To Love a Libertine

by LeFey, Liana

  “I wished to take my leave of you before departing and…” He broke off and swallowed, his skin growing as pale as milk. “And to tell you that I would like an opportunity to speak with you in private when I call this Friday.”

  Oh God. Her heart sank. “I’m sure my stepmother will be pleased to allow us a stroll in the gardens,” she said, feigning ignorance of his intent. Whatever Percy had done, it had gone very badly.

  “That will suffice,” he replied with a brisk nod. “Ladies, I am your servant.” Bowing stiffly, Ravenwood turned on his heel and departed.

  “It looks as if your plan has gone awry,” murmured Genevieve.

  Despite the urge, Eden didn’t turn to glare at her. Instead, she sought out Percy. When she spotted him, her spirits descended further, right down into her toes. His face looked like a thundercloud.

  “Genevieve, would you mind terribly fetching me a glass of lemonade?” she asked as he approached.

  Beside her, Genevieve groaned, but got up.

  “What happened?” she asked when Percy drew near.

  He stood with his back to the room, blocking her view and that of those behind him. “I told him quite simply that I intend to offer for you. I thought my being so direct would dissuade him, but he appears quite determined to have you. He said your parents have already agreed to grant him your hand.” The words were clipped and angry, and his gaze was as hard and black as obsidian.

  “What? But that cannot be,” she breathed. “Neither of them has spoken to me—”

  “Did you really expect them to?”

  Her eyes began to smart. “Yes, actually. That they have not considered my wishes is utterly unacceptable. This is the eighteenth century, and we are a civilized nation. As an Englishwoman, I’ve the right to decline any offer of marriage. Papa can withhold his blessing if he chooses, but he cannot force me to wed if I do not wish it.”

  Percy reached out and grasped her hand. “Then allow me to ask you now, here, in front of all these witnesses and put an end to this charade.”

  “I won’t be twenty-one for another two months,” she said, shaking her head and fighting back tears as she withdrew her hand. “The law is on his side—I cannot marry without his blessing until I am of age.”

  “Then you will come with me to Scotland?”

  Closing her eyes tightly, she nodded.

  “Eden…before we agree to this, I need to know that your feelings for me are—”

  “Eden?” It was her stepmother. She watched as Catherine rudely shouldered her way in beside Percy. “Come, we are leaving.”

  Answering his unspoken question with her eyes, Eden rose. “Coming,” she told her disgruntled chaperone. Thus it was that she left his house with an agreement to elope to Gretna Green and no plan for how to get there.

  Her gaze fell on a bewildered Genevieve as she passed her by on the way out, and hope kindled once more. She’d sent a letter to him through Genevieve once. She would do it again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  How dare they do this to me? Eden fumed in silence as their carriage rolled away.

  “Eden, I don’t want you to see Lord Tavistoke anymore,” said Catherine. “I hereby retract my consent for him to call on you.”

  “Why? He has done nothing to—”

  “I need not explain my decision,” her stepmother interrupted. “And don’t expect your father to support you, should you attempt to go around me. He and I are in agreement.”

  “You needn’t explain your decision?” Eden’s voice rose along with her indignation. “I am nearly twenty-one, not a child. I have every right to know why you are doing this!”

  “Despite your claims to worldly wisdom, you are yet naïve,” her stepmother replied with infuriating calm. “You have no idea how the world functions. Tavistoke is a threat to your reputation at a time when it can be ill afforded. You ruin your other prospects by associating with him. I won’t suffer it the more. He is forbidden to see you. If he shows up at our door, he will not be received.”

  Something inside Eden’s chest tore, and she found it suddenly difficult to breathe. Still, she managed to gasp her objection. “What has he done that has you so set against him?”

  “I have it on good authority he paid a call to Lady Sotheby earlier this week.”

  “What has that got to do with anything?”

  “You should ask yourself just such a question, my girl. Your ignorance has come far too close to bringing about your ruination. There is rumor he and that woman had an affair some years back.”

