by Platt, Meara
Heather did not care that she would be made a laughingstock.
Indeed, she prayed for it.
By eleven o’clock in the morning, she was washed, dressed, had eaten her breakfast, and spent the last hour trying to read a book on ancient Greece in Romulus’s library. She had the room to herself, for Romulus had left earlier today for a meeting at the Admiralty and was not expected to return before the end of the day.
But after reading the same page three times and still not knowing what it said, Heather shut the book and set it aside. She wandered into Violet’s sitting room and found her going over the daily menus with her housekeeper. Little Hyacinth was comfortably nestled in her arms and gurgling contentedly.
Innes had gone next door to play with Harry and Charles, who had been dropped off at their Aunt Sophie’s house for the morning.
Violet cast her a heartbroken smile. “Come, sit a moment with me. Miss Mayhew and I are done going over the menus.”
“I’ll make up a list for the scullery maids to take to market,” the efficient young woman said, bobbing her head to acknowledge Heather as she left.
Violet set aside her papers. “Are you all done packing your belongings?”
“No, I haven’t started.” Heather groaned. “It won’t take long to accomplish. I’ll have Agnes help me this evening if all else fails. But it won’t. Robbie will find a way to change Tilbury’s mind.”
She leaned forward to watch Hyacinth sleeping so peacefully, her little lips twitching as she dreamt of feeding at her mother’s breast. “You must be in heaven, Violet.”
Her cousin laughed softly. “I am. Having Romulus home and both of us enjoying our new daughter is sheer bliss. He can only stay the week before he and Innes must return to Cornwall.”
“It must be so hard on you.”
“It is, especially at night when he is not here to hold me in his arms. But I would not ask him to give up the sea, nor would I ever wish for him to be anything other than the man he is. He’s perfect.”
Heather laughed. “He thinks you are perfect, too. I’ve never seen a man more besotted. You were so clever to both take The Book of Love to heart. I avoided reading it every which way I could. I’ve made every mistake possible. The worst part about it is now that I’ve read the book, I understand with such clarity who is the right man for me.”
“Robbie MacLauren?”
“I knew it in my heart the moment I met him. But I was too stubborn to let go of my little girl fantasy of marrying a marquess.” She continued to watch Hyacinth as she slept. “I’ve now read the book several times over, and each time I do, I fall more deeply in love with him. All the things I thought were so important have faded to insignificance. The title, the trappings of wealth. I never had them, and I know I won’t miss them.”
“You now understand the richness that only true love can bring. I would have given up a king’s ransom for Romulus. Not that anyone else wanted me.”
“Violet, you would have had a line of suitors out the door had your heart not already been set on him. Speaking of hearts, I have something I must do. I cannot leave this matter of Tilbury and Lady Melinda all to Robbie to accomplish.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Their conversation was cut short when Violet’s maid knocked lightly at the door. “Miss Heather, you have a visitor.”
She could not imagine who it was. “I do?”
The young woman nodded. “Lady Withnall has come to see you. I’ve settled her in the parlor.”
“Oh.” She hopped out of her chair. “Violet, may I have refreshments brought to the parlor for us?”
“Yes, of course. But I’ll stay up here while you entertain her. You ought to see her alone. She would have asked for me if she had wanted to see me.” She cast Heather a wry smile. “She and I are quite friendly. In truth, I credit her with matching me and Romulus. I think she’s come here to help you along.”
Heather laughed, knowing she and Violet were probably the only two people in London eager to see this feared gossip. Why hadn’t she thought of inviting her sooner? After all, the woman knew everyone’s secrets.
Heather had been so lost in her own thoughts, she hadn’t heard the resounding thuck, thuck, thuck of the old harridan’s cane along the polished entry hall floor. She hurried into the parlor. “Lady Withnall, I’m so happy to see you.”
The older woman gave a cackling laugh. “That is something I rarely hear. But I had to come, my dear. Your love life is a mess, and there’s no time to waste to set it right.”
