“Your name will protect my sister,” Demetrius offered.
“It won’t protect the rest of your family,” Noah yelled as panic surged inside him. He would have to marry Lady Jillian to protect Rosalind sentencing himself to a life of hell, but what choice did he have? “What of Vicar Grant? What will happen to him and his wife when the church finds out he has lied all of these years? What of your other brothers and sisters? I would not have their lives destroyed because I refuse to marry someone.”
“Felding,” Demetrius said quietly a moment later. “We’ve all known that the truth may come out one day.”
“It isn’t going to be because of me. I can’t do that to Rosalind.”
“You would rather break her heart?” Demetrius asked quietly.
Noah turned away from the man and took a deep breath before blowing it out. No, he didn’t want to hurt Rosalind, but there was no other choice. “She will be far more hurt once Lady Jillian is finished with your family. I will not do that to her.”
The two of them turned and slow walked back to the house.
“Mother used to say that as soon as her belly was empty it was filling again,” Demetrius said quietly.
“You took care of your siblings?”
He simply shrugged. “I was the oldest and when mother wasn’t out, she was sleeping.”
Vicar Grant must have been a godsend to the boy. By the time Grant had entered his life, Demetrius was ten and already head of a house, and seeing to those who were weaker than him. No wonder he was respected as a Barrister. He knew what kind of life most of the accused had come from.
Twenty-Six
Rosalind tried to concentrate on the conversation occurring around her, but her mind couldn’t remain on task when Felding was walking with Lady Jillian. The two seemed to be in deep discussion, and she wanted to know what they were talking about. Were she and Penelope so wrong about Felding’s plans? If Felding wish to call on her, and it wasn’t simple friendship, why was he walking with Lady Jillian?
Lady Jillian left Felding’s side and began walking back toward the manor while Felding turned on his heel and strode into the woods. Rosalind picked up the needlework that she had tried to use to keep her hands occupied and turned from the window. She didn’t wish Lady Jillian to know she had been spying on her and Felding.
Rosalind didn’t glance up until the door opened, and Lady Jillian stepped inside. She contemplated Rosalind before her eyes narrowed as a slow, self-satisfied smile spread on her lips. Rosalind’s stomach clenched, and she went back to stitching.
Penelope leaned over. “What was that about?” she whispered.
Rosalind shrugged, “I haven’t any idea.”
A footman took her pelisse, and Lady Jillian approached her friends or at least the misses who were always with Lady Jillian when she wasn’t with Felding. Her smile grew wider, and she flounced down in the middle of them.
The girls were inquiring about her walk with Felding and asked why she was so happy.
“I really shouldn’t say,” she grinned and looked away.
There were more cries that she must tell them. Rosalind strained to listen, and she suspected Penelope was as well. Rosalind peeked up once and found Lady Jillian looking at her before she glanced away. Whatever it was, she wanted to make certain Rosalind heard as well.
“Well, it isn’t official, but Felding hinted that we are to be betrothed.”
There were squeals and giggles from the misses. Penelope gasped, and Rosalind feared she was going to be ill.
“He must speak with my father, of course,” Lady Jillian continued. “But I can’t imagine my father would reject his offer.”
Questions came from the females of when they expected the announcement, when would they be married, and so forth. It was all Rosalind could do to stay in her seat and pretend as if this didn’t matter to her.
“He still hasn’t spoken to my father,” Lady Jillian said once more and glanced up as the door opened. “And you must promise not to breathe a word of this.”
She straightened as Felding walked through the door followed by Demetrius. Rosalind glimpsed up at them. Both of their faces were grim, jaws tight, and eyes hard. It was completely the opposite of the joy exuding from Lady Jillian.
As soon as the gentlemen exited the room, the misses dissolved into a burst of giggles. Rosalind no longer pretended to sew. Something was not right. What had Lady Jillian and Felding discussed that led to a potential betrothal?
