Secrets of a Proper Lady

by Victoria Alexander

  “No, the purpose of the evening was to try to engage her affections.”

  “I see.” Warren paused. “And did you?”

  “I think so, to a certain extent. She did seem to like me, as me. But…”

  “But?”

  “But.” Daniel shook his head. “She didn’t react at all as I thought she would when I told her you—me—Warren that is, was married.”

  “You told her what?” Warren bolted upright in his chair. “You told her I was married?”

  “Not you, me pretending to be you. It’s an entirely different thing.” Daniel huffed. “I told her Warren was married—”

  “I am Warren!”

  “You know what I mean. She thinks I’m you so she now thinks I’m the one who is married.” Daniel paused. “With children.”

  “Good God.” Warren groaned. “How many children?”

  “Too many to count.”

  Warren stared. “You just keep digging this hole deeper, don’t you?”

  “Apparently.” Daniel shook his head. “I thought she’d hate him or at the very least be upset when I told her that her lover—”

  “Her what?” Shock sounded in Warren’s voice. “By lover do you mean what I think you mean?”

  Daniel grimaced. “Perhaps I haven’t mentioned that part of all this.”

  “It’s a rather significant part,” Warren snapped. “You seduced her?”

  “I most certainly did not,” Daniel said in an indignant manner. “One could accurately say that she seduced me. She was most…seductive. And persistent. The woman would not take no for answer.”

  Warren raised a skeptical brow.

  “Admittedly I never actually said no.”

  “And that didn’t strike you as unusual?”

  “Not at all. I would never say no in a situation like—”

  “Not you. Her. Her seductive, persistent manner that is.” Warren stared in disbelief. “A well-bred young woman, from all accounts, a virtuous young woman, being most seductive and persistent? That didn’t seem odd?”

  “She was very good at it. Besides, she was swept away by passion. I know I was,” Daniel added under his breath.

  Warren heaved a long suffering sigh. “Go on.”

  “I thought telling her Warren was married would diminish her feelings for him—”

  “For you.”

  “As you, so it scarcely counts.” Daniel waved his glass at the other man. “After all, she’d declared her love for him—for me—and she was willing to give up everything for him—for me.” He sighed. “But she didn’t seem at all bothered by his marital state.”

  “Really,” Warren said thoughtfully. “That is odd. One would think a woman in her circumstances would be devastated to learn the man she loved had betrayed her in such a way.”

  “One would think,” Daniel muttered.

  “Unless of course…”

  Daniel glanced up. “What?”

  “No.” Warren’s brow furrowed. “It couldn’t possibly…”

  “What couldn’t possibly?”

  “Although she is certainly clever enough,” Warren said more to himself than to Daniel.

  “Clever enough for what?” Daniel glared

  Warren chuckled. “That would be too, too amusing.”

  “What would be amusing?”

  “But perfect, absolutely perfect.”

  “What?” Daniel glared.

  “When one thinks about it—”

  “Thinks about what?”

  “Consider it, Daniel. Why wouldn’t the knowledge that her lover is married upset her?”

  “I don’t know.” Daniel ran his hand through his hair. “Because she has questionable morals?”

  “Given the time you’ve spent with her, regardless of the names used, do you believe that?”

  Daniel thought for a moment. “She is somewhat spoiled. But no.” In spite of one rather remarkable night. “No, I don’t think she’s the least bit immoral. She shared the bed of the man she loved, I can’t fault her for that.”

  “Nor should you, considering you are that man. Still, one would expect a revelation of this nature to have a certain effect.” Warren studied his friend thoughtfully. “Unless, of course she already knew the man she loved wasn’t married at all and has known since before sharing his bed.”

  “And how would she know that?” Daniel scoffed. “I’ve become very good at playing you, you know.”

  “I’ve no doubt of it,” Warren said wryly. “Even so, you stumbled onto the truth, are you sure she didn’t as well?”

