“Well, perhaps a word with William then.”
“That plea will fall on deaf ears as well. William would do anything for Penny.” Robert slapped his old friend on the shoulder. “Come, I am in need of a fine libation. Shall you join me in the library?”
“I believe I shall.”
As the two men walked out of the ballroom, Robert turned back and gave the room a quick glance. He swore he felt someone watching him.
*****
Fiona watched Robert leave the ballroom with Davingdale and wished she could go as well. She had circulated with Penny, made her way around the room with the Regent, spoke to dozens of people, laughed and smiled until her face ached, chatted ‘til she was hoarse, and declared her feet were actually bruised from all the dancing. She now wanted a quiet place to sit, relax, and maybe take a short catnap. Last night with Robert had caught up to her.
Greenleigh approached. “How do you do, Lady Fiona?”
“Greenleigh, how nice to see you. Are you only just arrived?”
“Yes, sad to say. My elderly aunt and uncle showed up unannounced just as I was leaving. Tell me, what have I missed? Any delicious bits of gossip you wish to share? The latest on dit to pass along?”
Fiona laughed. “Greenleigh, since when do you enjoy gossip? I thought you were above all that.”
“I must confess, I find I do love a good intrigue every once in awhile. So tell me, has nothing been offered up this evening?”
“Only that the Regent arrived and I almost fainted during my curtsy,” Fiona said.
“I will tell you a secret. Upon my introduction, I almost fainted as well.” Greenleigh smiled. “It seems we are both frightened of His Highness.” Greenleigh looked over the sea of dancers. “Would you care to take a turn, your ladyship? Are you otherwise engaged?”
“Why no. That would be lovely, Greenleigh, thank you.” Fiona thought about her aching feet, but could not refuse Greenleigh. He was such a dear friend.
As they were dancing, Fiona happened to catch of glimpse of her husband speaking with a lovely woman to whom she had not been introduced. Fair and slender, the woman held herself with an air of regal propriety Fiona could never hope to acquire. Robert seemed to be in thrall of her, and stood inordinately close, whispering into her ear. The look on his face was one she had never seen before, certainly he had never bestowed it upon her. Who was she?
She waited until the dance ended before she asked, “Greenleigh, tell me, do you know that woman with whom my husband is speaking?” Fiona pointed to the corner of the ballroom.
Greenleigh’s smile slowly faded. He looked down at Fiona and in his eyes, found sympathy.
“I’m afraid I cannot tell you,” Greenleigh responded. “I’m sure Lady Olivia would know, and certainly Lady Joanna.” He took up her hand and kissed it. “Lady Fiona, I am your faithful servant and if you should ever need anything, I remain at your disposal. If you would excuse me.” Greenleigh bowed and quickly walked away, heading straight for the dowager corner.
Fiona wondered at Greenleigh’s mysterious choice of words and sudden departure. However, Edwards stood nearby, and requested her assistance in the dining room.
When she returned to the ballroom, she found people stared at her with the same look of sympathy Greenleigh had. She glanced down at her gown and found nothing amiss. Several older women she knew, friends of Lady Joanna, reached out their hands to her as she passed and gave her fingers a quick squeeze. What were they about? Fiona looked for Robert, but did not see him anywhere. She found William and inquired if he had seen her husband.
“The musicians are tuning up for a waltz and Robert and I always dance together,” Fiona said.
“I’m sorry, Fiona, I do not know where Robby is. As a matter of fact, I have not seen him since he and Davingdale joined us in the library.”
“Thank you, William. Perhaps my mother-in-law would know. If you should run across him, please tell him I am looking for him.”
William nodded. “Of course.”
Fiona made her way to the dowager corner and found Lady Joanna and Lady Olivia speaking in hushed tones. When Fiona reached them, they both stood. They also wore an expression of compassion, although Lady Olivia seemed more in a pique.
“Could you tell me if you have seen Robert?” Fiona asked. “The waltz has started and I simply cannot find him anywhere.”
Lady Joanna took up her hand. “Oh dearest,” she said. “I do not know how to tell you this.”