  “I already told you I am well informed concerning his past.”

  “Yet you seem remarkably oblivious to his present,” snapped Catherine. “The rumor does not stop there. Some have claimed that one, possibly more, of her children are in fact his get. When he attended Sotheby’s funeral, he was seen walking with her youngest apart from the ceremony. Their manner was quite familiar.”

  “He was friends with the family. He remains so. What of it?”

  “One of Lady Sotheby’s servants—a woman who has since been dismissed—said when he visited this week, he brought with him a gift for that child. A rather expensive doll. She also said their parting was marked by the child’s tearful unrest for the remainder of the day. The girl is being sent away to a school on the other side of the country. It is my belief she is his daughter. A child sired on a woman married, and right under her husband’s nose. Now tell me you wish a union with such a man.”

  “You are refusing to receive him on the basis of such hearsay? You don’t know if any of it is true!”

  “I don’t need to know. That other people think it so is enough. I want no part of his scandal,” said her stepmother, her voice becoming shrill. “You will have nothing further to do with him. Is that clear?”

  Eden refused to speak.

  “You need not answer, for I will see my command enforced with or without your consent. If you violate my edict, you will be sent away in disgrace.”

  “You would denounce me? Ruin me rather than see me marry him?”

  An exasperated sigh burst from Catherine’s mouth. “When will you see he is merely toying with you? Despite your optimism, he has not yet asked for your hand, has he? No. And he shan’t. Even if he did, I would not give my consent. Not after hearing of the Sotheby cuckoo.”

  There was no use arguing about it, Eden knew. Her stepmother’s mind was clearly set in stone. “You cannot keep me prisoner forever. I’ll be twenty-one in two months’ time.”

  Catherine’s lips thinned to a grim smile. “By that time, he will have moved on—and so will you. This is for your own good, my dear. You will see it one day, and you will thank me for it.”

  Eden clamped her mouth shut and refused to utter another word. She’d already said too much. She ought not to have reminded her stepmother of her impending birthday. Now they were set against each other with a ticking clock hanging above their heads. Catherine would pressure her to accept Ravenwood’s offer once he made it. If they’d already granted him their blessing…

  She must act now, before he could propose.

  Three hours later, Genevieve looked at the sealed missive in her hands with wary eyes. “Eden, I’m not quite certain this is the right way to handle your situation.”

  “It is the only way,” Eden hissed, pushing her friend’s hand down to conceal it from any prying eyes that might be looking on from the windows above them. “You must see this reaches Lord Tavistoke—in secret like the last time—and as quickly as possible. My future depends on it reaching him in time.”

  “In time?” Comprehension dawned. “You mean before Lord Ravenwood’s visit.”

  “Yes. I must be gone before he can propose. My parents do not yet know I’ve accepted Lord Tavistoke’s offer, and they must not until after I am wed.”

  “Then he has proposed! Why not simply tell them?”

  “I cannot. My stepmother has told me neither she nor Papa will give him their blessing. Until I am twenty-one, I
require it to marry. Percy told me Ravenwood boasted they have already given it to him—without even asking my consent.”

  “They cannot force you to marry the man against your will.”

  Eden’s stomach knotted. “I’m not so certain of that. Catherine has Papa so tightly bound I suspect he will disown me if I don’t cooperate. Percy could never marry a woman cast out in disgrace, even if he is the cause of it. Scotland is the only way.”

  “You love him.”

  Tears welled in Eden’s eyes. She could not answer, not without accepting it as fact, and fear would not allow her to do so until she wore his ring. If she let herself love him fully and then lost him, it would destroy her. “Genevieve, please…”

  Nodding, her friend tucked the letter into her pocket. The two embraced.

  “When it is away, signal me from your window. I’ll be waiting.”

  Several hours later, there was still no movement at Genevieve’s window. Lunch was eaten in silent haste. When she returned to her room to look out at her neighbor’s house, however, there was still no candlestick on her friend’s sill.

