Charlotte squirmed and averted her gaze. “May we sit?” She nodded toward the sofa and armchairs set around a low wooden table.
Lucas waited until she had made herself as comfortable as she was going to be in the next half hour before he did likewise.
She exhaled heavily and met his gaze directly. “I am so very sorry, Lucas. Please accept my sincerest apologies. But this was the only way to eliminate the doubts my sister had about your feelings for her. And to set matters straight, it was I who convinced her to do this. She was loathe to deceive you.”
“I should have known the truth the moment she claimed she’d made a mistake going back to her husband. I should have known then that that was a lie,” he said softly.
Her gaze dropped to her lap, where her bared fingers were laced together like a prayer.
“Does your husband know anything about this? Does he know you’re here?” Lucas was almost certain he did not.
“Yes, he knows I’m here. I told him about the scheme the minute I received the message from Katie informing me among other things that you had left the house party. Even had things not gone wrong, I always planned to tell him just as Katie was going to tell you.”
“Just when was she going to tell me?” he asked sarcastically. Before or after I took her on the bed?
“I’m sure she would have told you when she thought you’d be more receptive to the truth. We wouldn’t have allowed you to believe that I was unhappy in my marriage.”
Lucas shook his head, weary and stupefied. “But why would you permit this? What if this crazy scheme of yours resulted in gossip about us? Did you even consider that? What it might have done to your reputation?” He was sure her husband would have found a way to blame him for that and would have made every attempt to run him out of England.
“Believe me, no one would believe that you and I were romantically involved. They’d more believe that it was Catherine with you. In any event, we’d have never allowed it to get that far out of hand.”
Lucas didn’t know whether he should be relieved or offended. The notion wasn’t that absurd. He’d had many married women place themselves directly in the path between him and a bed.
“Oh do not look so affronted. You are quite aware of your appeal. It’s simply that no one would believe that I would ever cuckold my husband any more than he would ever be unfaithful to me.”
Oh yes, their undying love for one another, something he himself had witnessed firsthand.
“Oh Lucas, please don’t hold this against Katie. She does love you ever so dearly.”
“Yes, so she proves daily,” he said wryly.
“You must forgive her. I know you are angry now but I hope this won’t cause a permanent rift between you.”
“There is nothing between us now.” Even as he uttered the words, he knew it was his pride talking and not his heart. He wouldn’t be able to evict her from his heart for some time to come. And if the year apart from her was a good gauge for his feelings, he may never stop loving her. Just the thought of being forever without her was suffocating.
Charlotte’s eyes went wide in alarm and she was quickly at his side on the sofa, her hand clutching his arm. “Oh but that can’t be,” she whispered, her eyes imploring, her expression anguished.
“Charlotte, while I can understand a certain amount of wariness on Catherine’s part given the circumstances, but what she did…” All Lucas could do was shake his head. Her actions weren’t a simple matter of having doubts or misgivings. She didn’t trust him at all. And that kind of distrust couldn’t be eliminated by one deceitful event.
“Listen, there are things you don’t know about us—about Catherine. If you only knew, you would understand why this has been so hard for her.”
Lucas straightened, angled toward her, and asked sharply, “What is it that I don’t know?” God he was pitiable but he’d latch on to any reason that would help excuse what she’d done.
“Unfortunately, it is not for me to tell you. But Katie will in time, I am sure.”
Lucas gritted his teeth in frustration. What hope did he have in salvaging their relationship if he didn’t know what he was up against? He didn’t want to be beating his head against a wall, the damn thing felt as if it had been pounded enough in the last day.
Again Charlotte placed her hand gently on his sleeve. “Before we came to live with James, our life was not a particularly happy one. It is not that we wanted for material things. We had it better than most orphans, our father saw to that. But as you know, we never knew him or our mother. Until James learned about us and took us in, the only love we knew was of the love we had for one another. It was only in the past year that I came to realize that an upbringing such as the one we had changes a person. It changes how we see the world and how we perceive love.”