Lady Olivia muttered under her breath. “Damned stupid fool.”
“What is it? What do you not wish to tell me?” Fiona’s stomach tightened. Both women looked over the dance floor. Fiona turned and found Robert dancing the waltz with the woman she had seen him talking to earlier. Her heart cracked.
“Who is she?” Fiona whispered. Though in some deep place in her soul she knew.
“Mary Elizabeth,” Lady Joanna said.
Fiona’s heart broke wide open.
Chapter Thirty-Two
After several drinks with Davingdale in the library, Robert went upstairs to find Fiona. He hadn’t meant to take so long, but with William joining them, he could not escape as soon as he wished. He knew he shouldn’t have imbibed so much, but he was celebrating his new life with Fiona. Exceedingly happy for the first time in a long time, Robert felt nothing could ruin this perfect night.
On his way to the dining room to have a small bite to eat, he gained the landing outside the ballroom. His muddled brain brought his eyes to a sight he could not believe. Mary Elizabeth stood there, looking every bit the girl he had once known. Robert’s heart stopped beating. He gasped for breath.
She approached him with her hand outstretched. “Robby,” she crooned.
Gaining what little of his wits he had, Robert took her hand and kissed it. “Lady Binghamton, to what do I owe the unusual pleasure of seeing you again?” He tried to keep his composure as the emotions of a decade ago ran wild through the liquor in his veins.
“Robby, please, do not be so formal. However, I am no longer Lady Binghamton. I am Countess de Lavallier now.” She took his arm and proceeded to walk him into the ballroom. “Tell me, are you not happy to see me?” They walked toward the back of the room and stood in front of the open windows.
His mind raced. He searched the ballroom for Fiona. “I do not know what to feel, Beth,” Robert said, his use of her pet name slipping easily off his tongue. “It has been a long time.”
“Yes, it certainly has – much too long.” Her hand caressed the lapels of his jacket.
“What are you doing here?” To his addle-pated mind, it was as if she were resurrected from the dead.
“When my last husband passed, I found I could no longer stand living in Italy. I wanted to come home, to England where I belonged. I have been in Town these three weeks together, meeting old acquaintance, and when I found you were giving a ball, I took the opportunity to insinuate myself on a friend’s invitation. I hope you do not mind.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “I realize I was absolutely horrible to you in the past, Robby, but I should like to make it up to you. I have missed you so much these last years. I should never have run away with Binghamton, but he swayed my reason. Have you forgiven me yet?” She laid a small kiss on his cheek.
Robert shook his head. He could not seem to get his mind to register Mary Elizabeth was in his ballroom. He needed to get away from her. This was too much for him to comprehend in his alcoholic state. He searched again for Fiona.
“Robby, please.” She gazed up at him. “Say you have forgiven me, or I shan’t bear it.”
“I’ve forgiven you,” he admitted. “It took several years, but I’m over the hurt and humiliation you caused. ‘Twas a long time ago, Beth. I do not think about it anymore.” Looking into her face, the truth came off quickly. He had Fiona now.
“Good.” She smiled. “I must tell you I suffered cruelly at Binghamton’s hand. He was not the man I thought he was. And my second husband was a
nother foolish mistake.” She took his hand in hers. “You are the only man I’ve ever loved, Robby. It has always been you.”
Her words slammed into his brain and he didn’t care. He loved Fiona.
“Is that not a waltz? Dance with me, Robby. I long to feel your arms around me.” She looped her hand through his arm.
She led him onto the floor, and he couldn’t escape without causing a scene. Oh dear God, where was Fiona? She would never forgive him for this. Never.
*****
Fiona stood with her mother-in-law and Lady Olivia and watched her husband touch his former lover’s back with a tender hand. She watched as they moved closer to each other, their bodies losing themselves in the twirl of her skirts. She watched as the woman bestowed a kiss on his cheek. And finally she could watch no more.
“If you would excuse me,” Fiona said. “I think I need a few minutes to gather my thoughts.” She fled the ballroom.