  “Of course, I’m sure. She couldn’t possibly have known that night. Why, she went on and on about how much she liked the name Warren as opposed to Daniel. Warren, Warren, Warren.” Daniel shook his head in disgust.

  “As if she were, I don’t know, trying to make a point?”

  “Exactly. I can tell you, she was quite obnoxious about it. Did you know the name Warren means loyalty—”

  “Appropriately enough.” Warren grinned.

  “And Daniel means…”

  “And once he’s judged no doubt there will be hell to pay.”

  “Wrath of God,” Daniel said under his breath. Surely she couldn’t have known the truth?

  “What?”

  “Daniel means God is my judge,” Daniel said slowly. Of course, he had known everything. Wasn’t it possible she had known as well? “But she kept saying wrath of God.”

  “Or wrath of Cordelia?”

  Daniel stared. “And she quoted Shakespeare!”

  “The nerve of the woman.”

  “You don’t understand. Every quote had to do with honesty or deception.” Daniel narrowed his eyes. “She knew then, didn’t she?”

  “It would appear so.”

  “It explains so much,” Daniel muttered. Indeed, it explained everything. Her behavior the night they were together, her reactions tonight.

  Good God! He slid his feet off the desk and sat upright. How could he have been so blind? Now that he thought about, it made perfect sense. His spirits rose. There was no need to worry if she already knew the truth. No need to fear telling her what she already knew. The very fact she hadn’t confronted him with it thus far was a sure sign she wasn’t at all upset about his deception. And why should she be? Hadn’t she been doing exactly the same thing?

  Of course, until this minute, it appeared she had been doing it better.

  Daniel smiled slowly. “She’s very good, isn’t she?”

  Warren chuckled.

  “One has to appreciate a woman like that.

  “I would say you are well suited to one another.”

  “I shall have to remember to thank my father.”

  “As well you should.”

  “My family is expected to join her family for dinner the day after—or rather—tomorrow now. Cordelia suggested, since that was to be our official introduction, that we act as if we haven’t met before.”

  “So the masquerade is to continue?”

  “Not a masquerade. At this point, I’d say it was more of a performance.”

  “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Warren grinned. “Shakespeare.”

  “And always appropriate.” Daniel returned his grin. “I find it rather remarkable how one significant piece of information changes everything.”

  “Not everything.” Warren drummed his fingers on his desk. “Don’t forget we’re supposed to sail home in five days. You need to be married by then and in possession of her inheritance if we aren’t going to lose everything.”

  “I love her and I’m confident she loves me. She’ll think it’s quite romantic of me to want to marry immediately.”

  “And what will she think when she finds out about the inheritance?

  “I hadn’t planned on telling her until we were married.” Daniel grimaced. “I can see now that might be a mistake.”

  “You can see that can you?” Warren said mildly.

  “It’s t
ime we were honest with one another.” Daniel drew a deep breath. “She should know about this before we marry.”

  “What if she then decides against marrying you?”

  “She won’t,” Daniel said firmly.

  Warren raised a brow. “You’re certain?”

  “Absolutely,” Daniel lied. He already knew better than to be absolutely certain about anything when it came to Cordelia. Still, he knew he loved her and he didn’t have a doubt that she loved him. “Why is it, Warren, that from the beginning you’ve seen all of this so clearly whereas I haven’t seen it at all?”

  “Daniel, my good friend, any number of reasons. Most importantly, you fell in love with the girl.”

  “The flaw in the plan,” Daniel said with a wry chuckle.

  Warren grinned. “Always.”

  When on occasion one encounters difficulties in arriving at one’s destination in a timely manner, one should always keep one’s wits about her. There is nothing more distressing than the sight of a properly bred Englishwoman in a public display of outrage. No matter how justified.

