An Artful Deception

by Karen Cogan

  “Yes, I see the problem.”

  “But do you have a solution?”

  Katharine had to admit that, indeed, she did not.

  Lady Charlesworth wrinkled her pale brow. “It has been quite vexing and has given me a headache for days. Yet I was determined to take the situation in hand and find a solution. And I believe that I have thought of one.”

  She paused to enjoy her own triumph. “Indeed, I have thought of one. And it is most clever, if I say so myself. My dear girl, we shall not be ruined after all; for I believe that it will work.”

  Lady Charlesworth clapped her hands, delighted to share her plan. “Though I must admit that my idea is rather unoriginal, I do not believe that it will be proclaimed a falsehood, at least not to our faces. As to what is said behind our backs, I do not want to imagine. Nonetheless, I believe it will serve to restore you to society.”

  Katharine had leaned forward in her chair, curious as to what Lady Charlesworth planned to concoct and not a little worried by the prospect. “What would you have me to do, my lady?”

  “I would have you regain your memory. It was lost, you see, when you suffered the terrible accident that killed your maid and companion. It is understandable that such a terrible shock would dislodge a person’s mind. Do you not think it possible, for I certainly do?”

  Lady Charlesworth’s cheeks had grown pink with enthusiasm for her scheme to rescue Katharine from social censure. “We cannot tell the truth. Surely you see how impossible that would be. While Philip might gain sympathy from your unwarranted ploy, he would not be expected to continue company with you. And I know that the dearest desire of his heart is to fulfill the wish of both your parents and his own. He has always been a most dutiful son in that regard.”

  Katharine repressed a smile at the notion that Philip did not have his own strong ideas about the matter of marriage. She felt convinced that, should he not find a young lady of romantic interest, no amount of planning or pleading would change his mind. It made her all the more aware of her good fortune in falling in love with a man who loved her in return.

  She brought her attention back to Lady Charlesworth, who was thick into the details of the quickly conceived scheme. “I shall take you calling with me to a few selected matrons. You must powder your face to look very pale. Then, I shall tell the story of your terrible ordeal.”

  She paused and sniffed. “It nearly brings tears to my own eyes to think of how pitiful you shall appear. And we shall say that I began to notice small things about you that convinced me you were not who you appeared. And through my gentle persistence, you were rescued and your memory returned.”

  Lady Charlesworth, so touched by the valiance of her deed, wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I think it will work.”

  Katharine did not relish the part into which she had been cast. Yet, having no plan of her own, she could not think of an objection that was likely to dissuade the lady. And since she had confided her deliberate deception to a very few people, it was not likely that anyone would dispute the story.

  So, with some reluctance, she agreed to her part.

  “I believe we will begin calling tomorrow. Then, perhaps we might go back to the country for a short stay, only a month or so. The season will still be young when we return and you and Philip may begin afresh.”

  They finished their tea and Lady Charlesworth swept up to her chambers for a rest after the mental strain of solving this thorny problem. Katharine summoned Lizzy and retired to her own chamber where she related the details of the plan.

  Lizzy grinned when she had heard it. “It is a rather smart way to avoid a scandal.”

  Katharine sighed. “I suppose you are right. But Lizzy, you should have heard her. I shall have to sit like a silly goose while she tells all the matrons how I lost my memory and Lady Charlesworth brought it back for me.”

  Lizzy could not suppress a giggle. “Perhaps it will be worth it if it gains her good favor.”

  Katharine smiled up as Lizzy brushed out her hair. “You are right, of course. If it makes her feel good and solves the problem, I shall go along gracefully, or as nearly as I can manage.”

  When Philip collected her to walk in the garden that evening he could not help teasing. “I understand that it was your faulty memory and not my charming character that drove you to your pretense. You cannot imagine my relief.”

  “I shall be vastly relieved when the entire matter has been put behind us. The only thing that gives me comfort is that your mother has forgiven me. I should not like for us to be enemies.”

  “Indeed, she will think highly of you if you play your part well.”

  Katharine smiled. “I shall do my best.”

  He turned her to face him and stared down into her eyes. She felt her heart leap as she saw the tender longing in his gaze. He brushed the tip of a finger across her lips and said, “This afternoon, I told my mother that we are officially engaged. She was quite excited. She always wanted a daughter to dote upon and show off to her friends.”

  “I hope that I shall prove acceptable.”

  “You are acceptable to me, though I have no desire to show you off to any of the old tabbies. If I could, I would keep you all to myself.”

  He leaned down and claimed her lips in a gentle kiss.

  Katharine shivered with delight. She wished his kiss could last forever, for the sweet possession of her lips made her forget all that had gone wrong since she had begun this trip. She knew only that she felt, once again, safe and protected and loved. It was a comfort that she had nearly despaired of ever achieving. And she was grateful that her own folly had not robbed her of what was meant to be.