“I am very fortunate that my husband is a patient and forgiving man. And I thank God every day that he loves me despite my numerous faults. I hope you will see your way to forgiving her as I am sure you won’t permit what has happened to mar our friendship?” Her voice rose at the end in question.
A soft light lit her eyes and it blazed with love when she spoke of her husband. Charlotte had never told him why she’d left the marquess on their wedding day. But he knew the man hadn’t known about his son until she’d returned to London.
But whatever the reasons for the breakup, her husband had forgiven her, and Charlotte had never looked happier. Lucas would love to believe he and Catherine could achieve the same level of happiness.
But his doubts persisted. “Yes but what if my actions last evening weren’t enough? What will she do then? God knows the likes of what she will attempt to subject me to. Will I be forced to choose between the two of you, who to save as you both dangle from a cliff, or which to rescue from a burning house?”
The light slap of her hand on his arm brought a small smile to his face.
“You are being silly,” she chided affectionately. “Really, I never took you for a man prone to theatrics.”
“I am quite serious,” he said, his expression sobered. “You would be my sister-in-law. One day I may say something, smile at you in such a way that has her mind conjuring God only knows what.”
A sad little smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. “Do you know what I learned this past year? I learned that true love can and will stand the test of time, distance and human foibles. My husband’s love for me taught me that. It survived my failings as well as his, although mine were by far the most injurious. I pray that for both your and Katie’s sake, yours will as well.”
Lucas wanted nothing more than to believe her but…he’d long ago learned the lesson that one should not wish and hope for someone to change.
Yes, he loved her. But he knew that sometimes loving someone was not always enough.
Two days after the house party ended, Catherine stood beside her friends on the platform of the Reading train station. Accompanying Olivia and Meghan on their hour-long journey to London were their respective chaperones, Miss Thomas and Mrs. Griffin, who chatted amicably with one another, and their three lady’s maids.
The breeze was a cool respite for the hotter-than-usual spring day. The whistle of the coming train sounded in the distance. It should arrive within minutes.
“Will your brother and his family be traveling directly to London from Devon?” Olivia inquired of Catherine as she adjusted her bonnet.
“No, Missy wrote that they would return to the manor first. James may very well end up traveling to London ahead of them. Indeed, sometimes I believe my sister-in-law suffers through the Season for my sake alone.”
“Oh fiddlesticks,” Meghan exclaimed, dismissing the remark. “Lady Windmere is more than happy to do it, after all, she must be in London in any case. She goes where Lord Windmere goes. Everyone knows they cannot be without each other. And what else is she to do in London while he spends his days and sometimes evenings in those tedious parliamentary meetings?”
“With f
our children to tend to and a household to run, I’m quite sure she isn’t sitting about twiddling her thumbs,” Olivia remarked wryly.
“Well that is neither here nor there. All you—” Meghan looked pointedly at Catherine “—need care about is that the family will not be arriving for the next sennight, which will give you the time you need with Mr. Beaumont unencumbered.”
“That is should I be able to get Lucas alone,” Catherine said, careful to keep her voice low. Not that there was any danger of anyone overhearing their conversation. Their ladies maids and chaperones were intent on their respective conversations, paying she and her friends little mind. The other passengers waiting were widely dispersed along the platform in groups numbering two and three, not many it appeared, would be traveling in the first-class section.
“But of course you’ll be able to get him alone. It has been four days. As we speak, the man is probably suffering from a hideous case of Catherine withdrawal.” Meghan’s smile was all affection and encouragement.
Olivia’s eyes—currently violet not blue in the spectrum of colors—narrowed as she shifted her gaze to Meghan. “You know, I believe my brother is perfectly correct in his assessment of you.”
Catherine had never seen a head snap back or eyes go wide as quickly as her friend’s did. Then as if Meghan realized the violence of her response, she did her best to temper it. “And just what does that mean?” she asked archly.