  She debated the wisdom of packing her valise now and hiding it beneath the bed. If her maid should find it while tidying the room during the dinner hour…

  Best not take any chances.

  As well, a valise might be too bulky and noisy during an escape. A pillowcase would better serve. A brush and some hair accoutrements would be needed. She’d wear a morning gown to allow for the lack of a proper corset, though one would be taken along with her rose silk manteau. Percy could help her dress for their wedding.

  A flush rose to warm her face, and she smiled at the flutter of excitement in her belly. A cloak would be needed. The days might be warm enough up north, but the nights would be cool. She’d wear her riding boots. No one would see them beneath her gown. Her jewelry and what coin she had would fit in a pouch tucked into her bodice.

  As soon as her maid left the room tonight, she would gather what was required. The thought of traveling with so little was a bit scary, but with Percy it would be an adventure.

  The minutes ticked by slowly. Still, Genevieve’s window remained unadorned by any candlestick. Had she forgotten?

  “Eden.”

  Yelping, she turned, hand at her breast to calm the heart that had just tried to leap out of her throat. “Catherine! Heavens, you gave me such a fright. I did not hear you…come…” The words shriveled on her tongue at the look of cold anger on her stepmother’s face.

  “Lady St. Claire called a little while ago to relate to me an alarming tale and to deliver this into my hands.” She held up a distressingly familiar piece of parchment, its seal broken. “I’m sure you can imagine my shock upon learning of its origin and intended destination.” Looking down at the page, she read, “St. James’s cathedral, the second hour.”

  Cold inched its way up Eden’s spine. She could do nothing but stare at her stepmother as her plan unraveled before her eyes.

  “I can only assume you intended to run away with Tavistoke—as if a marquess would do such a thing.”

  “He asked me to marry him weeks ago,” Eden replied with as much dignity as she could muster. “But I knew you and Papa would not agree, so I bade him wait until you could be persuaded to see reason. When you set Ravenwood on me, I knew that day would never arrive. Percy told me the man boasted of having been given Papa’s blessing to marry me. I tell you now, I won’t do it.”

  Her stepmother hardly blinked over the news of Percy’s proposal. “Tavistoke is mad, Eden. Not only mad, but depraved. I cannot allow you to drag our family into his scandalous life. Your brother—”

  “Is only eight years old!” Eden raged. “By the time it matters, no one will remember to attach a scandal to his name if you will simply allow me to marry Percy properly. I would never have thought of elopement had you been reasonable concerning him.”

  “I will not argue with you about that man, Eden. You will not see him again, and that is final. Ravenwood is coming Friday to ask for your hand. You will accept his offer with a smile, and you will marry him.”

  “Why are you so set upon having him?” she asked, determined to know. “At least allow me to choose another groom if I am not to wed Percy.” It would buy her precious time. “I do not want Ravenwood, and I won’t marry him.”

  “What you want is not important.” Catherine’s words cut like a whip. “He wants you, and you must marry him. He will provide a good life for you, Eden. A home into which you can welcome your guests without wondering what they really think of you and your husband. A name free of scandal. Ravenwood was a bit wild in his youth, but he is now ready to set all that aside to carry out his familial responsibilities—as you should be. This business with Tavistoke is over.”

  “I won’t—”

  “You will!” shouted Catherine. “Tavistoke is nothing more than an infatuation. That he asked you to marry him is a miracle, I will grant, but news of it comes too late. Your father has made a bargain with Ravenwood, and our family will honor it.”

  Ice formed in Eden’s innards. “A bargain? What bargain?”

  “I don’t like speaking of this with you, but you obviously need to know in order to understand your position.” Her stepmother drew herself up and continued in a hushed voice. “You have almost no dowry to speak of. Your father’s habits are those of a gentleman, a necessity in order to keep up appearances with his peers. Such habits have of late exceeded funds, and we are in debt. Serious debt. Ravenwood is willing to accept you and to absolve it, all of it, in return for your hand and an heir.”

