If it were only herself to consider, Temperance would have already been halfway down the drive. After seeing firsthand how easily a reputation could be ruined, its value meant little to her. She did not care for how others perceived her. But she did care for how they perceived her family. Lynette had worked too hard and sacrificed too much to have everything she’d gained burned to ash by one careless affair.
“Daisy is the second floor scullery maid, Patrick works in the stables, and Hannah in the kitchen.” Stepping away from the door, Annabel huffed out a breath and walked reluctantly to the pianoforte. Giving the gleaming wooden instrument a guarded stare, she sat behind the ivory keys and began to warm up her hands with a few simple scales. “All of this would not have anything to do with that man you rushed off to meet, would it?”
Temperance’s shoulders tightened. “What man?”
“The one who I purchased the look-behind from. Delilah said you both met him a few weeks ago in Hyde Park. Did you really throw yourself in front of his carriage?”
“Delilah talks too much.”
“Or not enough,” Annabel reasoned. “Who is he? Have you developed a tendre for him? What did he say to you at the festival? Did he remember who you were? What did you say to one another?”
Her head spinning from the ambush of questions, Temperance spun around and glared across the room at her sister-in-law. “You are far too curious for your own good. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“All of the time,” Annabel replied cheerfully. Having finished with her scales after only a few missed notes, she turned to the first sheet of Moonlight Sonata and settled her fingers into position. “This would go easier for both us if you simply told me what has you all in a tizzy.”
“I am not in a tizzy,” Temperance said through clenched teeth.
Annabel snorted. “And I am an expert pianist. Is the second note a C sharp or an E?” She squinted at the tiny notes she had handwritten in between the bars of the neatly printed sheet music. “I cannot tell anymore.”
“A C sharp.”
“Ah.” The blonde nodded decisively. “I thought so.”
As the first strains of Beethoven’s revered composition filled the air, Temperance listened with only half an ear. Which was ultimately for the best, for as many correct notes that Annabel hit there were half a dozen or more that fell horribly flat.
“You really are tone deaf,” she commented once the last strains of the sonata had drifted away. “What are you going to do for the recital?”
Pivoting on her stool, Annabel met Temperance’s gaze and shrugged. “The best I can, I suppose. I have done enough of them for everyone to know what to expect. If they come into it hoping to leave without a splitting headache the fault is entirely theirs. Although I really do think your idea has merit. If I botch it all beyond repair, I doubt Mother would ask me to do another.”
“True. But what about your Father? Will he be upset?”
Annabel grinned. “He hasn’t listened to a recital for three years. Oh, he attends all of them. But before he does he stuffs his ears with cotton. Can’t hear a bloody thing. For all he knows I’ve turned into a prodigy.”
“Seeing as he continues to put cotton in his ears I highly doubt that,” said Temperance dryly.
“True enough.” Annabel fell silent for a moment. “You know you do not have to tell me what is troubling you so, but I really do wish you would. Not only because I want to know, but because I like to think we have become more than just friends. We’re like sisters, Temperance, or at least that is how I view you. I would trust you explicitly to keep my secrets, and I do hope you have the same trust in me.”
When she put it that way…
“I am contemplating having an affair with Mr. Jacobson,” Temperance blurted out before she could stop herself. “And we are supposed to meet tonight after sunset, but now I am having second thoughts.”
Annabel’s green eyes widened to size of two silver shillings. “I knew it,” she breathed. “Well, I did not know it precisely, but I suspected. Oh! This is so exciting. I have never known anyone who has had an affair before!”
“Do keep your voice down,” Temperance hissed with an agitated glance at the door.
“No one is listening.” Annabel waved her hand dismissively. “No doubt they’ve all gone to bed already.”
“Still, I would not care to have it announced throughout the manor.”
“Of course not. That would be rather shocking, wouldn’t it? Can you imagine my mother’s expression? She has taken a liking to you, you know. I dare say this would make her faint on the spot.”
Temperance leaned back against the windowsill as a rueful grin tugged at her lips. “We had breakfast together yesterday morning. She thinks I should start searching for a husband.”
“Good,” Annabel said with surprising vehemence.
“Good?” Temperance’s eyebrows lifted. “How is that good?”
“Well if she is looking for a husband for you she will not be looking for a husband for me.”
“I do not want to marry.”
“Ever?”
“Ever.”
“Why not?” Annabel asked. “I may not want a husband right this moment, but I do think I want one eventually. As long as he is relatively smart and handsome and witty and never takes me for granted or tries to control me.” Her brow furrowed. “Come to think of it, I do not believe I have ever met a man like that. Do you think he exists?”
“No,” Temperance said bluntly. “I do not.”
“Which is why you want to have an illicit affair with a dashing American,” Annabel guessed.
“That is part of it. Although Mr. Jacobson is not dashing so much as gruff and surly. He called me a witch, you know.” Her eyes lit with amusement over the memory. “And he did not want anything to do with me. Not at first. Not until after we kissed.”
“You kissed him?” Annabel gasped. “What was it like?”