  They parted reluctantly as Cook clattered out the back door on her way to market to purchase fresh fowl. Resuming their walk, Katharine commented, “Lady Charlesworth believes that we should retire to the country for a month or so before we re-enter the London season. Do you think it prudent?”

  “I do. In the country, we shall be able to spend every evening together instead of being expected to attend assemblies and tedious parties where I am expected to engage in endless games of loo.”

  Katharine laughed. “I take it that you do not share your mother’s enthusiasm for outings?”

  Philip shook his head in emphatic denial. “Indeed madam, I do not. I am much like my father in that regard.”

  “Then we must both enjoy the country; soak it into our very souls, so that we may return with the fortitude to humor your mother, for I am sure that she expects a good many parties and engagement celebrations.”

  He deposited her at the back door of the house. “I shall take that as a promise of your intent to share this saturation of our bodies and minds with fresh country air.”

  He took her hand and deposited a kiss. “And now, I must reluctantly leave you so that I may meet my father. We are to go over some rather boring, yet necessary, affairs of business.”

  “And shall we ride on the morrow?”

  “If it would please you, I should be delighted.”

  When they had agreed to a time for an early ride, Katharine went inside. After taking her rest, Lizzy assisted her in dressing for supper with Lady Charlesworth.

  As they began their meal, the good lady waved about her fork and said, “Do not worry about a thing. I have decided that, tomorrow, we will visit the most influential matrons of the ton, beginning with Lady Weatherton. You must take care for your dress and have Lizzy put up your hair.”

  Katharine nodded, resigned. “Yes, my lady.”

  “And you shall let me explain.”

  “I shall hardly say a word.”

  Lady Charlesworth was in good spirits when they parted. For her part, Katharine wondered how much the story would change by the time it had been repeated all around London. She supposed she would find out in good time.

  The next morning, after an early ride with Philip, she returned and dressed with care in a mint muslin with overlaid organdy. Lizzy arranged her copper hair i
n a coil atop her head. And she was ready to join Lady Charlesworth, who seemed distracted by plans for their return to the country.

  “I have left instructions for Lizzy to spend the week packing our personal essentials. Since we will be returning, I see no reason to pack the entire household. Simply instruct her in the clothes that you wish to leave here.”

  “I do not suppose I shall need any ball gowns.”

  Lady Charlesworth patted her hand. “No dear, but we will be back quickly so that you and Philip need not miss the season.”

  They alighted at the residence of Lady Weatherton and were ushered into the parlor while the butler presented Lady Charlesworth’scard. In a matter of minutes, they were joined by the matron of the house who gushed in with a warm welcome for her friend.

  “Why, Lady Charlesworth, what a pleasure. I was just telling Lady Jersey that it had been ages since I saw you last. Do take a seat and tell me where you have been keeping yourself. You have not been unwell, I hope.”

  They settled upon the stuffed sofa with Katharine on the far end beside Lady Charlesworth. Lady Weatherton cast Katharine a puzzled look before turning her attention to Lady Charlesworth, who sat fanning herself with her delicate imported fan.

  Lady Charlesworth turned to her friend and said, “I have been quite well except for the terrible ordeal to my nerves. Oh, Lady Weatherton, you cannot imagine what our family has been through. It has set our whole household in turmoil.”

  Lady Weatherton leaned forward, placing a hand upon the arm of her friend. “You must tell me about your distress. Perhaps I might be of help.”

  “Indeed, I shall tell you, but only because we are such good friends.”

  “Yes. And you may trust me completely. If you wish it, I can be silent as the grave.”

  Lady Charlesworth shook her head. Her faded blond curls bounced beside her cheeks. “You need not bother with secrecy. As you will soon understand, it is not a scandal, but rather a story that has proved to have a happy ending.”

  Katharine thought Lady Weatherton would burst with the attempt to disguise her curiosity. Fortunately for her, Lady Charlesworth began her tale. “You remember how Lady Katharine was to come to us and marry my Philip?”

  “Indeed I do. It was a horrid shock to lose her in that tragic accident. And such a disappointment to you, as her mother was such a dear friend.”

  Lady Charlesworth nodded. “I was broken-hearted. But it seems we were all mistaken. In the accident, it was Lady Katharine’s maid and a traveling companion who were killed. Our dear Lady Katharine survived. But the poor dear hit her head and lost her memory. All she could remember was that she was traveling to us.”

  Lady Weatherton’s eyes grew wide. “Then she was not killed?”

  “No. But since she could not remember who she was, she imagined herself to be her maid. Since I had not seen her since she was a child, I did not recognize her. She began her stay in my household as my lady’s maid.”

  Lady Weatherton covered her mouth. “How shocking.”

