by Meghan Sloan
But she couldn’t do it. Her training as a lady forbade it. Once again, she was forced to suffer through this, for the sake of politeness. She only hoped that the lady would say her piece quickly this time, and then just leave her be.
“Miss St. George,” she said through gritted teeth. “And Lucy.”
Lucy looked uncomfortable, gazing at her uncertainly. But Marina St. George had the look of a queen, gazing down at a recalcitrant subject.
“Miss Sinclair,” she said crisply. “I noticed you and Silas come into the room, arm-in-arm.” She paused, gazing at her steadily. “I take it that you are still engaged then, despite what I told you, about Silas loving me and only staying engaged to you out of duty?”
Alice felt a flash of anger. The woman was impossible. She truly believed that she could bend anyone to her will and was shocked if things did not go according to her meticulously laid out plans.
She gazed at her, not knowing whether to loathe her or feel sorry for her. But what she did know was she was over it, well and truly. She didn’t like confrontation, or desire it, but the lady had given her no choice.
She took a deep breath, raising her chin. “I know what you told me, Miss St. George. I simply do not believe it in the slightest.” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “In fact, I think you are a bare-faced liar, if you want the honest truth.”
Marina reared back, looking as shocked as if a sheep had suddenly turned on her, spitting venom. Lucy looked shocked, too, and slightly sick, as if she desperately wanted to be anywhere but here, in conversation with them.
But then Marina recovered, slowly smiling. “My, my, they are strong words, Miss Sinclair,” she said, her eyes glittering fiercely, like a spitting cat. “I almost feel sorry for you, you know. Such slavish devotion to Silas! Such a strong attachment to your engagement.” She paused, drawing herself up. “Whatever he has said to you, it is a lie. He is just using you, Miss Sinclair, for a bit of pleasure. Men do that, you know. But then, I suppose you do not know, being as inexperienced with the stronger sex as you are.”
Alice gazed at her. “I might be inexperienced, Miss St. George, but that does not make me a fool. Tell me, why would my fiancé deny everything that you told me if he truly wished to be with you? Can you explain that?”
Marina’s face darkened, and her eyes flashed. “It is out of duty, as I told you…”
Alice snorted. “If he was engaged to me out of duty, and truly wanted to be with you, why would he not seize the opportunity that I just gave him to break it? Why would he insist that he truly loves me, and that you are just playing a dangerous game for your own private reasons?”
Marina came closer towards her so that she was merely inches away. Alice looked up at the lady, her heart beating frantically in her chest. Marina was so much taller than her, and she was intimidating, using that height imbalance to her advantage. Alice almost felt like a child, being scolded by an adult.
The lady’s violet eyes were glittering dangerously, almost shooting sparks. Her nostrils had flared, too, and her mouth was set in a grim line. Marina St. George was not happy, but she was attempting to control it as much as she could.
Alice glanced quickly at Lucy. The other lady looked appalled, her eyes wide, but she obviously did not have the courage or the resolve to intervene. Alice briefly wondered why Lucy was even staying to witness it, rather than walking away. But then, in a flash, the answer came to her. Lucy had been commandeered by Marina to stay by her side, come what may. That was why Marina had whispered to her when Alice had first entered the room.
Alice felt deeply sorry for Lucy in that moment. The lady obviously didn’t like or approve of what her friend was doing but felt powerless to stop it. Such was the influence and power that Marina wielded over people. It was obvious who was the stronger one out of the pair.
Alice raised her chin, staring at Marina as she bore down on her. She refused to be intimidated by her any longer. Marina could pull out all the tricks in her box – she could try to manipulate and menace her – but Alice was resolved that she would not cave in.
“You are making a big mistake, Miss Sinclair,” the lady hissed. “A very big mistake. Silas and I are destined to be together, and nothing shall stand in our way. Certainly not someone as insignificant as you – a woman desperately trying to usurp my place.” She paused, her chest heaving. “Silas needs a real woman, Miss Sinclair. A woman who can satisfy his desires. He may be infatuated with you, but believe me, he will grow bored. When that time comes, he will run back to me, like a dog towards its rightful owner. Our bond is too powerful.”
“Lies,” Alice whispered, glaring at the woman. “All lies. Be careful, Miss St. George, with how you speak, for you are beginning to betray your true nature. I do not think Silas would take kindly to hearing that you have described him as a dog, enslaved by you. He is angry enough with you already.”
Marina smiled. “It is your word against mine, Miss Sinclair. Believe me, Lucy will not say anything.” She glanced at her friend, who had turned pale, standing next to her. “In fact, Lucy will back up anything that I assert, so it shall be two against one.”
Lucy looked alarmed but did not contradict her.