Heather sank onto the settee beside her. “I know. It’s all my fault. You told me months ago that I’d already met the man who loves me. In my heart, I knew it was Captain MacLauren. But I’ve had this foolish dream ever since I was a little girl to marry a marquess. When Lord Tilbury came along, I didn’t question his motives. I betrayed my own heart. And now we are in this impossible coil, and I’m not sure we can unravel it without someone getting hurt. I’m worried it will be my parents because I cannot go through with the wedding.”
Lady Withnall patted her hand. “That’s why I am here. Now, tell me. What were Tilbury, Captain MacLauren, and your sister, Dahlia, doing at the flower stands this morning?”
“You saw them?”
“Of course not. What would I be doing in Camden Town at that appallingly early hour of the morning? And in this weather, no less.”
“Then how did you…? Never mind. I don’t suppose it matters how you manage to uncover more secrets than all the elite agents of the Crown combined.”
“I have my sources.” She waved her hand in dismissal. “The flowers, Heather. What have they to do with you and Tilbury?”
Heather waited for the tea cart to be rolled in and left for them before responding. “Not with me. Captain MacLauren is trying to teach Tilbury how to properly woo Lady Melinda.”
“It’s about time. So, this is the reason for those flowers?”
“Yes. They’re for her, not me. You know they care for each other…yes, of course you would know. I heartily approve of what Captain MacLauren is hoping to accomplish. But Tilbury’s botched his courtship so badly, probably botched it for years now. Lady Melinda’s hurt runs deep. I don’t know the exact details of why they are at odds. Captain MacLauren did not confide in me all of what he learned.”
“I should think not. That big Scot knows how to be discreet when it matters.”
“Well, discreet or not, the problem remains. Tilbury will not release me from our betrothal unless he wins Lady Melinda’s heart.”
She poured Lady Withnall a cup of tea and offered her a slice of lemon cake.
“Lovely, I adore lemon cake. It suits my sour disposition,” she said with a surprisingly kindly smile.
Was it possible Lady Withnall was going to help them?
Heather cleared her throat. “I know I am about to sound impertinent. But why are you here? Merely to gather more fodder for your gossip? Or do you think you can help us?” She poured a cup for herself as she spoke. “Because I think we are in desperate need of your wisdom and guidance. You tried to tell me to listen to my heart. I ignored the advice and regret it immeasurably.”
“What Tilbury is doing to you is inexcusable.” She took a sip of her tea. “I could forgive him for acting out of hurt, for he does love Lady Melinda. He’s loved her ever since they were children.”
“Was it the same for her? Has she always loved him?”
“Yes. There’s a lovely honesty to children. They only learn to hide and manipulate once they are older. This is what both of them are doing now. I’m sure he behaved like a donkey, for all men do at some point or another. But he’s been trying to make it up to her, and now she is the one behaving like a donkey.”
“I think she’s afraid to trust him with her love. She’s afraid he will hurt her again.”
Lady Withnall nodded. “Yes, that’s it exactly.”
“Captain MacLauren and Dahlia are helping him make a grand gesture, hopi
ng to prove his love is true. They are buying as many flowers as they can find. But not just any, only those that signify love and faithfulness. He’s also buying her a love token, a sapphire and diamond ring because sapphires represent true and faithful love. Captain MacLauren suggested adding the diamonds because they are meant to represent the sparkle Tilbury hopes to put back in Lady Melinda’s eyes with his everlasting love.”
“I always knew that big, handsome Scot had a romantic heart.”
Heather set down her teacup. “I can see you like him. He’s always had a way with the ladies, Lady Withnall.”
“Is that your doubt surfacing?” She arched a thin, gray eyebrow.
“I suppose it is,” Heather said, pursing her lips, “but only doubts about myself. Tilbury never wanted me. That’s obvious now. And I know Captain MacLauren cares for me. I’m afraid one day he’ll wake up and realize he’s made a mistake. Is it possible for me to hold such a man forever?”
“You are looking at it backward, my dear.” She reached over and patted her hand. “The man has had women tossing themselves at him ever since he was a lad, yet not one of them ever held his heart. Then you came along, and he knew instantly. Not only will you hold his heart forever, but you will be the only one ever with the power to break it.”