She looked past Lady Jillian and her friends to Lady Meadows, who was sitting with Mrs. Parker. Their faces were set with concern. They both rose. “Lady Penelope,” Lady Meadows called. “I just remembered I wanted to send something to Lady Sandlin. Would you mind accompanying me?”
Penelope practically jumped to her feet. “Of course, Lady Meadows.”
Rosalind wanted to go with them, but as she had not been invited, and remained in her seat. Why had Penelope left her alone with these girls?
The hairs stood up on the back of her neck, and Rosalind looked once again to Lady Jillian who watched her with what could only be described as hatred. “You do understand Felding is mine.”
“Of course.” Rosalind smiled and stood. “I wish you both well.” With that she turned and calmly left the room willing herself to go slow when all she wanted to do was run up the stairs and bury her head in the pillow.
Rosalind was able to keep her composure until she was alone in the chamber she shared with Penelope and the door clicked shut. Covering her mouth with her hand she tried not to let her sobs be heard. Tears rolled down her face at the betrayal. Felding knew all along he was going to marry Lady Jillian. If that was the case, why had he wished to call on her? Why had she been foolish enough to become hopeful?
No! She whirled away from the door. He had kissed and held her but never voiced any words that would make her think he cared.
She fell onto the bed staring up at the ceiling.
Felding knew he was to marry Lady Jillian but wanted Rosalind for a less respectable position, and it made her ill. Memories of her mother bringing men to the house and disappearing into her room and hearing the grunts and groans before the men left a little bit later flooded her mind. Though as a child she wasn’t so certain what it was about, and had accidentally walked in the room once. As an adult she knew. Her mother had been a whore because her family had turned their back on them, and she would be damned if she became a whore herself.
She had a better life, a good position in the Sandlin household, and if Felding wanted a mistress, he could just find someone else.
Tears ran from the corners of her eyes burning a path to her hair. Rosalind bit her lip to keep form making a sound before she finally rolled over, buried her face in the covers, and sobbed until she fell asleep.
* * *
Noah strode into Meadow’s library and slammed the door behind him. “Bloody hell!” he marched across the room and grabbed the decanter of brandy and poured until the glass was over half-full. He was tempted to drink straight from a bottle but refrained. The only thing he wanted to do was get bloody drunk. It didn’t matter that the Valentines were prepared that the truth may be known one day. He refused to be the cause.
How the hell was he going to get out of this mess and by ten-thirty tomorrow?
The door of the library flew open and Penelope marched in followed by Lord and Lady Meadows, Marius Parker and his wife, Lavins and his wife, and lastly, Chambers and his wife. “News must travel fast,” he grumbled and tipped back the glass, taking a long drink. The liquid burned down his throat but offered nothing in a way to calm him.
“What are you thinking?” Penelope demanded.
“To what do you refer?” he countered though he suspected Lady Jillian couldn’t wait to tell her friends even though nothing was for certain yet. She was that confident that she had him.
Penelope narrowed her eyes at him. “Your betrothal?”
“I prefer to call it blackmail.”
The wives of his friends gasped.
“What could she possibly blackmail you with?” Meadows asked. He walked to the sideboard and began pouring a glass of brandy for each person in the room.
Noah took a deep breath. “I cannot tell you because it isn’t about me but someone else.”
Penelope stepped forward tilting her head. “The Valentines?” she asked quietly.
Noah stared into her eyes and offered a quick nod.
Penelope whirled around. “Lady Jillian is such a bitch.”
“Goodness!” Lady Lavins exclaimed.
“Penelope,” Noah warned.
“I don’t care,” she yelled. “I’ve had to listen to her prattle on about nonsense and pretend to be nice and sweet while I have also overheard conversations that showed her true colors.”
“What did you hear?” Lady Meadows settled into a chair.