“He remarked that your benevolence towards Mr. Beaumont does not appear to extend to certain males of your acquaintance. Listening to you a moment ago, I was also struck by the same thought. You are quite sympathetic to his cause, as one might say. From that, I can only imagine that you weren’t as kind to my brother.”
Meghan inhaled an outraged breath. “Your brother did not—”
Catherine held her breath waiting for her friend to continue and she imagined Olivia was dangling on tenterhooks as well.
Meghan closed her mouth and angled her head away. The shrill whistle of the train grew closer and the platform vibrated gently beneath their feet.
“My brother did not what?” Olivia probed.
“Nothing. Nothing,” Meghan answered with the finality of jail doors closing behind a man set to hang.
Olivia appeared to take her reply in stride. “Yes well, I guess it doesn’t really matter now. Rhys has set his mind to marrying Miss Bromwell and my father fully approves of the match.”
Catherine had nothing against Miss Bromwell although she was a little young and came across as painfully naïve.
Meghan jerked her gaze back to them, her green eyes flashing, her dark, manicured eyebrows drawn together. “Miss Bromwell? But she is just a child. Barely out of the schoolroom. That would be like leading a lamb to slaughter. A girl like that would be wholly incapable of handling a man like your brother.”
“Young? She is twenty years last month, only four years younger than your or I. And while she may be a tad naïve, she is a lovely girl.”
“She is malleable,” Meghan protested.
“And what is wrong with that?” Olivia asked.
Meghan looked at Catherine as if to elicit her opinion. Catherine wasn’t sure what Olivia was doing but Meghan’s reaction to the news solidified everything she had suspected concerning her friend’s true feelings toward Rhys.
“I agree with Olivia. Miss Bromwell is a lovely young woman. As long as the principals are happy with it, who are we to say otherwise. Who are we to object? We will not be living with the woman,” Catherine said lightly.
If one had blinked, they would have missed the glimmer of cunning in Olivia’s eyes, it was barely perceptible. She nodded at Catherine as if they were two allies in a battle where wits and artfulness were the preferred weapons of choice.
For two heartbeats, Meghan stared at them before saying blithely, “You are quite right. It doesn’t really matter two figs to me. I was simply pointing out issues that may arise in regard to their compatibility.”
Meghan then smiled and it appeared more strained than the footman at the onset of a house party where the guests’ baggage numbered two and three each. “Let us discuss more important matters. For instance, our plans on how you are going to convince that American of yours that he simply cannot live without you.”
The butterflies took up flight in her belly. In the days since Lucas left, they’d gone over the various means she might employ to get him to forgive her and garner his favor once again. Olivia favored the direct approach, which entailed a fair amount of groveling. Meghan, on the other hand, was bent more on seduction. The debate had been lively with various scenarios tossed about.
Catherine had finally settled on simplicity and honesty. She would send him a letter requesting a meeting. Should he agree to that, the rest would depend on his overall demeanor—in other words, she’d revert to the latter if the former failed. She must do what she must with her very happiness at stake.
“And before I forget,” Olivia interrupted. “I received a note from Miss North. She has a young lady who requests our assistance. She wishes that I meet with her tomorrow and settle the matter at Lady Summerville’s after-Easter ball two days hence. I replied that I didn’t see that to be a problem.”
Catherine got a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Suddenly, the prospect of this test on the heels of what she’d just done to Lucas had her rethinking their methods.
Meghan regarded her quizzically as if sensing her apprehension. “What is it, Katie?”
“I don’t know. Now the whole thing just doesn’t feel right.”
“You do see that this is different than what we did to your Mr. Beaumont, do you not?”
Catherine chided Meghan with a look. Were their methods that far removed from how she’d attempted to deceive Lucas?
