Olivia cried out, rushing to her side. “Dearest what is it?”
“Oh, Liv,” she whispered. “It is all done. It is all over …”
“What do you mean?” cried Olivia, wild-eyed. “What are you talking about?”
With a trembling hand, Emmeline reached for the fallen letter, handing it to her sister.
“Read this,” she whispered. “It is from Lady Henrietta. And she knows everything about the affair that Benedict and I had … all those years ago.”
Chapter 21
Emmeline staggered to the bed, falling upon it. Her mind was awhirl screaming in pain and confusion. She saw Olivia take the letter to the window, where she read it quickly. Her sister’s lips were tightly pressed together, and she was pale.
“Oh, dear Lord,” whispered Olivia when she had finished the letter. She glanced at Emmeline. “How does she know? There is such detail in here. But it happened so long ago.”
Emmeline pressed a fist into her mouth, biting down. Somehow the action helped anchor her to the moment. She needed to think clearly, but it was becoming more and more difficult. Her heart was fluttering with distress, and her breath coming in small gasps.
“Emmeline?” Olivia’s voice was gentle but firm. “How does she know?”
With difficulty, she sat up, gazing at her sister. “How can I know? It all happened so long ago, as you said.” She took a deep, ragged breath. “I thought no one was aware of our affair. No one at all. Benedict said that he had told no one – not even his uncle – and I certainly did not confide in a single soul. Not even you.”
Olivia sighed, reading the letter again. “She says she has proof, and that she can produce a witness,” she said, tight-lipped. “It might be a bluff, but considering that she has so much detail.”
Emmeline took another deep breath, desperately trying to control her breathing. “It is no bluff. Everything she says is true down to the last detail.” She held out a hand to her sister. “Give me the letter, Liv.”
Olivia silently handed her the letter. Emmeline tried to focus on it. For a moment, the neat handwriting swam before her vision. She struggled before it all started to make sense once more.
My dear Miss Vaughan,
You shall no doubt wonder why I am writing to you so hastily. After all, we have only just taken our leave of each other after the Vickers’ house party. I am afraid I am not writing to extend courtesies.
It has come to my attention that in the spring of 1815, you conducted a clandestine affair with Lord Benedict Montagu while he was in residence at his uncle’s home. I have proof of it, and I also have a witness, so there is no need to go through the laborious process of denial. I have all the facts and am not shy about revealing them.
My witness attests that Lord Montagu would climb into your chamber window at Lambeth House after the household was abed. He would spend a considerable amount of time alone with you in your chambers. The witness also attests that they heard sounds that indicated you were intimate, in a way that an unmarried lady should not be with a gentleman. This happened many times over a four-week period before ending abruptly with Lord Montagu’s departure from this district.
My witness has proof, which is now in my possession. As I am a lady, I shall not be explicit about what this proof is but suffice to say it proves conclusively that you are no longer a maiden, Miss Vaughan.
You no doubt have noticed that Lord Montagu and I have become close since his return to this district. So close, in fact, that I have high hopes of a proposal from him very soon. Mark my words, Miss Vaughan, I want that proposal. I wish to become Lady Montagu.
The only thing standing in my way is you. I noticed from the start there seemed to be a connection of sorts between the two of you, which you both sought to suppress. This sparked my curiosity. I did some digging and discovered your affair but kept my counsel about it. I did not wish to use it against you unless absolutely necessary.
The Vickers’ house party convinced me that I should reveal my knowledge to you. One evening I happened to be gazing out of my chamber window and saw the two of you sitting side by side in the gardens dressed only in your night attire. This convinced me that you were rekindling your connection, and very soon, I might be cast aside. I could not have that.
If you continue to encourage Lord Montagu in his affections towards you, I shall write another letter to your good parents informing them of everything. I know that you would not want such a thing revealed, Miss Vaughan. It would destroy your reputation, and there is no telling how your parents would react to such shocking and awful news. Your hopes of a fine marriage with anyone would be immediately dashed.
Think carefully, Miss Vaughan. I trust you will make the right decision.
Yours Faithfully,
Lady Henrietta Wynn
Emmeline’s eyes filled with tears as she crumpled the letter in her hand.
Only a short time ago, she had been talking with Olivia about their renewed love. She had just been intending to tell their parents about it. It had seemed that against the odds, all her dreams were coming true. And now, they were lying in ashes at her feet once again.
“What are you going to do?” Olivia’s voice pierced her reverie.