She gained her bedchamber and stood with her back to the closed door. The elusive Mary Elizabeth had come back and captured her husband once again. After all Fiona and Robert had been through these last months, after all the anguish and misery, and then love and hope for the future, it had been swept away with all the ferocity of a tidal wave by the sudden appearance of one woman. Fiona knew deep in her heart Robert had never stopped loving Mary Elizabeth, but she had hoped he would somehow put that behind him and find his happiness with her. But now, with Mary Elizabeth’s arrival, Fiona knew all hope was lost. She had seen the way he held her as they danced. A single tear slipped down her cheek.
Last night’s lovemaking had brought them together in a way Fiona was sure would bind them forever. Now that Mary Elizabeth was back, Robert would never look at Fiona the same way. He would always be thinking of what he had lost, and how Fiona could never compare.
Mary Elizabeth was an angelic creation, blonde and willowy, with perfect style, and exquisite refinement. Fiona was the exact opposite, possessing little in the way of elegance, or sophistication. And hadn’t she overheard Robert once describe her as the perfect image of Boadicea.
Fiona could never live in Mary Elizabeth’s shadow, would never be able to stand her husband’s touch all the while knowing he wished Fiona were someone else. Whatever they had worked their way toward was completely undone now. It was only a matter of time before Robert divorced her.
Fiona imagined he would be kind to her for the next weeks, but secretly he would meet Mary Elizabeth and discuss their future together. People would see them and try and keep it from her, but Fiona would know from the pitiable looks on their faces. She would become the laughingstock of Society again, just as she had when she first arrived in Town.
For a brief moment, Fiona thought about fighting for him, and then dismissed it. She would never compete for Robert’s affections no matter how badly she wanted them. She would lose and that would be the biggest humiliation of all. No, she would give him up, body and soul, to the woman he would never stop loving. It was the easiest way.
Fiona rang the bell and prayed she had not taken Merry from sleep. She glanced at the clock. Half-eleven. She paced her room and waited.
Merry arrived a few minutes later, still dressed. “What is it, my lady? Is something amiss? I thought you would still be enjoying the festivities.”
“Yes, I must return downstairs in a few moments, but I need you to do something for me first.”
“Of course, my lady, what is it?”
“Tell me, can you get word to Eammon? We shall need him for what I am about to do.”
Merry’s eyes grew round.
As Fiona explained her request, tears came to Merry’s eyes.
“Oh, Lady Fiona, I am so sorry.”
“Robert and I have been walking on a very thin ribbon. ‘Twas only a matter of time before something unraveled it. I think this is the best way to move forward.” Fiona looked at her bed with regret.
“I shall leave you to do my bidding. I’m sure you will have plenty of time, as we have not even gone to supper yet. Once you have finished, await me in your room and take some rest. I will come to you in the wee hours.” Fiona walked to the door.
“Are you sure, my lady, this is how you wish to go on?” Merry asked.
Fiona turned. “Yes, dearest, ‘tis the only way.” Fiona closed the door behind her and walked back down to the ballroom. She needed to find Greenleigh.
With Edwards help, Fiona located Greenleigh in the library. When she made her request of him, he did not seem surprised.
“I am sorry, Lady Fiona. I had hoped Cantin would think this through with his head, as he has such proclivity for analytics in his business dealings.”
Fiona touched his arm. “One cannot lay fault with one’s heart, Greenleigh. We must follow where it will lead, or we shall only live half a life.”
“You are wise beyond your years, Lady Fiona. I will do as you request and return as soon as I have made the arrangements.”
“Thank you, Greenleigh. You are a blessing.”
Dispatching Greenleigh, Fiona then made her way back upstairs to the ballroom where she immediately went to Lady Joanna.
“Are you well, dearest?” her mother-in-law asked and placed her hand on Fiona’s cheek.
“Yes, I’m fine. I only needed a few minutes to compose myself.” Fiona smiled at Lady Olivia who sat looking at her with concern.
“Do not do anything foolish, child,” the dowager said. “It will all work itself out.”