“Of course I kissed him. Why would I want to bother having a liaison with someone if I did not know how they kissed? And since you asked, it was rather remarkable.” Her entire body hummed, as though physically acknowledging her words. “Very remarkable, to be honest. I have never kissed anyone like him before. He is so…”
“Gruff and surly?”
“Demanding,” Temperance decided after a thoughtful pause. “And hard. And blunt. And I do not think he likes me very much, but that is why the affair would be so wonderful.” Hugging her arms against her chest, she straightened up. “It would be purely physical in nature. We would not have to worry about what the other person was thinking or feeling. When it is over, we will both be able to walk away unscathed.”
Annabel looked doubtful. “I do not know very much about affairs, but I do not think that is how they are supposed to work. What are you describing sounds cold and, well, rather calculated. Aren’t they supposed to be passionate and romantic?”
“It will be those things as well, I imagine.” There was an undeniably romantic element to dashing out after sunset to meet her lover under the cover of darkness. “But most importantly, it will be temporary. Unlike a marriage, when we no longer have any use for one another we will be able to go our separate ways.”
“But what if you want to stay with him and he wants to leave you?”
“That will not happen,” Temperance said with the utmost of confidence.
“And why not?”
“Because I have absolutely no intention of falling in love and love would be the only possible reason I would ever want to remain with someone as disagreeable and ornery as Mr. Jacobson.”
Annabel pressed her lips together. “From the way you are describing him, he does not sound very nice.”
“He isn’t. But he is intelligent and handsome and somewhat witty. Most importantly, he has no interest in controlling me. I can be myself when I am with him.” I can finally breathe when I am with him, she added silently.
“That does sound nice. Nothing is wor
se than having to politely entertain a gentleman whom you would rather throw out the nearest window.”
“There is only one problem.”
“Only one?”
“Yes.” Temperance bit her lip. “How do I know if the risk is worth the reward?”
“You mean what would happen if you were caught.”
“Exactly.”
Annabel rubbed her chin. “Well, you would be ruined. No question there.”
“It is not myself I am concerned about.” She glanced over her left shoulder. The sun had all but disappeared behind the distant tree line. If she did not make up her mind soon, the opportunity might be lost forever. Hugh did not strike her as a patient man. If he showed up at the bend as he had promised, he would not linger for very long. And if she did not come…well, she had little doubt that he would leave town all together.
At the thought of never seeing Hugh again, Temperance felt an unfamiliar ache deep inside of her chest. Frowning, she looked away from the setting sun. She had just told Annabel she would not fall in love with Hugh. But the truth was she already felt more him than she should have. There was just something about him that pulled at her. Something above and beyond their physical attraction.
Ignore it, she told herself fiercely. Whatever it is, forget it even exists.
“You are worried about your sisters,” said Annabel.
It was not a question.
“Yes,” Temperance replied. “We have already survived one scandal by the skin of our teeth. I would not want to be responsible for causing another. It would break Lynette’s heart.” Just thinking about the disappointment in her sister’s eyes was enough to make her cringe.
“But Lynette is a Townsend now, and if there is one thing we Townsend’s know how to do it is sweeping black sheep under the rug. Have you ever heard about my brother Adam?”
Temperance’s brows drew together. What did Nathaniel’s twin have to do with anything?”
“A little bit. I know he was the one who really ruined my sister, not Nathaniel.”
“Along with a bunch of other women.” Annabel shook her head. “Adam was always jealous of Nathaniel for being born first and inheriting the title. As if it was something he chose.” For the first time that Temperance could recall, Annabel’s face contorted into a scowl. “He always had a place in our family, but he chose to put himself on the outside. Eventually his gambling and drinking and whoring became too much, even for our mother. She has not disowned him, not legally, but he is no longer welcome here. I cannot remember the last time I saw him. I would have been a little girl, no older than ten. Adam was always kind to me, and I never understood how someone capable of such gentle kindness could be so cruel.”
“I am sorry,” Temperance said quietly as she saw the naked pain flash across Annabel’s expressive face. After a moment the blonde composed herself, and even managed a tiny smile.
“I am only telling you this because if Adam could do all of that and not ruin our family name, one little affair is not going to do anything. Oh, it will most definitely ruin your reputation and any future prospects you might have, but if shouldn’t do any harm to your sisters, or my family for that matter. If it comes down to it, we shall simply disassociate ourselves from you. But do not worry,” she said cheerfully, “I will still be your friend and your sister, no matter what.”
Temperance’s drew on the inside of her cheek as she considered what Annabel was telling her. “So you think I should do it. I should have an affair with him.”
“Honestly, I don’t know what you should do.” Her green eyes intent, Annabel met Temperance’s uncertain gaze. “All I know is that there are some women who are not meant to follow in the footsteps laid out for us by the ton. And I think you may be one of them. Do what makes you happy, Temperance. Hang what everyone else thinks.”
“You know,” she said slowly, “I think I will. Life is too short to be burdened with so many rules. Besides, who is say our affair will be discovered? I can be discreet.”
“And I can help you,” Annabel said with a grin. “Did you say you were supposed to meet him tonight?”