The notion shocked Heather, and yet, wasn’t this the same way she felt about him? “There is no other man for me. I cannot marry Tilbury, but he has threatened to crush my family if I renege on our betrothal. Captain MacLauren and I are not cheats. If I marry Lord Tilbury, I will be honor-bound to hold to my marriage vows. Nor will Captain MacLauren ever lure me into straying because of that Scottish code of honor of his.”
She clasped her hands together, holding them tightly as she struggled against her tears. She did not want to turn into a watering pot. Tears solved nothing. “I hope Tilbury and Lady Melinda find happiness, I truly do. But even if they do not, this game Tilbury is playing has to end. He will destroy all of our lives. How can he not see this? Is there anything you can do?”
Lady Withnall patted her hand. “This is why I am here, my dear. Stoke is having a few of us over this afternoon. We regularly get together for card games, mostly whist, which is something we elders enjoy playing. You will come with me.”
Heather leaped at the chance. “I’d love to. Do you think the duke will allow me in? Captain MacLauren is doing his best with Tilbury, but that leaves no one working on Lady Melinda. I was thinking of going over there unannounced later today if Robbie’s…I mean, Captain MacLauren’s ploy did not work. Going over there with you is a wonderful idea.”
“I know. That is why I suggested it. While Captain MacLauren’s idea has merit, it may not be enough. Tilbury is now willing, but Melinda is not. She is still acting out over her mother’s death. They had a very close relationship, and losing her was very hard on the girl. Then Tilbury broke her heart when she was at her most vulnerable, and she has not recovered from it yet. She gave him all of her heart, all of herself. He treated this gift like it was nothing. This is why she has trouble trusting him now.”
“Does she still love him?”
“Oh, yes. True love never dies. Trusting him is her concern. This is what he must convince her to do. I’m not certain how one does that when there is so little time.”
Heather’s heart sank. “It would take a leap of faith.”
“Yes, and we must help her make that leap.” She rapped her cane on the carpet and rose. “Change out of your morning gown and put on suitable attire for an afternoon party. I’ll be waiting in my carriage.”
“Surely, that cannot be comfortable for you. Violet will come down and—”
“No need to disturb your cousin when she’s busy with her new baby. I’ll pay a call on her and little Hyacinth another day. Hurry along. Meet me in my carriage. There’s no time to lose.”
Heather hugged the little termagant. “Thank you. No matter the outcome. Thank you.”
She raced upstairs.
Violet had set Hyacinth in the cradle for her nap and followed Heather into her bedchamber. “What are you doing? Is Lady Withnall still here? I had better go down to greet her.”
“No, she’ll visit you another day. She has already returned to her carriage. I need your help. What shall I wear?”
“Not this one,” she said, pointing to the robin’s egg blue silk that was meant to be her wedding gown…assuming a wedding would take place tomorrow. She desperately hoped to have no use for it. “How about this one? The pale rose is lovely. Here, let me help you with your buttons. Good, now slip this rose one on.” Violet took a step back. “Let me see your hair. Did my maid help you style it this morning?”
Heather nodded.
“It looks very nice. Here, let me do up the last buttons. Where is your reticule? And the matching gloves? Oh, let me see your shoes. Here, wear these. They’re daintier.” She helped Heather put them on. “You look beautiful. Now, out you go.” She turned her around and shoved her out the door.
Heather raced downstairs. “Grieves, I’m in a hurry!”
She’d annoyed the poor man all morning long, continually opening the door to poke her head out of it as though something miraculous would be standing on the other side to greet her.
Grieves hopped to the task, opening the door and smiling as she tore out.
Her cheeks were hot, and she was breathing heavily by the time she hopped into Lady Withnall’s carriage. “I hope I did not keep you waiting too long.”
“Not at all, my dear. Now take several deep breaths and calm yourself. We have our work cut out for us. And do not fling yourself across the seat to hug me again, or I shall toss you out of the carriage and take myself home.”