  “Indeed. Fortunately, I began to discover small things about her, such as her superior breeding and grace in conversation and deportment that made me question her assumed identity. I began to gently question her, for I felt all was not as it seemed.”

  “Very wise of you. Pray tell the outcome.”

  “She began to regain her memory, though I must admit that it was very little at first.”

  Lady Charlesworth dabbed at her eyes as she turned to Katharine and patted her hand. “Now, to our great relief, she is quite herself again.”

  Lady Weatherton stared at Katharine, eyes wide with the import of this news. “So this is Lady Katharine?”

  She continued to peer at Katharine a moment longer and then announced. “If it is any comfort to you, I, too, thought her deportment too refined for a maid. It is a subtle thing, but one that a lady would notice.”

  “Yes, you are quite right,” Lady Charlesworth agreed.

  Lady Weatherton spoke directly to Katharine. “I shall look forward to making your proper acquaintance, my dear. You must have been through a terrible ordeal.”

  Katharine lowered her eyes. “Yes, my lady. It was quite frightful. I am only too happy to have recovered my identity by Lady Charlesworth’s kind efforts.”

  Lady Charlesworth smiled indulgently. “I shudder to think what the poor child has been through, what we all have been through. I am only grateful that the truth has come out at last.”

  Lady Weatherton blinked back tears that had gathered in her eyes. “Oh my dears, it must have been terrible for both of you. All the years of careful upbringing, only to have this girl fancy herself a servant. If you, Lady Charlesworth, had not become suspicious, it might have been years before her rightful position was restored.”

  Katharine nodded solemnly. “I am deeply grateful to her ladyship.”

  Before Katharine could be addressed further, Lady Charlesworth took charge of the conversation. “But it has all come to a happy end. My son and Lady Katharine have fallen deeply in love and there is to be a wedding.”

  Lady Weatherton brightened. “A wedding? Has there been a date set?”

  “No. But I expect they shall want to be married here in London before the end of the season.”

  Katharine sighed. She would have much preferred a country wedding at the quaint chapel on the Charlesworth estate. Yet, to keep Lady Charlesworth in humor, she was willing to concede on this point.

  “We shall go away to the country for a while to let the dear girl’s mind settle and to make our plans. Then we shall return and be merrily busy upon with the arrangements.”

  Lady Weatherton beamed. “These are most happy plans, indeed.”

  “Yes. We can assemble our guest list while in the country. But we must find a good dressmaker and see to the measurement and material before we leave. Have you any recommendation?”

  “Indeed. I have all of my clothes made by Madame Yvette on Stall Street. She is the best, I believe.”

  “That is very good to know. I have heard of her. Perhaps we shall pay her a visit in a day or two.”

  Lady Weatherton looked pleased to have been of service.

  They took tea with her before departing for a visit to the next lady on the list.

  As they boarded the carriage, Katharine knew that Lady Charlesworth was not going to be pleased by one change in her plans. Nonetheless, it could not be helped. Katharine felt strongly about the matter. So, she took a deep breath and plunged ahead.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “My lady, I must beg that you would humor me in regard to one aspect of the wedding. You spoke of finding a dressmaker. And yet, I have already chosen one.”

  Lady Charlesworth looked surprised and more than a little pleased. “Indeed? I did not know you were acquainted with any couturieres in London. Perhaps she is the one who made your mother’s gowns? Your mother had exquisite taste.”

  “She is Lizzy’s aunt. I stayed with her for the short time that I was away from you.”

  Lady Charlesworth’s usually pale face went completely white. “What? That woman on Cheapside? You cannot be serious.”

  “I am very serious. I would not care if she lived in a stable. She is an exceptional seamstress.”

  Lady Charlesworth fanned herself. “But we will be asked who stitched your dress. What shall I say?”

  For her part, Katharine did not care. However, she did pity the social sensibility of Lady Charlesworth. “We could say that she is the aunt of a most loyal servant whom I insisted upon rewarding. You may lay the blame squarely upon me for insisting upon her services.”

  “I have not told anyone that you stayed there with her. I had hoped to conceal that part of the story.”

  “I see no reason why it need be revealed.”

  “I beg you to reconsider, in fact, I command you to do so. I understand that you are grateful to this woman, but can we not pay her a ten-pound note to satisfy your gratitude? I should be happy to take it
out of my purse.”

  “She would not take it. She takes pride in earning her living.”

  Lady Charlesworth frowned. “This is most distressing. I shall speak to Philip about it. Perhaps he may convince you to be sensible.”

  Katharine knew that she had won the argument. Philip would understand her gratitude and would not care that she wished to engage Mrs. Baker to make her dress. Perhaps if she let Lady Charlesworth have her way with the rest of the arrangements, she would find it easier to accept this one concession.