“Yes. He is staying at an inn the middle of the village. I went there yesterday. No one saw me, and the inn keeper’s silence was easy enough to purchase. If I wear a cloak and keep my face covered there is no reason I should be recognized. The hardest part will be sneaking in and out of Dunhill.”
Annabel spun a golden lock of hair around her finger. “That should not be too hard. After all, why would anyone suspect you of leaving the manor? You will not be able to go marching out the front door, but there are other ways.”
“Such as?”
A mischievous grin flitted across her lips. “Have you never noticed how close that old oak tree is to your bedroom window? Come on, then. Let me show you…”
CHAPTER NINE
“You want me to do what?” Staring dubiously at the massive branch stretching out towards her bedroom window like an enormous gnarled arm, Temperance shook her head rapidly from side to side and took a step back. She liked to think she was brave, but there was a difference between brashness and sheer lunacy. Meeting Hugh under the cover of darkness was brash…but launching herself out a second floor window and climbing down a fifty foot oak tree?
That was sheer lunacy.
“I cannot do it.” She pulled the hood of her cloak away from her face and spit out a wisp of hair that had gotten stuck in the seam of her lips. “I will break my leg or worse, my neck.”
Transitioning the candlestick she was holding from one hand to the other, Annabel gave Temperance’s arm a comforting squeeze. “You will not break your neck. See how that first branch extends over the second and the second over the third? It is like a ladder. You will not fall, and even if you do the ground is not as far away as you think.”
“Not far away?” Temperance hissed incredulously. “We are on the second floor!”
“Yes, well, that is true,” Annabel acknowledged. “So perhaps at worse you would break your arm. But there really is no other way to get out. My parents have gone to bed, but the servants will be up for another hour and by then it will be too late to meet Mr. Jacobson at your rendezvous point.” She clucked her tongue. “You really should have picked a later time than right after sunset.”
Battling a surge of annoyance that was as much directed at Annabel as it was herself, Temperance took a deep breath. “There has to be another way.”
“Well there isn’t. At least you do not have to climb back up the tree. As I said, just throw a stone at my window and I shall come down and let you in the kitchen door. By then it will be so late no will be awake except for the owls.”
Temperance glanced at the tree. In the shimmering darkness with only a tiny sliver of moonlight to guide her eyes, it looked like a formidable opponent. But if she took Annabel’s advice, and treated the branches like the rungs of a ladder… “All right.” She took another deep breath to calm her fluttering nerves. “I can do it.”
Annabel grinned. “That’s the spirit! I will be here the entire time. Don’t you worry.”
“Easy for you to say,” Temperance muttered before she drew her hood up over her hair and said a silent prayer. Hugh better be appreciative of her efforts! All he had to do was walk down a measly road in the dark.
Clinging to the window sill, she cautiously extended one leg over the edge and searched blindly around until her foot settled on something solid. The branch. Testing it, she gave a few tentative pushes with her leg, but it remained sturdy. It would hold her weight. Or at least, she hoped it would hold her weight. She did not even want to think of the alternative.
“Bring the candle closer,” she ordered. “I cannot see clearly.”
Illuminated in an orangey glow, Annabel’s face popped out the window. Stretching her arm as far as it would go, she extended the candlestick another foot. “How is this?”
“Good enough, I suppose.”
Are all affairs this difficult? Temperance
wondered as she settled her other foot on the branch and slowly began to turn around until the tree was supporting her entire weight. Balancing for a moment with her arms extended, she had a terrifying image of plummeting straight to the ground and splitting her head wide open like an egg. Deep, steady breaths, she told herself. You can do this. It really is not that hard. One step at a time.
Moving inch by inch, she edged her way to the base of the branch and wrapped her arms around the trunk the second it was within reach. The oak was so massive her arms did not even span a quarter of its width, but the added security of having something to hold gave her some much needed confidence.
“I am going down now,” she whispered back to Annabel.
“Good luck!” the blonde called out softly. “And have fun.”
Fun, Annabel reminded herself as she reached for the second branch. This is supposed to be fun, remember? Think of it as an adventure.
The third branch.
You are a princess escaping from a witch’s tower and Hugh is your valiant prince.
The fourth.
Although he isn’t much of a prince. More of a dark knight, really.
The fifth.
And you are hardly a princess. Maybe a–
“Oof!” Temperance hissed as her right heel slipped off the sixth branch and, for a heart-pounding moment, she was in complete free fall with nothing beneath her but air. Before she could so much as muster a scream, however, the ground caught her in its cold, hard embrace.
“Well then,” she muttered under her breath as she clambered to her feet and dusted herself off.
She’d fallen, but thankfully she had been on the lowest branch when she’d done so and the only thing bruised was her ego. Slanting a hand over her brow she waved up at Annabel who promptly waved back before closing the window with a small click.
“Well then,” she repeated. There was a clear path now to the drive and from there it was less than half a mile to the bend in the road where Hugh was supposed to meet her. After climbing out her bedroom window, this was supposed to be the easiest part…but as she faced the shadows and her own self-doubts, Temperance could not help but wonder if it wasn’t the hardest part of all.
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