  An English Lady’s Traveling Companion

  Chapter 16

  Dear Cordelia,

  I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to tomorrow evening and meeting you again for the first time. Without masks between us. Or secrets…

  My dear Daniel,

  Even though it’s a scant few hours until we meet one another again for the first time, I did feel it necessary to share one thought with you about your previous missive. I found it utterly charming and quite, quite romantic. Until tonight I remain,

  Yours,

  Cordelia

  Cordelia clasped her hands together and tried to maintain a semblance of calm. Amelia and Edwina stood a half step behind her, one on each side as if to give her their silent support.

  She and Daniel had agreed to greet one another as if this was their first meeting, which had seemed a good idea when she’d proposed it. It would eliminate any unpleasant accusations on either side in front of their families. Not that he had anything to accuse her of, although admittedly she had known who he was when she’d told “Warren” she’d loved him.

  She heard her father greet Daniel and his family in the front entry. She shouldn’t be the least bit nervous. After all, she was the one who had the upper hand. She knew more than Daniel did and knowledge was a most powerful asset. Still, she wasn’t entirely sure what would happen tonight. Daniel could have confessed everything the night they’d been together. Indeed, he’d had every opportunity then as well as at the ball to tell her. While she was quite looking forward to the look on his face when he realized she wasn’t the least bit shocked by the revelation of his identity, at the moment, she couldn’t help but be a tiny bit apprehensive.

  From across the room, Sarah, standing next to Will, offered Cordelia an encouraging smile. She and Sarah had had a long talk in which Sarah had told her everything that had transpired on the day Daniel had come to call on her and had offered a tearful apology for not telling her sooner. And now they were friends again.

  Her father accompanied Daniel’s father, his stepmother, and another woman into the parlor. Daniel followed a step behind.

  “My goodness,” Amelia said quietly to her youngest sister. “I wouldn’t think marrying him would be much of a sacrifice.”

  “He looks absolutely delicious,” Edwina murmured on Cordelia’s other side. “And just a little wicked.”

  “It’s the scar,” Cordelia said under her breath.

  Amelia snorted. “No it’s not.”

  It was lovely to have sisters.

  From across the room Cordelia’s gaze met his and her heart leapt. She moved toward him.

  “Cordelia,” her father said. “This is Mr. Daniel Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair, may I at last introduce my daughter, Cordelia.”

  “How nice to finally meet you in person, Mr. Sinclair.” Cordelia held her hand out to Daniel and tried to keep her smile from being entirely too satisfied.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Lady Cordelia.” Daniel took her hand and raised it to his lips, his gaze never leaving hers. There wasn’t so much as a flicker of surprise in his dark eyes. Not even the tiniest spark of revelation. “I can’t tell you how eagerly I’ve waited for this moment.”

  Cordelia stared at him. Gone was the endearingly uncertain man of the other night. Here was her pirate. Strong, self-assured, and nicely wicked. A man in control of his world. A man who obviously knew now what he hadn’t known before. A delightful sense of anticipation shivered through her. She wondered how quickly her mother would swoon if Cordelia threw herself into his arms.

  Cordelia smiled slowly. “Might I ask how you acquired that scar, Mr. Sinclair?”

  He lowered his voice and leaned toward her. “Pirating, Lady Cordelia.”

  She leaned toward him. “I assumed as much, Mr. Sinclair. Or do you prefer Warren?”

  He chuckled. “It’s been an interesting game, Cordelia.”

  “Indeed it has, Daniel.” She grinned. “You do realize everyone is watching us.”

  “I do indeed.”

  “They’re wondering what we’re saying to one another that no one else can hear.”

  “And why I haven’t let go of your hand?”

  “And why I haven’t pulled my hand away.” She started to do just that, but he held it tight.

  “Will you marry me, Cordelia?”

  “That’s it?” She shook her head in a chiding manner. “So much potential for romance and that’s all you can say?”

  “I thought the time for games was over.

  “My dear, Daniel, I suspect we will always have time for games.”

