The Fallen Woman (A Regency Romance)

by K. L. O'Keefe

  “But, I--”

  “In return, you must promise to keep me company!”

  “I, um…”

  “Do you promise?”

  Mary frowned. Actually, she would have rather washed the linens. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to spend time with Andrew Lamb, she just didn’t think she should. She would hate to fall for him, knowing full well it would be impossible for him to fall for her. He, on the other hand, would be a very easy man to fall in love with. Even an unimpressionable woman like her would have a hard time resisting him. “Mr. Lamb, I don’t--”

  “Mary, please” he whimpered. “Your uncertainty kills me.”

  “What would you have us do together, sir?”

  “We can take a walk in the garden,” Andrew suggested. “I can show you where I found the azaleas.”

  Mary looked down at the flower in her hand. “Alright…”

  “Next time I see you, I’ll hold you to that promise. Good day, Mary.”

  As soon as he said that, Mary spun on her heel and hurried down the hallway, trying to put distance between Mr. Lamb and herself. She didn’t like the dizziness she felt in his presence. She told Leona he was the handsomest man she had ever seen, and it was truer than ever. Mary never expected him to seek her out and engage her in conversation. What was he playing at?

  As she headed down the hall, the door to Leona’s bedchamber flew open, and Leona’s head emerged in the doorway. “Mary! Ah! I wanted to see you. Will you come in for a moment?”

  “Umm… of course.” Mary wondered if her face was still flushed.

  “I’m not keeping you from some important task, am I?”

  “Of course not, my lady. My most important task is to serve you.”

  “Oh, Mary… when you say it like that, you make me feel like I haven’t a friend in the world!” Leona said with a sigh. “These past few weeks, I’ve… I’ve considered you a friend, Mary. You’re my only friend, more or less.”

  Mary stepped into Leona’s room, took a deep breath, and tried to vanquish the image of Andrew’s smile from her head. “What about your husband? He seems to care about you a great deal.”

  “I’m not so sure about that. If anything, I’ve been very unpleasant to him since I’ve been here,” Leona disagreed. “What surprises me more, is… well… I find myself caring for him more than I thought I would.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  “We had a nice time today. He took me to the most beautiful place...”

  “Where did he take you?” Mary asked, though her mind was buzzing with other thoughts.

  “Any description I could provide wouldn’t do it justice. He took me to an old church. It was in shambles, but there was something beautiful about it… it… seemed like such a peaceful place.”

  Mary wasn’t even listening. She looked down at the azalea in her hand, and she nearly lost her breath. Why in the world did Mr. Lamb want to spend time with her? Mary wondered if it was for lack of something better do to. Girls like her, plain and poor, were usually invisible to gentlemen like Andrew Lamb.

  Leona was still talking, “For a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. I felt like I could tell him anything. Lord Randall, he… he really is a good, gentle man. It’s a shame I didn’t meet him sooner. Of course… the way I used to be, I’m sure I never would’ve paid any attention to him. Is it terrible of me to say that, Mary?”

  “No, you’re being honest with yourself,” Mary managed a reply. “Honesty is always good.”

  “Honesty…” Leona sighed. “Poor Tristan. I know I should be honest with him about everything, but I can’t. If I told him everything, his opinion of me would plummet. I don’t think I could stand to see the look on his face if I told him about… well, you know…”

  “You’ll have to tell him eventually, won’t you?”

  “Will I?” Leona asked. “My father didn’t seem to think so. Although… I suppose it would weigh very heavily on my conscience for the rest of my life if I didn’t tell him the truth. Not to mention, I… it would be impossible to execute my father’s plan at the moment, considering the fact that we haven’t… Lord Randall and I haven’t….” Leona laid face-down on her bed and groaned into her pillow. “I’m being vague, aren’t I?”

  “I think I understand what you’re trying to say.”

  “I’m supposed to pass off my child as his! That was my father’s plan,” Leona explained. “But… at this point in time, that would be impossible. I haven’t… we haven’t…”

  “You don’t have to go into any more detail than that, my lady,” Mary assured her, twirling the azalea’s stem between her fingers.