Heather laughed. “Then, I shall use only words to convey my gratitude to you.”
“I’ll have my thanks when I see you properly married to that handsome Scot.” Lady Withnall cast one of her rare smiles.
Heather grinned back, but she turned thoughtful a moment later. “May we speak about Captain MacLauren again?”
“Yes, my dear.”
“We mentioned taking a leap of faith before. You seem so certain Captain MacLauren will never hurt me. But his reputation with the ladies still nags at the back of my mind. He’s known as a cad and a hound. What makes you so confident he won’t tire of me one day and return to his old ways?”
She arched a gray eyebrow. “What I think doesn’t matter. Why do you believe in him? I can see that he has your trust.”
“He does. I’m not sure exactly why, but it’s something I feel deep in my soul. He’s honorable. He would never lie to me. He has pledged to be faithful.” She shook her head and sighed. “It’s his Scottish pride, I think. He lives by a code of honor. When he gives his oath, he will keep it to the end. And yet, if Tilbury had said the same to me, I don’t know that I would have believed him. Perhaps it is that I know Captain MacLauren would unhesitatingly risk his life to save me. Lord Tilbury would think about it first.”
“Then let’s hope Tilbury feels the same way about Melinda as MacLauren feels about you. This is what it will take to convince her.”
“We’re not going to put her life in danger, are we?”
Lady Withnall sniffed indignantly. “Of course not. It would be disastrous if he failed the test. I like Tilbury, mind you. But he isn’t like your handsome Scot. He’s used to people protecting him, not the other way around. He does not have the instincts of a soldier, but those of a politician. He is a creature of the House of Lords. We are most definitely not putting his instincts, decent though they may be, to the test.”
They rode quietly the rest of the way and soon reached the Duke of Stoke’s magnificent residence. “My sister, Dahlia, helped them decorate it. She’s wonderfully talented. I wonder if they’ll now tear down everything she did because they have no more use for my family.”
“The Upper Crust can be petty. Oh, look at all the carriages lined up. I believe everyone in our club has shown up. No doubt, word
has spread about Tilbury buying out the flower carts and having the flowers delivered to Melinda instead of you. They are all here to view the spectacle.”
“Oh, crumpets.”
Lady Withnall patted her hand. “Be ready to be mocked, my dear. I’m sorry, but many of them will view you as the unworthy rustic, the outsider who got what she deserved. Not that they’re worthy of anything themselves. This is why I revel in exposing their dirty secrets. They need to be taken down a peg.”
Heather nodded. “I’m ready for it. I don’t care if they laugh in my face. It will be nothing if Tilbury finally agrees to let me out of the betrothal.”
They waited in the queue with the other carriages, watching as delivery carts laden with flowers passed them by to drive around back to the servants’ entrance. As they slowly moved up, Heather worried that perhaps she ought to have stayed home with Violet.
She dismissed the twinge of doubt, for Lady Withnall was never wrong and wouldn’t have escorted her here if she thought it was a mistake.
The Stoke butler announced them. “Lady Withnall and Miss Heather Farthingale.”
She hadn’t expected her name to resound through the duke’s magnificent music room or to have a room full of his card-playing friends gawking at her. There were about thirty ladies and gentlemen present, including the duke and Lady Melinda. The room had been set up with card tables. The pianoforte had been pushed to a corner, while along a back wall, more tables had been set up to accommodate a sumptuous light repast.
Everyone fell to a hush the moment her name was announced.
Heather’s heart shot into her throat, and she briefly considered running away, but Lady Withnall had latched onto her arm with a steel grip and was not about to let her flee. It was unnecessary. She was not going to budge from here until the matter was settled.
She had matured quite a bit over the past few days, ever since Robbie’s return to London. All the excuses she had made up for herself, all the reasons why she should choose Tilbury over Robbie, had fallen by the wayside. What remained was the knowledge that whatever hardships she and Robbie had to face, they’d overcome them together. Whatever compromises one of them had to make for the other, they would make them.