Emmeline eyed her sister helplessly. “What can I do? She vows she will tell our parents if I do not discourage Benedict.” She sobbed. “I will be ruined if such a thing happens. You know that as well as I do, Liv.”
Olivia slowly sat down on the bed next to her sister, her face grim.
“Yes,” she said, shaking her head. “I agree that our parents cannot know about this. They would be livid, Emme. It goes against all their Christian values. And we both know how conservative they are on such matters. Remember how they reacted to what happened to poor Miss Norris?”
Emmeline gazed miserably at her sister. Miss Jane Norris had caused a scandal in the district over a year ago. She had conducted an affair with a local gentleman, becoming with child. The gentleman had disowned her and the child, forcing Jane to flee the district in shame. Emmeline’s mother had been vocal in her disgust about Jane’s behaviour. And Emmeline’s father had stoutly declared that if Miss Jane Norris were his daughter, he would stone her in the streets.
“Yes, I remember,” said Emmeline in a faint voice. “I remember it very well, indeed. There is simply no way this can become known to them, Liv.”
Olivia shook her head again. “No, they cannot get a whiff of it. I fear they would send you to a nunnery, Emme. And I have no desire for such a fate to befall you.”
Emmeline sobbed again. “Then I have no choice in the matter,” she said in a strangled voice. “I must end things between Benedict and I before they have even really begun again.”
“I could strangle Lady Henrietta Wynn,” declared Olivia angrily. “How dare she play with people’s lives like this? Why does she think she has the right to tear apart two people who are so deeply in love?”
Emmeline shrugged sadly. “She believes that if she does so, she will have her way. It is that simple for her.”
“She is the immoral one,” asserted Olivia, her eyes glittering furiously. “And it is all just a gamble for her, anyway. Even if you end things with Benedict, she will not necessarily become his wife. He is in love with you. He will not have anything to do with her for love or money.”
“I suppose she is willing to risk that,” said Emmeline, with a heavy heart. “She is willing to do whatever it takes to secure her chance. All is fair in love and war.”
Olivia took her sister’s hand. “This breaks my heart, Emme. You have loved each other for so long … you have only just been reconciled … and now this!”
“Perhaps it was never meant to be after all,” said Emmeline, as fresh tears started to flow. “Maybe too much time has passed, and we missed our chance.” She exhaled slowly, gazing sadly at her sister. “We are agreed that our parents must never know about the affair?”
Olivia frowned, sighing heavily. “What if I forewarn
ed our parents, telling them that even though you did conduct a secret affair all those years ago, Lord Montagu’s intentions are now honourable, and you shall soon be married?”
Emmeline regretfully shook her head. “It would not work, Liv. You know it would not. They would still be appalled and outraged that I am no longer a maiden and went behind their backs in such a way.” She paused. “Besides, even if it did work, we both know that Lady Henrietta would not leave it at that. She would announce it to the world, and our parents would be shamed beyond measure. There would be a scandal.”
Olivia was silent for a moment, absorbing this. She did not look happy.
“No, I must accept it,” continued Emmeline, her heart lurching with sorrow. “I have no choice. She has me in the palm of her hand.”
Olivia’s face twisted. “I cannot believe she is doing this to you. I always thought her a shallow and superficial woman, but I never suspected she was a ruthless one as well. If only Benedict had not flirted with her so openly … if only he had not given her such cause to hope.”
Emmeline shrugged helplessly. “It is done now. As I said previously, we cannot undo any of it.” She took a deep breath, turning to her sister. “Benedict must not know about any of this, Olivia.”
“You are not going to tell him what she is doing?” Olivia’s sounded outraged. “You are just going to let him think that you have got cold feet?”
Emmeline nodded, her heart twisting. “It is better this way. If I tell him, he will be furious, but there is nothing he can do to change any of it.” Her heart fluttered with distress. “It would be better if he believes that I have changed my mind. That way, he can go forward and leave me behind. It will be a cleaner break for both of us. What good is it if we are both just yearning for what can never be?”
“I do not like it one little bit,” spat Olivia, her chest heaving. “The fact that she is doing this at all is abysmal. She must know that she will not get what she wants. Benedict will never marry her. No, her only motivation now is to ruin any chance of happiness you both have. And that fact alone shows what a horrid person she truly is.”
“Yes, she is indeed a despicable person,” agreed Emmeline. “To have even thought to do such a thing. To make enquiries about me for her own twisted purposes.” She sighed. “Liv, how has she found out? Who could this witness be?”
