Natalia’s Secret Spinster’s Society (The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book)

by Charlotte Stone

  “Lorenzo… Zed, you were but a boy. You can’t be blamed for what happened. Our father was a horrible man, but that’s not you.” She went over to him and placed her hands on his arms. “I admit there’s much I don’t remember about that night, even though what I do seems to be stuck in my mind.”

  He took her hand and led her over to the single chair by the fireplace. He knelt on the floor and folded her hands in his. “What do you remember?”

  Leah was forced to look away. “I was in the wheat field that stretched from our property to Julius’. I’d taken a lantern, though I can’t remember why I was there.”

  “You said William was coming,” Zed told her.

  She nodded. “But I don’t remember why he said he would.” She turned to him. “It wasn’t to kill me.”

  “Of course not.” Zed touched her cheek. “William loved you even then. It was likely to protect you and make sure you were all right.”

  She smiled until the memories of that night returned. “I remember screaming. There was so much screaming and the cracking of guns and then you were there. You were covered in blood.” She froze and touched him. “You weren’t hurt, were you?”

  Zed shook his head. “It wasn’t mine. Go on.”

  She shook her head. “That's all I remember.” And now she knew that all these years her mother had been paying guilt money. It was why she’d allowed Sarah to keep the necklace of jet stone. “Do you think that sort of evil is in us?” she asked. She now knew what her father had planned for his own nephew. Her mother as well. The thought made Leah ill.

  “I don’t know how you can ask that question when you’ve dedicated yourself to seeing it put to rights,” Her brother squeezed her hand. “You’re better than all of us, Tally.”

  She smiled. “I couldn’t have done it without you.” Had he not gone to England when she’d sent him, they may have never reached Sarah in time.

  “On to the next adventure, it seems.” Zed’s eyes were warm but couldn’t hide the pain.

  Leah’s heart became full of her own sadness. “If you told Julius who you were, you could take your land back. It’s rightfully yours.”

  Zed shook his head. “I lost my rights to Quigley House that night.”

  Leah didn’t understand what he meant by that, but he was on to another subject before she could stop him.

  “I spoke to William. He asked me for your hand.”

  Her spine locked. “What?”

  He smirked. “Don’t worry. He doesn’t know who I am. He likely thinks I’m simply being Zed, who’s been known to annoy the men.”

  Leah placed a hand on her racing heart. “You scared me. What did you say?”

  He kissed her hand. “I said yes, so if it is what you want, you have my full support.”

  Leah looked away and then stood. “I wouldn’t feel right doing this without him knowing our history. How could I be married to a man and he never know the truth?”

  Her question hung in the air.

  Zed said, “Then tell him.”

  She spun around. “What?” She frowned. “But you said—”

  “He won’t hurt you,” Zed rose and touched her shoulders. “He’d never hurt you or do anything that would put you in danger.” Zed shook his head. “I don’t know what it is, Tally, but it’s as though you two were meant for one another.”

  Leah felt the same, but she didn’t want to be Leah Wells. She wanted to be Natalia Tift. “He may not hurt me, but he could hurt you.”

  “Not if I’m not here.”

  For the second time that day, Leah was speechless. Then she gathered Zed into her arms and said, “Don’t say that. Never say that.” Tears burned in her eyes. “You can’t leave me. Swear you won’t.”

  He, too, had tears. “Don’t worry, Tally. I’d never be far, but yes, I wouldn’t be able to see you every day. With us being so close, it would only be a matter of time before the men put it together.” He ran his hands through her hair and said, “Besides, your hair is too distinct. William would know the night he bedded you.”

  Her cheeks inflamed once more, and she knew Zed to be right. She’d thought about simply wearing the wig for the rest of her life but knew that would be hard. “Where would you go?”

  He straightened. “I’m a man who speaks four languages and had formal education all the way up to fourteen. I can easily find work, Tally.” He leaned forward and kissed her head. “I’ll be around. I promise.”

  “Don’t leave without telling me,” she whispered.

  “Never.” Then he turned toward the door. “Dinner starts soon. You’d better get ready to meet your new family.”

  William’s family would be there. She’d almost allowed herself to forget it. She wondered what his grandmother had said to William’s parents. Naomi seemed nice, however. Leah slipped her wig back on and rushed to the door. She hugged her brother once more. “You’re my family.”

  He returned the hug. “Always.”

  * * *

  .

  .

  .

  * * *

  * * *

  .

  .

  .

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  .

  Someone had purposely sat Leah by Mercy Padureani, and yet while William continued to disarm her with grins every so often, Leah was sure that her place had been planned by Grandmother Mercy herself.

  The woman hadn’t asked any hard questions so far. They were on the third course when she asked, “Is it usual for French girls to learn so many languages?”