“Enough that she is threatened by Rosalind,” Penelope answered. “Lady Jillian went out of her way to insult Rosalind when she didn’t think anyone could hear.” Penelope turned back to Noah. “When you showed too much interest in Rosalind and not enough in Lady Jillian, she convinced her brother to entertain Rosalind, woo her, and if he were lucky, would enjoy the same benefits as Thorn,” Penelope bit out venomously.
Rage rolled through Noah wishing he had called the man out.
“My question, dear brother, is what do you plan to do about it?”
He took a sip looking at those in the room who watched him with interest. “If I do not agree to marry her, she has the knowledge and proof to ruin an entire family.”
Some of his friends groaned as others found their seats. If anyone could help him out of this predicament, it was the people in this very room . . . his closest friends save Sandlin who remained home with Phoebe.
“I have until ten-thirty tomorrow morning to give her an answer.”
“She is confident what it will be or she wouldn’t have shared her news with the other young ladies,” Lady Lavin said.
Parker wandered to the shelves and removed a book. “Perhaps this may be of assistance. It always has in the past,” he grinned. In his hand he held The Complete Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault.
“Fairytales?” Penelope question in disbelief.
Noah groaned. “I don’t think it will help in this instance.”
Parker settled into the chair behind Meadows desk and thumbed through the pages. Everyone else simply watched and even though Noah knew it was unlikely an answer would be found, he still hoped.
“Ah, at least I have your moral.” Parker grinned.
“What is it?” Chambers asked.
“There are two actually.” Parker straightened and cleared his throat before he read. “Diamonds and gold, Get us all stirred: But there’s more true worth, In a kindly word.
Penelope looked at him in confusion.
“The second?” Noah asked?
“Though it takes care to show respect, And kindness of your own accord, More often than you might expect, Kindness brings its own reward.”
Noah slumped back against the wall. “Those are no help.”
“Which story is it from?” Mrs. Chambers asked.
“The Fairies,” Lady Meadows answered with interest. “It is about two sisters. One is kind and when she helps an older woman, is gifted such that each time she speaks jewels come from her mouth.”
“The other sister was mean, and didn’t have a kind word to say,” Lady Lavins added. “After seeing what happened to one daughter, the mother sent the unkind sister out, hoping the same thing would occur. But she was unkind to a fairy because she didn’t appear as the mean daughter expected. She was cursed so that serpents and frogs came from her mouth when she spoke.”
Penelope slid into a chair. “I don’t see how this helps.”
“It doesn’t.” Noah sighed. He glanced to Parker. “There is no help from the story, is there?” he asked with hope already knowing there was none.
Parker shook his head sadly.
“I wish I had more time, but I am afraid tomorrow morning is too soon.”
His friends and sister sat in silence. By the serious looks on the faces, Noah knew they were trying to think of some way to get him out of this situation, but he could think of nothing and doubted they would have the answer.
Penelope slowly straightened, a small smile coming to her lips. “There are still three weeks until Christmas.”
Noah nodded.
“Why don’t you invite Lady Jillian and her brother to our house for a few days? They practically pass by the estate on the way to their own.”
Noah didn’t want Lady Jillian anywhere near his home or family. “To what purpose?”
“To buy us time to find you a way out of this predicament,” she declared. “Even though this doesn’t really offer you more time to make a decision, it does delay Lady Jillian’s return home where she will report everything to His Grace.”
Penelope rose. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation or planning. “I’ll write to Phoebe and have her and Sandlin come to the manor. They were going to come for Christmas, so they can join us earlier.” She grinned. “Let your sisters take care of you for a change.”
Noah wasn’t certain they could do anything either, and he didn’t want to see his sisters hurt. “What if she is unkind to your mother or Phillipa?” Lady Jillian was the type of lady who would look down on those who were not perfect.
Penelope’s eyes twinkled. “All the better if she is. Mother and Phillipa can take care of themselves and will not let the likes of Lady Jillian offend or hurt them.”