  “What’s that?”

  “I said you didn’t have to go into detail,” Mary repeated herself.

  Leona motioned toward the azalea. “No… what’s that? It’s pretty. Where did you get it?”

  Mary swallowed hard, and her head buzzed even louder. She couldn’t tell Leona the truth, could she? Unlike her mistress, she was terrible at telling lies. “It was a… a gift.”

  “A gift?” Leona pressed. “From whom?”

  “F-from… Mr. Lamb,” Mary stuttered. “I passed him in the h-hallway and… he gave me a flower.”

  “He did, did he?” Leona sat up, looking somewhat revived. “That was very nice of him.”

  “Y-yes, I… suppose it was.”

  “Is that why you’re blushing?”

  “I am?”

  “Like a schoolgirl,” Leona answered with a chuckle. “You’re very lucky, Mary. I wish someone would give me some flowers.”

  “I can pick some flowers for you, my lady. I found some lovely vases the other day. It would certainly add color to your room.”

  “Oh, Mary… you don’t have to do that.”

  “I want to. Having some flowers around the room might cheer you up.” She smiled at her mistress.

  “You really are the kindest person,” Leona said. “I don’t deserve you, Mary.”

  “Nonsense, my lady. I’ll go right now.” Mary bobbed a curtsy and fled from her mistress’ bedchamber. She wanted to be alone—to think about her exchange with Andrew Lamb. In spite of herself, she knew she was nurturing some feelings for him. It wasn’t love, of course, but it was certainly an infatuation. Her thoughts hadn’t been so consumed by a man since she was a little girl. She wasn’t the sort of person to succumb to youthful flutterings of the heart, and yet Andrew--

  “I’m glad to hear it went well, Tristan.”

  It was Andrew’s voice! He was heading in her direction again! Her head went numb at the thought of passing him in the hallway again, so she ducked into the nearest room and waited for Andrew to pass.

  Andrew’s voice continued, “In a way, I wish I could’ve gone with you… although I’m quite sure I would have spoiled the mood. I’ve been dreadfully…” She could only hear parts of their conversation, so she pressed her ear to the door.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Tristan said. “Does that mean you’re going back to London?”

  Their voices stopped right in front of the door—and Mary’s heart missed a beat. They weren’t coming inside, were they?

  “No, I’m not going, even though it’s tempting” said Andrew. “There isn’t much to do around here, and…”

  “You miss the London belles?”

  “Well… yes,” Andrew admitted. “There isn’t much to look at around here, is there? Well, aside from your pretty wife, that is. You know I wouldn't say no to a tumble with a maid, but…”

  Mary’s shoulders fell, and so did her opinion of Andrew Lamb. He had almost fooled her with his saccharine tongue.

  “Well, you won’t be bedding any maids under my roof. I wouldn’t allow it.”

  “Even if I could, I wouldn’t,” Andrew added with a chuckle. “And if I did, I’d have to cover my eyes. The maids in this place are ghastly!”

  Lord Randall and Andrew continued down the hallway, their voices drifting away. She could hav
e listened awhile longer, but she didn’t want to hear any more.

  Sobbing, Mary fell to her knees.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Mary tried to compose herself before she brought the flowers to Leona, but she couldn’t hide her red-rimmed eyes. She kept her eyes on the floor, hoping her mistress wouldn’t take notice.

  “Where would you like me to put the vase, miss?” Mary asked, her voice a bit raspy.

  “Over by the window would be nice,” Leona replied. She had been reading a book, but her maid's rasping voice made her look up. “Is something wrong?”

  “No, my lady, not at all.”

  “Are you sure, Mary?” Leona closed her book and scooted toward the end of her bed, closer to her maid. “Mary… look at me for a moment.”

  Mary placed the vase on the windowsill, but she kept her eyes on the ground. “I’m alright, ma’am. Please don’t concern yourself with my affairs. I know you already have so much to worry about.”