“I know, Lady Olivia. I know. I have given the matter great thought and have adjusted my expectations. All will be as it should, is that not what you say?”
“Fiona!”
Fiona turned at the sound of Robert’s voice.
“Where have you been? I have been looking for you everywhere.” Robert brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm.
“I’ve been attending to matters in the kitchen,” she lied and extricated herself from his grasp.
“Would you care to dance?”
She smiled. “I’m afraid Penny needs some assistance in the ladies retiring room. Her gown has come undone,” she lied again. “If you would excuse me.” And she left him standing there with his mother and Lady Olivia.
*****
Robert watched her walk away. Did she know yet? Had she seen him with Mary Elizabeth? His head swirled through the fog of brandy.
“How could you, Robert,” his mother cried.
He wanted to vomit. “Mary Elizabeth took me by surprise, Mother.”
Lady Olivia thumped her cane. “Fiona saw you dancing with her, Mr. Impudence. Have you completely lost all your senses? Fiona is beside herself, but putting up a brave face. Whatever your past history with Mary Elizabeth, you have no reason to humiliate Fiona in her own home.”
“I am not humiliating anyone, Lady Olivia. I was overtaken with Beth’s presence, something I’m sure you could not understand. Would you rather I caused a scene? When I realized what I had done, I came to find Fiona straight away.”
“And now what, Robert?” his mother asked. “Now what shall you do? Break Fiona’s heart all over again? I thought after last night you had finally come to an understanding. I thought you had finally found the love you have been searching for all these years. I thought you had finally found your happiness.”
“Mother….”
“No, I will be heard. Fiona is the kindest and gentlest of girls. She has loved you since you first brought her home. She has loved you even when you treated her with such contempt I did not know my own son. Fiona has loved you through it all, and now just one dance with that horrendous little tart, you forget everything you have found with Fiona.”
“Mother!”
“Do not say another word, Robert. I am exceedingly displeased over your reprehensible behaviour.” His mother walked away with tears in her eyes.
Lady Olivia stood. “I fear this will cost you, Cantin. I very much fear you will lose everything, including your good name.” Lady Olivia thu
mped her cane on the floor and also walked away.
Oh God, how could he ever explain?
For the rest of the evening Fiona avoided him. Always within sight, when she saw him coming, she slipped away like a ghost. Searching for her for the waltz before supper, he found her already on the floor with Greenleigh, which ate at him like an ulcer.
Mary Elizabeth stood in the corner by the open windows and watched him, constantly smiling. He wanted to have Edwards evict her from the party, but that would only lead to another scandal.
Oh God, what had he done? He found a footman and bade him bring him a brandy.
In the ballroom, Penny gave Robert a direct cut, and William wouldn’t look him in the eye. Robert wished his father were there to advise him.
As soon as the damnable ball was over he would go to Fiona and explain everything and hopefully, that would ease her mind. As for Mary Elizabeth, he needed to speak with her, to inform her, whatever game she played it wouldn’t work. Mary Elizabeth had broken his heart once. He would be damned if he let her do it to Fiona.
Chapter Thirty-Three
No one expected Fiona to remain until the last of the guests departed, and Edwards urged her to go upstairs and find her bed, but Fiona told him she was still too full of nerves, which was true. However, she hoped to accomplish what she intended before Robert found her. She had no doubt he would try to explain his conduct this evening, no doubt he would give her some clever excuse for his behavior with Mary Elizabeth. Fiona had no wish to hear it. Whatever feelings Robert wished to impart, whatever insecurity he hoped to discuss, Fiona didn’t care anymore. His dancing with Mary Elizabeth was the ultimate insult. She had put up with his uncertainty for too long, had lived in fear of his rejection, and Fiona didn’t have to put up with it for one more second.
Yes, she loved Robert, with all her soul, and yes, it drove a knife straight through her heart to see him in the arms of another woman, but Fiona wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of voicing her hurt or anger. She would muster every last ounce of dignity she could, mourn his loss, and then move on. There was nothing else for it.
The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) Page 23