  Someone cleared his throat and Cordelia straightened, pulled her hand from Daniel’s, and stepped back.

  Father’s gaze slid from Cordelia to Daniel and back. “Dare I hope this means your correspondence has been successful?”

  Daniel grinned. “I do feel I have come to know Lady Cordelia quite well.”

  “Excellent.” Mother beamed as if somehow this was all her doing and turned toward the elder Mr. Sinclair and his wife. “And you must be Mr. Harold Sinclair.”

  “As much as I would prefer with every passing year to deny it.” Mr. Sinclair chuckled. “Indeed I am. May I present my wife, Mrs. Sinclair—”

  “The soprano,” Amelia murmured from somewhere behind Cordelia. “Felice Di Mecurio. From the ball.”

  “But you must call me Daisy.” Daisy turned to Cordelia and took her hand. “I’m delighted to meet you, my dear, although I must admit you are not entirely what I expected.”

  “Not quite as stout and sturdy as you have been led to believe perhaps?” Cordelia said mildly.

  Daisy stared then laughed. “No, but as clever as I expected.” She leaned close to Cordelia. “I have read your articles and I find them fascinating and most amusing. Perhaps later we can have a long talk about some of the places we have both visited and where we would still like to go.”

  “I’d enjoy that,” Cordelia said with a smile.

  Daisy turned to the striking, red-haired woman at her side. “May I present my sister…”

  The next few minutes were filled with a flurry of introductions. The presence of the Countess Paretti delighted Cordelia’s mother, as having an Italian countess in the family apparently took the sting out of her youngest daughter’s necessary marriage to a common American. Wealthy but nonetheless common.

  Daniel and Will greeted one another and acted as if they too had just met. Sarah caught Cordelia’s gaze and she raised a knowing brow. Cordelia bit back a laugh. Amelia and Edwina, their respective husbands, and Aunt Lavinia were introduced. Explanations were made as to Beatrice’s absence. Aunt Lavinia and Countess Paretti soon discovered they had a great deal in common and knew any number of the same people. The only odd moment occurred when the Sinclairs met Sarah. Daisy slanted Daniel a questioning look. He grinned and whispered something to her. All in all it was a most affable gather
ing.

  Pity it was entirely too small. There was no opportunity to spend any time alone with Daniel therefore no opportunity to discuss anything of a personal nature. Still, they would have time for that. The rest of their lives.

  Dinner was announced and the gathering filed into the dining room in an informal manner, which under other circumstances would have brought a rather pinched look to Mother’s face. But she had earlier said that a certain amount of informality was unavoidable tonight as their guests were American and couldn’t be expected to completely conform to English rules regarding such things. Besides, they were all soon to be family so they should become acquainted with one another.

  Daniel offered his arm to Cordelia to escort her to the table.

  “Of course I will,” she said under her breath to him.

  “Will…” He stared down at her then grinned.

  “Did you have any doubt?”

  “I am fraught with doubt, Cordelia.” He chuckled. But only when it comes to you.” He sobered. “However, there is something I should tell you.”

  “No doubt there are any number of things you still need to tell me.” She squeezed his arm. “We have time, Daniel.”

  “Not as much as you think,” he muttered.

  Cordelia took her seat directly across the table from Daniel, between the countess and Will, her sisters on either side of Daniel. Both sets of parents were seated toward the head of the table. Her mother had arranged the seating with an eye toward conversational groups instead of position, which again went against her innate sense of propriety. Still, from the look on her face, she was pleased by the buzz of congenial, lighthearted discussion that filled the room.

  “Tell me, Mr. Sinclair,” Amelia said the moment the first course had been served. “Do you like children? Boys in particular?”

  “Boys?” Daniel cast a quick glance at Cordelia, who smiled in an innocent manner. “I must confess I have not had a great deal of experience with children, boys or girls, although I was once a boy myself.”

  “No doubt you were quite a scamp as a boy,” Edwina murmured.