  “Mary…” Leona entreated her, “You’ve been crying, haven’t you?”

  Mary lifted her head and nodded. “Just a bit, ma’am.”

  Leona nearly gasped when she saw the redness in Mary’s eyes, not to mention her cheeks. “Oh, dear… why are you so upset?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Nothing?!” Leona drew a sharp breath when she spoke. “You can talk to me, Mary. If I have the luxury of prattling on and on about my problems to you, I should afford you that same luxury, don’t you think?”

  With a sniffle, Mary insisted, “But I don’t have any problems. Honest!”

  “Don’t be silly. It’s obvious you’ve been crying. Are you sure you don’t want to tell me the reason?” Leona patted the edge of her bed, encouraging her maid to join her.

  Mary seemed wary about sitting on Leona’s bed, as if fearful the blankets would catch her dress on fire. When she took her seat, she lowered her eyes. “I… overheard something.”

  “What?”

  “They were saying something about me.”

  “Who?”

  “Lord Randall and his friend…” Mary swallowed hard. “Mr. Lamb.”

  “What were they saying? It wasn’t anything bad, was it? If they were rude to you, I would have to confront them! As your friend, any insult to you is an insult to me!”

  “It wasn’t Lord Randall, miss. It was Mr. Lamb.”

  “He said something to hurt your feelings?” When Leona saw Mary’s weak nod, she wondered if she should ask for details. She didn't want to make Mary repeat anything that was bad enough to make her cry.

  “I don’t know if I should say any more, miss.”

  “If my husband’s friend is saying improper things where he could be easily overheard, then I most certainly want to know!” Leona exclaimed. “I won’t tolerate that sort of behavior here. I’m the viscountess, am I not? I won’t tolerate bad behavior by any of Tristan’s friends!”

  No matter how much she disliked him, Mary didn’t want to paint Andrew Lamb in a bad light. However, her loyalties were with Leona. If her mistress wanted to know, she felt obligated to tell her. “He said there weren’t any maids worth bedding. He said… he would have to cover his eyes to… to be with me. He said I was ghastly.”

  “He said what?”

  “You’re not really asking me to repeat it, are you?” Mary asked, her voice nearly a whisper.

  “No, of course. You don’t have to repeat it, Mary. I heard you.” Leona rose from the bed with her hands on her hips, looking surprisingly menacing for a girl of diminutive size. “I just can’t believe my ears! I have to make him apologize!”

  “No, please!” Mary gasped. “Don’t say anything! Mr. Lamb doesn’t even know I overheard! I’m sure he wouldn’t have said something like that if he knew I was listening.”

  “But-!” Leona could feel her blood boiling. She couldn’t remember the last time she heard anything that made her so angry. Mary was the sweetest person she had ever known, and Andrew Lamb was a wicked man for saying something so cruel, even if he hadn’t meant for it to be overheard.

  “Please, my lady. You have no idea how mortified I would be…”

  “I can’t let Tristan's friends say things like that. He needs to know how upset I am!” Leona exclaimed. “At least allow me to speak with my husband. I’ll let him handle the matter.”

  Mary wished she had made up some sort of lie, or not owned up to the fact that she’d been crying. She hated to be the center of the attention—she didn’t think Leona would get so distraught about it. “You don’t need my permission. If you want to talk to Lord Randall, then… it’s not as if I can stop you.”

  “But I wouldn’t want to do anything to upset you, Mary. Would speaking to my husband upset you?”

  “I suppose not?” She hoped Leona would pick up on the reluctance in her voice.

  “Even if Lord Randall ends up talking to Andrew about it?”

  Mary thought it was highly unlikely that Lord Randall would confront his friend over a maid’s hurt feelings, so she shook her head.

  “Well, then… I’m going to go to his room,” Leona said. “Mary, please don’t trouble yourself with working for the rest of the day. Just… get some rest.”

  “Oh, but--”

  Mary wanted to explain that she didn’t mind working—it got her mind off her troubles.

  But it was too late. Leona was already gone.