  This seemed to draw the attention of her side of the table. She’d been introduced to William’s parents, who both seemed lovely. William looked like his mother but somewhat like his father as well. The combination had made him the most beautiful man at the table. He sat at the head, his father and mother on one side with her directly on his right. Her placement had made the Spinsters on the other end giggle with laughter, because if anything, William was making it clear that he wanted her at his side.

  And she had no desire to be anywhere else and was sure she never had. Almost two decades apart and now they were together again, though that would be her secret for a time. Just long enough for her to ensure access to Zed. After he’d left her room, she’d begun to work out a plan. She would see that Zed found a new job in the city and a position where he’d likely never run into the Brothers or the Spinsters again. Then she would wait a month and tell William. By that time, she hoped that everyone would have forgotten her connection with Zed so that she could visit without suspicion.

  How long the ruse could go on, she didn’t know, but it was all she had for the moment.

  As their plates were carried away, she said, “I didn’t have a normal childhood. My mother taught me what she’d learned from her parents until she secured a job as a housekeeper in a wealthy home. After proving both her and my intelligence, her employer saw no reason to keep me from learning what the tutors in his home were already teaching.” And that was at least the truth. Those first few years in France had been hard, but like Zed said, education could help one achieve many things.

  “How marvelous,” Mercy said. “And you believe women should be educated.”

  “Of course.” And then Leah spent the next few minutes speaking about her work at the Spinster House. It was only seconds later that she felt a hand come to rest on her thigh and immediately all her attention became centered on him.

  She glanced at William. His green eyes weren’t even on her. Instead, he faced his parents, giving her a view of his handsome profile, but she knew where his mind was. She slid her hand under the table and placed it over his. She squeezed his fingers and he returned the gesture, only doing so to her thigh. Fireworks went off in her blood, pounding between her legs.

  “What?” Mercy asked.

  “Hm?” Leah couldn’t think. Her fingers trembled as they reached for her glass. She took a sip and then put the glass down just as William’s hand began to move farther up. More sho
cks rocked her body, and Leah wanted to curse him just as much as she wished to beg him to touch her most intimate place.

  “Mrs. Wells,” Mercy called. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes.” Then Leah sighed as the dessert portion came out. She had to fight to suppress her grin as William’s plate was placed first.

  His hand stilled on her.

  His father leaned over and asked, “What is that?”

  Leah bit her lower lip.

  William’s plate was different than the others. Leah had actually employed Clara to see to the switch since she was small enough to get in and out without being seen. Glancing down at Clara, who sat across from Naomi, she saw the girl holding in her own smile.

  “What is that?” Mercy asked.

  William finally answered and, when he did, his voice was rough. “Prune and current pudding.” He wasn’t smiling, and his hand slid away from her as his attention became focused on his plate.

  Leah stilled and realized she should have thought this plan through more.

  “What?” Naomi asked. “I’ve never heard of such a combination.”

  Julius spoke from the other end. “That was my mother’s favorite dessert.” He didn’t seem pleased by the idea.

  In fact, none of the men did.

  Morris leaned on the table to stare down the row at William’s plate. “I never liked that particular dish.”

  “Neither did I,” Frank straightened. “I didn’t know you still ate it, William.”

  “I don’t.” He looked up and down the table at the men. “I always hated it.” His hands fisted at the sides of his plate.

  “You did?” Julius asked surprised. “One would have never known. You always finished your portion.”

  “I was hungry,” William told him. “I always finished anything that was placed before me, and I never wanted to tell anyone, because I didn’t want to offend.”

  Leah realized her biggest mistake immediately. She’d thought his hate for the dish common knowledge. After all, he’d shared it with her. It was one detail she recalled from those letters he’d sent to her from Eton.

  Her gaze went to the corner where Zed stood. His eyes were already on her and it said everything. They were caught.

  “This was meant in jest,” William said.

  Yes, it had been meant in jest, though it seemed there would be no laughter on her part or anyone else’s.

  “But who knew about the dish?” Julius was on his feet and circling the table. “Let me try it. Perhaps you are wrong.”

  “I’m not.”

  Still, a footman handed Julius a dessert fork so the marquess could taste it.

  Julius made a face. “It tastes just like my mother’s.”

  William’s eyes went to his family. “Please excuse us.”

  Mercy asked, “What’s going on? It’s just pudding.”

  William looked at her. “Grandmother, I need you to leave the room.” He spoke gently, but firmly.

  Mercy held his eyes and then rose. Naomi was right behind her. His parents were just as confused but left as well.

  Leah started to rise, but William’s hand had once again slipped under the table. His grip on her—that had once caused pleasure now caused fear—was unyielding.

  “I should leave,” she said.

  His eyes went to her. “No. Stay.” It was a command.

  Leah looked at Zed and her eyes begged him to leave, but he gave a simple shake of his head and crossed his arms. He would go nowhere.

  Clara stood. “Should I leave?”

  Leah turned to William to find him watching her.

  “Should she?” he asked her.

  Leah froze and, at that moment, she had no clue what he was thinking.