“I will ponder it,” said Olivia darkly. “And if I discover who it was, I swear I will flail them alive.” She paused, her eyes widening. “It cannot be anyone who is still in service at Lambeth House. They would fear too much for their livelihood. No, it must be someone who has either left our service or who visited the house at that time.”
“I suppose it does not matter now.”
“It does matter,” asserted Olivia stoutly. “And I will get to the bottom of it. I vow it to you, Emme.”
Emmeline smiled tremulously at her sister. Olivia’s declaration was sweet but did not change a thing. Even if she discovered who had played Judas, the damage was still done.
She turned her face away. “I think I should like to be alone now, Liv.”
“Of course, dearest,” said her sister, standing up. “But do not forget I am not far away. I shall be back at your side in a heartbeat if you need me.”
Olivia kissed her softly before walking out of the room. Emmeline curled up into a ball on the bed. She almost wished she had been given no hope at all rather than have it snatched away so cruelly. She didn’t think she had ever felt so desolate in her life.
Chapter 22
Emmeline smoothed down the creases in her gown with trembling hands as she gazed out the drawing room window. She felt so sick it was all that she could do to remain upright. Benedict was due to arrive at any moment now, and she must convince him that she had changed her mind about them, that she no longer wished to marry him.
She took a deep, tremulous breath. It was not going to be easy. In fact, it was going to be the hardest thing she had ever done in her life. Her courage was wavering from moment to moment, but she knew that she simply had no choice. If she did not do it, then Lady Henrietta would make good on her threat and inform her parents about their affair.
She had already written to the lady informing her that she would do as she bid. She would break all contact with Benedict. And now she must do it. Benedict thought he was visiting Lambeth House to ask her father’s permission for her hand in marriage. She must circumvent that happening as soon as he walked through the front door.
She turned around, gazing uneasily at Olivia, who was seated on the chaise longue. She had already planned it all with her sister. As soon as Benedict arrived, Olivia would greet him, steering him into the drawing room before he had a chance to request a meeting with their father. Emmeline would talk with him here in her sister’s presence. She would make sure they did not have one second alone with each other.
Her heart twisted with angst. That it had come to this. All she had desired from life was to be his wife. They had finally found their way back to each other and declared their love again. And now it was all being torn away from them once more in the cruellest of ways.
Life was so arbitrary, she thought despondently. Circumstances beyond their control had led to their parting. And now circumstances were ripping them apart once more.
She turned back to the window to resume her vigil. Her heart twisted when she finally saw him riding into the estate atop a grey horse. It was the first time she had seen him since the house party where they had declared their love for each other again. When they had dared to hope of finally being together.
She turned to Olivia. “He is here.”
Her sister nodded, getting up and leaving the room without a word.
Emmeline took another deep breath, trying to gather her courage. It was time.
***
He looked a bit unsure as Olivia led him into the drawing room, but his eyes lit up when he saw Emmeline standing near the window.
She took a deep breath. “Lord Montagu. It is a pleasure to see you.”
He smiled in a puzzled way. “As it is to see you, Emmeline.” He strode over to her, gazing down at her with a tender expression on his face. “I have been counting the hours until I could see your face again.”
Her heart flipped over in her chest. She smiled tightly. “Would you care to sit down? Olivia is just about to pour tea for us all.”
He nodded, gazing at her carefully. She tried to ignore him as they both walked to where Olivia was pouring the tea. Emmeline indicated where he should sit before she sat beside her sister opposite him.
“How do you have your tea, My Lord?” asked Olivia.
“Black with a twist of lemon,” replied Benedict. But he kept staring at Emmeline.
Olivia prepared the tea for them all, and they all took long sips. There was a strained silence in the room. Emmeline could tell that Benedict was already bewildered by what was going on. He had obviously expected a more effusive greeting from her.
“Is your father at home, Emmeline?” he asked, giving her a sharp, knowing look. “I really would like to see him before we go any further.”
“Our father is out for the morning,” said Olivia pleasantly. “As is our mother. Only Emmeline and I are here for your visit, My Lord.”
“Indeed,” said Benedict, raising his eyebrows. He turned to Emmeline. “I thought we agreed that I should speak with him.”
“You requested it, My Lord,” said Emmeline, her heart thumping in her chest. “But unfortunately, it was simply not possible.” She took a deep breath. “I do not think you would have anything to say to my father, anyway.”
“What do you mean?” He stared at her, clearly shocked. “You know very well what I wish to speak to him about.”
A Lord's Flaming Return: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 15