  * * *

  “Lord Randall!” Leona pounded on Tristan’s door. “Lord Randall, are you in there? Lord Randall?”

  After a few seconds of frantic knocking, the door opened. “Yes, I’m in here. Why in heaven’s name did you have you knock so much? Sometimes it takes me more than a moment to get to the door. I’m not as young as I used to be, not to mention--”

  Ignoring his sarcasm, Leona interrupted, “I need to speak to you on a matter of utmost importance! Well… it’s important to me! I don’t know how important it will be to you.”

  “Anything that’s important to you is important to me as well. What’s wrong?”

  “Do you mind if I come in?”

  “Of course not. That’s a silly question.” He moved away from the doorway, allowing her inside.

  When she stepped into his room, Leona was momentarily speechless. The last time she was in his bedroom, she tried to seduce him—and made a muddle of it. She wondered how he would react if she seduced him again. When she looked over at Lord Randall, she nearly forgot her reason for coming.

  “So…” He closed the door and stood in front of her. “What did you want to speak to me about?”

  “It’s about your friend,” Leona began, “I’m not sure I approve of his behavior!”

  “Andrew?”

  “Yes, Andrew.”

  Tristan’s eyebrows simultaneously shot up. “Well… this is a first. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a female complain about Andrew. Women usually fawn over him. Has he done something to offend you?”

  “Not to me,” Leona explained, “to… someone else.”

  “To whom?”

  “To Mary. She overheard him saying something very rude!”

  Tristan had a good memory, so he knew exactly what words might have hurt the girl’s feelings. Andrew could be very thoughtless at times; nevertheless, Tristan felt obligated to defend his friend. “She was eavesdropping?”

  “Yes.” Leona shrugged. “Regardless, I think an apology is necessary!”

  “I’m sorry he said that.”

  “No… don't apologize to me. He owes her an apology!”

  “Right.” Tristan crossed the room and stood by the window, looking down at the garden below. He had never been in this position before: having to side with his friend or his wife. “I’m sure you’re right, but Andrew’s a very proud man. I think it will be difficult to get him to admit his error.”

  “Be that as it may, I think you should talk to him,” Leona said. “If he’s a gentleman, he should set aside his pride and apologize for his thoughtless rem
ark! Mary was crying, you know. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her cry!”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Andrew can be a fool at times.” He turned to look at Leona, and he was undone. How could he possibly side with Andrew when he was looking at Leona and her sad, blue eyes? As adorable as she was, Leona would defeat him every time. “I’ll go to him right now.”

  “Good,” Leona said with a nod. “I just hope Mary won’t be angry with me…”

  “Why would she be angry with you?”

  “Well…” Leona took a deep breath. “She thinks an apology would be mortifying.”

  “If I’m remembering Andrew’s words correctly, the poor woman’s already been mortified. I just hope we can undo the damage. She should be glad she has you to defend her, Leona. You have a very big heart.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  “Thank you, Tristan,” he corrected her with a smile. “When will you ever get it right?”

  * * *

  He should have anticipated Andrew’s reaction. It didn’t take long for his mood to change from fair to foul.

  “Are you serious? You don’t really think I’ve done something wrong, do you? You honestly think I owe her an apology?”

  “Yes, I do,” Tristan said with a sigh. “You should think about what you said.”

  “I never meant for her to hear it!” Andrew shrieked. “Besides… she’s only a maid! I don’t see what the big deal is.”

  “She’s still a woman, and a human being. You’ve hurt her feelings, Andrew. Need I remind you how cruel your words were? If I were you, I would feel terrible knowing someone heard me say such a thing!”

  Andrew looked around the room with fury in his eyes. If Tristan wasn’t standing right in front of him, he would have punched a wall or kicked a chair—anything to relieve his frustration. He’d already ripped off his cravat and tossed it across the room. “I know, Tristan. I know I was cruel… but I didn’t mean for her to hear it! Maybe she shouldn't listen to someone else’s conversations so intently? Maids shouldn’t be eavesdropping and spreading gossip like that!”