“Think carefully upon it, Miss Sinclair,” continued Marina in a low voice. “You may think yourself up to this challenge, but you are sorely mistaken. I am tenacious, and I am clever. I will not give up, and I will wear you and Silas down. You would be better to concede defeat now, and scurry away to your little mouse hole before it starts to get rather ugly.”
Alice glared at her, loathing her with all her being. What was the use in even speaking to her and trying to get her to see reason? She had just admitted that she would not back down, that she had no intention of letting them march towards the altar. It had been like a declaration of war, with Marina the general and Lucy her foot soldier.
A deep unease swept over her, competing with her anger. Marina hadn’t been lying in one regard, at least. She was tenacious and clever, and obviously so much more sophisticated and worldly than she was. Her courage flagged for a moment. How could she hope to compete in the face of the assault even if Silas truly loved her and wished for them to marry?
“I feel sorry for you,” Alice said in a trembling voice. “You are a desperate woman.” She turned to Lucy. “And you sorely disappoint me, Lucy. I thought that we were becoming friends. How can you stand here, letting her speak to me like this and do nothing? Have you no backbone at all?”
Pain flashed over Lucy’s face. She looked like she was about to burst into tears.
At that moment, Charlotte walked up, staring at them all intently. She sidled over to Alice, taking her arm firmly.
“There you are, Alice,” she said in a bright voice. “I wonder if you would sit beside me at the pianoforte. We have not had a chance to speak all evening.” She stared at Marina and Lucy. “If you ladies would excuse us. I hate to break up what is obviously such an agreeable conversation, but I have need of my friend.”
Marina smiled. “Of course, do not let us keep you. We were just about to circulate around the room anyway. Come, Lucy.”
Marina swept away, trailed by Lucy, who glanced back at them with a look of deep sorrow on her face.
“What was that about?” hissed Charlotte, leading Alice to the pianoforte. “You are pale, Alice. What did that woman say to you?”
They sat down side-by-side on the pianoforte stool. Alice could barely keep in the tears.
“What hasn’t she said to me?” she whispered to her friend, in anguish. “She has declared war upon me, and nothing I say or do will sway her. She is determined to break up Silas and me.” She swallowed a painful lump that had formed in her throat. “I simply do not know what to do, Charlotte.”
Charlotte looked angry. “I thought as much. She was bearing down on you like an outraged governess. Lucy looked decidedly queasy.” She stared at her friend intently. “You must stay strong, Alice. Silas loves you…I know that he does. Nichola
s assured me of it when we spoke earlier. And he also told me that Silas is determined to honour your engagement, even if it hurts Miss St. George.”
Alice sighed wearily. She felt a low, thudding ache start at the back of her head. The evening had been tumultuous to say the least. So many emotions ranging from anger and uncertainty to extreme love and desire. She felt like a ragdoll being tugged by hands on either side, eager to pull her apart.
Was she up to this? She had no desire for war, or confrontation. All she wanted was to be left in peace and lead her life the way that she wanted to. She wasn’t a sophisticated woman of the world, used to drawing room battles and drama. She felt like she had stepped into the middle of a raging maelstrom, with no tools or idea as to how to navigate it.
“I believe that Silas does truly love me,” she whispered, remembering again their passion, and the sweet words of love he had spoken to her only a short time ago. “But you do not understand, Charlotte. That woman is determined to get him back, and I believe that she will stop at nothing. I simply do not know, anymore.” She bit her lip. “Perhaps I should bow out. Perhaps it is true what she says, that their love is greater, and it shall only be a matter of time before he tires of me and wants her again…”
Charlotte shook her head vigorously. “No, Alice! She is just trying to manipulate you. You must stand strong…”
Alice sighed again. The headache was intensifying. How she wished that Marina St. George had never come back. She knew that it was selfish and heartless to wish the lady gone, but there it was.
At that moment, Nicholas and Silas re-appeared, wheeling in a gigantic three-tiered cake, on a kitchen trolley. There were claps and gasps of admiration as the guests drew around it, and Lord Langley led his slightly embarrassed wife to the centre.
Alice felt rooted to the spot, unable to join the celebration, so deeply weary that she couldn’t even smile. Silas glanced over at her, above the heads of the others. She watched as Marina sidled up to him, smiling in a brilliant way, resting her hand on his arm.
Silas looked startled and not happy. But he obviously felt like he couldn’t ignore the lady in such a public setting. Slowly, they started speaking, in low whispers, as Lady Langley cut her birthday cake to cheers all round.
Alice felt like a knife had just pierced her heart. Marina would not give up. And how could Silas be expected to stand strong in the face of such a determined display of dazzling beauty and charm?