The idea had merit, and it did offer him more time to find a way out of this unpleasant situation without harming Rosalind or her family. Besides, if Phoebe was at the manor, Rosalind would be there tending the twins. And even if she wasn’t, her home was close enough to visit as much as she wished. “It is a good plan,” he said after a moment before turning to his friends. “However, if any of you think of anything to get me out of this mess, write immediately.”
“I’ll deliver the message myself,” Meadows laughed.
Twenty-Seven
Rosalind stood in the center of the chamber she had shared with Penelope making sure everything that she had brought with her was packed for her return to the Sandlin household. In truth, she was putting off leaving the room. She had not gone down to dinner the night before. It hadn’t been intentional, but after crying herself to sleep, she didn’t wake until the early hours of the morning. Penelope was already in bed, and Rosalind had spent the pre-dawn hours pacing the chamber.
She really didn’t care what anyone thought of her absence or if they would speculate on her behavior. It wasn’t as if she would ever see them again. It did matter what Penelope thought, however, and she hoped she could explain adequately even if she had to circumvent the truth. Felding probably wouldn’t have noticed her absence as Rosalind was almost certain he spent most of the evening with his soon-to-be betrothed.
Rosalind groaned and wandered to the window to look down upon the back, snow-covered lawn.
Felding’s intention when coming here was to court Lady Jillian and securing her hand. The betrothal should not be a surprise, yet it had been. Why had he kissed her? Not once but twice? Did he truly wish Rosalind to become his lover? Did he think so little of her? There was no other explanation for his behavior.
Tears sprang to her eyes again, and Rosalind quickly swiped them away. She refused to let anyone see her cry or allow her face to reveal evidence of such.
Rosalind startled when the door opened, and Penelope stepped inside with a footman following behind. “Are you ready to leave?” she asked brightly.
Rosalind couldn’t wait to be gone from this house. She just dreaded leaving the room not knowing which guests she might encounter along the way. “Yes,” she finally muttered and drew on her pelisse.
“Demetrius is traveling with us,” Penelope grinned.
Rosalind blinked in surprise. “I
thought he would wish to return to London.”
“No.” Penelope shook her head. “He intends to remain with your family until after Christmas.”
A smile formed on Rosalind’s face. Her aunt and uncle would be glad to have him home. “I wonder if the others will be there as well.”
A sly smile came to Penelope’s lips. “From what Demetrius said last evening, I suspect each and every sibling will be in attendance.”
Sadness enveloped Rosalind. “I wish I could be there as well,” she sighed. Her duties were to the Sandlins, and that is where she would spend the holiday. She would not be with her family who she missed desperately and needed to be with, especially now.
“Of course you will be with your family.” Penelope linked her arm with Rosalind’s and drew her form the room. “Phoebe and Taylor will be traveling to our home for Christmas, so you will be close to your family. I can’t imagine my sister not wishing you to spend time with your family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”
Anticipation bloomed. “Do you really think so?” Rosalind didn’t want to get her hopes up, but it had been years since they were all together on Christmas.
“I am certain,” Penelope said as they reached the top of the stairs.
Rosalind looked down and paused. Felding stood in the center of the foyer with Lady Jillian and Broadridge. They were the last people she wanted to see.
“I would love to visit your family,” Lady Jillian gushed. “As I will be living there, it would be nice to see my future home.”
Thank goodness she would reside in the Sandlin household in the future. It was hours from Felding’s.
“I don’t see why we can’t stop off for a few days on our way home,” Broadridge agreed. “It will give us a nice break in the travel, and we be home for the festivities Mother has planned.”
They were going to Felding’s now? At least Rosalind was returning to the Sandlins, and hopefully Lady Jillian and Broadridge would be gone by the time the Sandlin’s traveled to Felding’s.
Lady Jillian linked her arm with Felding’s and drew him out the door. “Do say you will ride in our carriage?”
His Christmas Match (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time) Page 21