  “What?” Eden croaked as nausea threatened. “And Papa…Papa agreed to this?”

  “He did.”

  She swallowed hard to dislodge the painful lump in her throat. “You’ve sold me.”

  “Oh, Eden, stop it!” her stepmother snapped. “Our position is dire. Ravenwood offered us a way out of our troubles. He fancies you, and he’s a decent, honorable young man. What more can you ask for in a husband?”

  A ripping, tearing sensation began in Eden’s chest. “I would ask for love!”

  “You really think Tavistoke that taken with you? Even after all I’ve said?” Catherine moved closer, all the anger bleeding out of her expression. “My God, you think yourself in love with him.”

  Though she refused to speak, inside something broke. The thought of being forever separated from Percy was too much to bear. Tears spilled from her eyes.

  “Oh, child,” sighed Catherine, coming to frame her face with cool palms. “You know nothing of love, not really.”

  “I know I can marry none but him.”

  Catherine’s eyes closed. “You can, and you must. If you do not, it will be the ruin of us all. Ravenwood knows of our situation. He will remain silent as long as you agree to become his wife.”

  She had to ask. “How did he find out?”

  “Your father was fool enough to confirm the information our former solicitor gave the man. That was when Ravenwood made his offer.”

  “I have nearly sixteen thousand pounds of my own, including the money Mama bequeathed me. If that is not enough, Percy would gladly gift Papa the rest. I know he—”

  “It is too late for that, even if you could guarantee such a thing. This is our lot. Your lot, Eden. You must learn to live with it and make the best of it. There are many who would find your position enviable.”

  Anger poured into Eden’s torn heart. “My lot? You’ve made it my lot. You are forcing me to accept a man I find repulsive and abandon the one I—” She closed her eyes for a moment to regain composure. “How is that in any way enviable?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “I will not marry him. Cast me out if you want. I don’t care. I won’t be used in this manner to satisfy a debt created by another’s lack of good judgment.”

  Catherine’s face did not change. “Then we will all suffer, you included.” She cocked a brow. “And what of your brother? He is innocent in all of this. What happens to him when w
e are destitute? When we are forced from our home?”

  “That is not my concern. I am not his parent.” She weighted the statement with accusation. “Papa—you, both of you should have considered that when you decided to keep up appearances instead of retrenching and living within our means.”

  “And do you think you would have attracted the notice you have this Season if we had done so?” Catherine’s quiet question was a slap in the face. “We pretended everything was normal in order to provide you this chance. Our labors, our sacrifices, have come to fruition in Ravenwood’s offer. If we don’t harvest it while we can, all will be lost. You and I as well as your father will be forced to find work. Work, Eden. People like us are ill-suited to labor.”

  “It’s that bad?” It came out as a whisper.

  “He owes nearly forty thousand. Ravenwood offered him fifty in exchange for your hand.”

  The floor suddenly felt very far away.

  “We cannot sell Holker Hall, as it is entailed,” continued Catherine. “The sale of this house and everything not entailed would diminish our debt only by half at best. This is necessary, Eden. You must marry him.”

  A buzzing began in Eden’s ears, and with it numbness slowly spread throughout her body, settling in her limbs like some horrible paralysis.

  “Finally, you begin to understand,” said Catherine, peering into her face. “I regret that you cannot have what you desire, but it was folly to desire it to begin with, you must agree.”

  No. She could not.

  “Ravenwood will come tomorrow. You will accept his proposal. If Tavistoke attempts to call, your father will speak on your behalf and tell him you’ve accepted another offer.”

  “I accepted Percy’s offer first,” Eden said woodenly. “Does that count for nothing? What of my honor? We have pledged ourselves to each other. We are engaged.”

  Her stepmother’s eyes bored into her. “As he did not request your father’s blessing, it—”

  “He was doing so when you deliberately sabotaged him!” Rage swelled within her. “Don’t deny it.”