***
Marina did not leave Silas’s side for the rest of the evening, making sure that she was at his elbow wherever he moved. Alice refused to approach them, knowing that the lady would make her feel inadequate at every opportunity. Instead, she clung to Charlotte, just wanting the evening to finally be over.
She felt Silas’s eyes on her from time-to-time as she moved about the room, but she ignored him. What else was she supposed to do?
Blessedly, Marina finally left as the party wound down. Alice watched her whispering her goodbyes to Silas, drawing him to her, so that he was forced to lean close. Another stab of pain entered her heart, and she had to blink back tears.
As soon as she was gone he came to her where she was standing with Charlotte. How she wanted to lean heavily against him, for him to whisper words of love and comfort to her. But the spectre of Marina seemed to hover between them even now. It was as if she would never be able to escape the lady, as if she had permeated their sacred space, lingering like a foul smell.
Charlotte gazed at her sympathetically. Her dear friend knew how much she was suffering, and how trying this evening had become.
“Shall we make our leave, Alice?” she asked.
Alice nodded, relief sweeping through her.
Silas sighed. “I should probably go as well,” he said slowly. “The evening is drawing late.” He gazed at Alice intently. “Should we try to find Nicholas and say our farewells?”
He took her arm and they all drifted out of the room, searching for their host. Alice’s heart thudded heavily at being so close to Silas again. But love and desire were weighed down with pure sorrow this time.
She wouldn’t speak of it again tonight, but she knew their love was doomed. She would tell him later in the week. She would gather her courage and just do it. It would kill her, but her resolve was strong.
Marina St. George was back, and she could not be avoided. The elephant was trumpeting loudly in the room. And the lady was too fierce, too determined. Besides, it was probably true what she had claimed. Silas probably did truly love Marina still, and his feelings for Alice were mere infatuation. She did not have the strength to compete in the face of such fury. And all she wanted was for her love to be happy.
They wandered around from room to room looking for Nicholas. Eventually they found him in a morning room. He was standing there with Lucy. Nicholas looked furious and Lucy was in tears. They had obviously been arguing fiercely before being interrupted.
“What on earth is going on?” whispered Charlotte, frowning.
Silas’s hand tightened on her arm. He looked bewildered too.
They stepped into the room. Nicholas and Lucy both turned around as one, staring at them.
“Ah,” said Nicholas, his mouth a grim line. “Just the people I wished to see.” He glared down at Lucy. “I think that Miss Oakley has something to say, to all of you.”
Chapter 25
They walked slowly into the room, mystified. Lucy had broken away from Nicholas and was gazing at them all. The tears were still streaming down her face.
“What is going on?” asked Silas, a sharp note in his voice. “Perhaps we should all have a stiff drink and try to calm down, Nicholas…”
Nicholas shrugged, not budging an inch. Silas walked to the cocktail cabinet in the corner and poured two whiskeys. He silently passed them to Nicholas and Lucy. The lady took it like it was a balm, sipping it thirstily.
Charlotte walked over to Lucy, putting her arm around her. “My dear, perhaps you should sit down,” she said gently, glaring at Nicholas over her shoulder. “It will do you good.”
Lucy let herself be led, as passive as a lamb. Charlotte sat beside her on the chaise lounge, her arm around her. Alice sat on the other side of the distressed lady, placing a comforting hand on her arm.
But when Lucy turned to look at her, her face crumpled further. She sobbed, clutching her whiskey glass. Alice took out her handkerchief, passing it to Lucy without saying a word. She didn’t think that she had ever seen someone so distressed. Her heart lurched with pity. Lucy was a lovely girl. She had grown closer to her at Hill Lodge. It was only since Marina had returned that things had become tense between them.
“Lucy,” said Nicholas, in a firm but gentle voice. “You need to tell what you know. About Marina’s disappearance.”
Lucy gazed up at him, her brown eyes shimmering like pools. But her mouth twisted in a grim line and she shook her head firmly.
“No,” she said, clutching the whiskey glass. “I cannot, and you cannot make me. She is my friend. My very best friend, in the whole world.” She drew a deep, ragged breath. “We have been close since we were girls.”
Nicholas scoffed. “You may think her your best friend, but how good a friend has she truly been to you?” His eyes narrowed. “She would never have burdened you with all of this, if she was as devoted to you as you are to her. Why can you not see what she is doing to you?”
Lucy started to weep anew, dabbing at her eyes with Alice’s handkerchief.
“My dear, you do not have to say anything if you cannot,” said Charlotte, her eyes wide with sympathy. “Do not let him bully you into it.” She glared at Nicholas again, but he didn’t bat an eyelid. He simply stood his ground, sipping his whiskey pensively.