to join!” She affirmed matching Hadley’s enthusiasm.
What a boon, she thought, to have firsthand information at her fingertips from Hadley Winterford, now Lady Melrose, no less! Hadley was always in everyone else’s business. Cordelia would have inside information on everyone inside a week. Although she would have to be careful what she said or did around Hadley and reminded herself that the girl couldn’t keep a secret to save her life. It was a surprise to see her here. When she left the Abbey, she had not heard that Hadley was to be married.
“When did you get married, Hadley? I did not know you had set a date when I left the Abby,” she queried.
“Turns out the date had been set for some time. My father did not want me to know until it was too late for me to object,” Hadley answered, then leaned in closer. “I was horrified when I met him. He looked as old as my grandfather!” she whispered.
“It was the same for me! I cried for two days,” Cordelia whispered back.
An alliance was forming between them. For the first time in her life, she had something in common with Hadley. It had been a struggle to relate to her at the Abbey. Hadley seemed to have everything Cordelia did not, a family, parents, and siblings that visited or to whose homes she went to on holidays. Cordelia did not know what it was like to have a family. More of
ten than not she was lost in their conversations, not having anything to add or compare. Now, for the first time, she could relate to what Hadley was saying. There was a small comfort in that fact.
“Me too! It took me a month before I resigned myself to make the best of it. That is when I met Lady Winnifred. Winnie, we call her. My husband introduced us through his friend Lord Tilman. I think he did it so I could have a friend and I would stop crying all the time.” Hadley giggled. “She knew of another girl, and that one knew of another, and before we knew it, we had a club of sorts.”
“How wonderful. I wish to meet all of them!”
“Come, almost everyone is here tonight. I will introduce you.”
Within five minutes she was surrounded by the other wives, who were welcoming her. Every one of them was married to a nobleman many years their senior. Being that they were all of similar circumstance, all the ladies were very accepting. As she laughed and conversed with Lady Winnie, a distinguished gentleman with gray at his temples asked her to dance. Hadley leaned in and whispered.
“Remember what I told you. Watch for roving hands. Lord Wallaby is the worst of them.” Cordelia giggled, and nodded before she stood and took the gentleman’s hand.
Lord Wallaby led her to the middle of the dance floor, staring blatantly at her as they waited for the music to start.
“You are quite extraordinary, Lady Middleton. Where did the Earl find you?” he asked frankly, and quite rudely as if she were property, not a person. Cordelia struggled to keep a straight face. The music started giving her a small reprieve.
“Find me, my lord? You ask as if I were sitting on the shelf in a shop somewhere,” She gave him a demure smile. His eyes widened a fraction, and he skipped a step.