  Lorena spoke from her end of the table. “I’m going nowhere. What is going on?”

  Her friends all agreed, and by now the Brotherhood had moved to William’s side to stare at the pudding.

  Leah turned to Clara. “Go.”

  The girl fled.

  “Servants should leave,” William said aloud.

  The footmen left, including a reluctant Zed after Leah begged once more, and then the door was closed.

  Leah pressed her back into the chair and tried to disappear, but William’s hand was a firm reminder that it was of little use.

  William looked at his plate again and said, “I’ve been a fool.”

  Leah struggled to pull in air as her heart fought to leave her body. She gripped the table lightly and prayed she’d pass out.

  “What’s going on?” Julius asked. “Who made this dessert?”

  “The same woman who stopped the blackmailer,” William looked at Julius and then the other men. “I never told you how I found Sarah Douglas.”

  The Brothers looked around at one another.

  Sophia asked, “Who’s Sarah Douglas?”

  Her husband answered, “She was a maid in Julius’ home.”

  Genie frowned. “Why would a maid blackmail Julius?”

  Lorena lifted her hands. “I think we need to hear this from the beginning. What blackmail?” Her eyes moved everywhere and then landed on Julius. “Are you all right? Is this what all the secrecy has been about?”

  Julius couldn’t meet Lorena’s tender gaze. “Yes. All the secrecy is because of me.”

  Calvin cut in, his hazel eyes worried. “Are we doing this right now?”

  “Yes,” William said.

  “With her in the room?” It was Hugh who spoke, and he was looking at Leah.

  “Yes,” William said again as he lifted his gaze to her. “She should be here.”

  They stared at one another for a long moment.

  Frank broke the tension. “Very well. Let’s do this.” He fell into the chair William’s father had previously occupied. “But someone please remove the pudding. It’s turning my stomach.”

  The men all agreed, and the dish was taken away.

  Leah wanted nothing more than to be the pudding at that very moment.

  * * *

  .

  .

  .

  * * *

  * * *

  .

  .

  .

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  .

  William removed his hand from… Leah… and placed it on the table. The men stood beside him while the woman sat at their end of the room. No one moved or spoke for a moment.

  Emmett turned to Lorena. “I wanted to tell you so many times, but—”

  Lorena shook her head, her eyes worried. “Just… say it.”

  Emmett blinked, and William felt for his friend, except the woman he’d planned on marrying had already known the truth and had kept it from him. She’d kept everything from him, and he didn’t understand why.

  He allowed his anger to cool as Julius started. He moved closer to the middle of the room and placed his hands behind his back. “As you all may have known, my mother hated me.”

  The women watched him and then looked at one another, neither confirming nor denying anything. The Spinsters were a secret society in and of themselves. William had no clue what they did or didn’t know, nor did the rest of the men.

  Julius went on. “What I’ve never mentioned was the fact that she wanted me dead.”

  There were gasps.

  Some of the women looked away and a few others covered their mouths.

  Genie whispered, “No.” Her green eyes were full of sadness. “I’m sorry, Julius.”

  “And glad you’re alive.” Lorena placed her hands on the table. “I don’t understand. Why? How?” She couldn’t understand why a mother would hate their child.

  Julius went on, because as the men agreed, it had always been his story to tell. “To this day, I have no clue, but she was mad, and it’s believed that she might have been the one to kill my father as well. The doctor said his heart failed, but none of the men in my village could be trusted.”

  There were more looks of pity and Genie started to cry. Francis was t
here to gather her in his arms. Lorena wiped at her tears but forbid Emmett from moving forward with a lifted hand. “Please, go on.”

  William looked over at Leah to find her staring at him. She was likely wondering what he planned to do with her. He was wondering the same.

  “My Uncle August had always wanted the title but being a second son kept it out of his reach. So, he went to war and returned a hero. Some of the men he’d met during the fight had returned with him and moved into our village. There was peace for a while. The soldiers soon gained positions of power. My uncle became magistrate. It was later I found out that my mother and Uncle August were planning to kill me with the help of the men from the village. They were going to cover up my death and make it look like an accident, as though a pack of Roma had broken into the house, destroyed everything, and left me for dead.”

  Alice shook her head. “You mean your mother and a grown man planned to set a group of soldiers on a little boy?”

  “My mother was mad,” Julius said. “I was twelve and a good shot, thanks to my Uncle Perry. He was my father’s youngest brother and had taught me how to defend myself just in case.”

  Sophia sighed with relief. “At least you weren’t alone.”

  Julius shook his head. “No, I was not.” Then he looked at the Brothers. “My uncle planned to kill me the day after my house party ended. When I found out the night it would take place, the men in this room decided they would help defend me.”

  “How?” Lorena asked.

  “We hid in the wood and arrived before the men did,” Emmett said. “We hid, waited, and then killed them all.” His gray eyes said nothing as he held her gaze.