“I believe what you must ask yourself is who is injured in this? Surely not the gentleman who would dally with a woman when he is courting another. You’ve always said that you believe it’s a woman’s right to know the true character of the man she plans to marry if she so desires.”
Catherine had heard it all before. Indeed, the whole thing had started with her and a small request from Miss Claremont. But now…
She sighed.
“And unlike other services requiring payment with profit their only purpose, ours is purely philanthropic. While there are the women who take to the streets with billboards and rally Parliament to change the laws—God Bless the suffrage movement—there are also women like us whose efforts are far more subtle yet no less meaningful when it comes to a woman’s emotional well-being within the bounds of marriage.”
Catherine shook her head, confused more than ever now for she truly believed the things of which she’d been reminded. “I simply do not know if I can continue flirting and playing the coquette with the purpose of getting men I don’t care for to proposition me.”
“We certainly would not expect you to continue after you become betrothed to your Mr. Beaumont, don’t you agree, Olivia?” Meghan asked, with a glance at their friend.
Olivia shook her head. “But of course not.”
A single lady could cast a broad flirtatious net as long as the men were not married or formally engaged. That was not the case for women similarly committed. But Catherine hadn’t been referring to her now-uncertain betrothal to Lucas, she meant now.
“But I truly believe we are providing the woman a valuable service. No, we are not curing the world of disease or building a school for the poor like you and your brother,” Meghan said smiling, admiration shining in her eyes. “God rest her soul, but when my mother married my father, women had little say when it came to choosing a husband. They were told whom they would marry, and things like affection and love didn’t very much enter into it. It is now 1865 and it is much more acceptable that people—women—marry for love. Our queen loved her husband so much that she refused to leave her residence for an entire decade. Do the rest of us not deserve to experience such a love? Let us face facts, a
gentleman’s claims of love for one woman—his future wife—cannot be believed if he is bedding another. For whatever reason he chooses to marry her, love doesn’t factor into his decision.”
“Catherine, how do you feel now? Now that Mr. Beaumont has turned you down thinking you were Charlotte?” Meghan asked. “Don’t tell me that you don’t feel a great sense of relief now that your fears have been laid to rest?”
“Yes, but—”
“I grant you, your situation with Mr. Beaumont required that he be deceived but that was a very particular circumstance that couldn’t be accomplished without the masquerade. Apart from that, we deceive no one. We smile, we flirt, we comport ourselves like many of the ladies do. How the gentlemen react to us is beyond our control.” Meghan glanced again at Olivia. “Do you not agree with me?”
Olivia only hesitated for a moment before she nodded. “Miss Knight thanks me every time she sees me. She is very happy with Lord Crenshaw and doesn’t regret her decision to reject Lord Sutherland’s suit.”
Suffice it to say, five months ago, Lord Sutherland had followed Olivia to the terrace and Lord Crenshaw had not. The decision hadn’t been a difficult one to make for the current Lady Crenshaw.
Meghan gave an understanding smile. “Let us do this. You shan’t be party to this particular test. The situation with your Mr. Beaumont is clearly too fresh in your mind and has clearly had an unsettling effect on you. Olivia and I will take care of it.”
Catherine nodded, grateful for the reprieve. She didn’t want to disappoint her friends, as she had been the one who had gotten them started on this.
“Wonderful. Now that that has been resolved, you must tell us what you plan to say in your letter to Mr. Beaumont?” Olivia said. “I suggest you begin with the apology and request the meeting after. You might say you’d welcome the opportunity to give it to him in person.”
Meghan’s opposition came with a decisive frown at her friend. Her tone was almost scolding when she rebutted, “Have you forgotten that she’s already begged for his forgiveness and his response was to quit the place before dawn the day after?” She addressed Catherine. “No, if you offer an apology then what incentive does he have to grant you an audience if his anger has yet to abate. I should tell him you need to speak with him on a matter that is of utmost importance. The more urgent the message sounds, the more inclined he will be to agree to come I should think. I firmly believe—”
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