A Scandalous Deception

by Ava Stone

  “Do I…?” Sebastian prodded.

  Who else was he to ask? Sebastian was trustworthy. He’d poke fun at Fin, but at least he’d get a straight answer from the man. “Do you…Well, do you think Lady Felicity keeps men at arm’s length?”

  “Jealous of someone other than Haversham?” his cousin teased.

  Fin narrowed his eyes on the man. “Stubble it and just answer the question, Sebastian. Lieutenant Avery said something to that affect, but I think I might be too close to her to see it.”

  Sebastian leaned back in his seat, frowning just a bit. “She has a cool air about her, but then she is Juliet Beckford’s sister.”

  Cool. That was not a word Fin would have ever used to describe Lissy. Warm, vibrant, cheerful. But not cool. She was a spitfire, most days. “Just with men or with everyone?”

  Sebastian’s frown deepened as though he was in serious thought. “Men, mostly.” Then he shook his head. “I suppose she could be so with so with women too, but I’ve never noticed it. I never really thought about it one way or the other before now, honestly. She does have a collection of friends, doesn’t she?”

  She did. She had many, many friends. Many female friends. Perhaps Avery had been on to something.

  “What are you trying to sort out?” Sebastian asked, his oh-so-intelligent eyes focused on Fin.

  “I’m not sure,” he replied. And he wasn’t, not really. But even if he was more certain, and no matter how trustworthy his cousin was, Fin wasn’t all that anxious to divulge the inner workings of his thoughts to the man anyway. “Just interested in your take on things.”

  Sebastian’s smirk was once again firmly in place as he chuckled. “She has you wrapped so neatly around her little finger. You don’t even know it.”

  But Fin was beginning to suspect it, not that he would ever admit as much to his cousin. “For a man who spends little time around proper girls, you do have an opinion on most everything involving them.”

  His cousin shrugged. “Proper girls, improper ones. They all have the ability to tie a man up in knots. My suggestion is the same as it was yesterday.”

  Fin barely kept the growl from his voice as he said, “If you mutter those words again, Sebastian, I’ll crash my fist into your jaw just like I did Haversham last night.”

  “There’s no need for me to say it. You’re thinking about it anyway, I can see it on your face.” Sebastian lifted both hands in the air as though to surrender. “Do have a lovely time in Derbyshire.”

  Lissy ambled down the steps of Prestwick House, her maid Annie quick on her heels. They were getting a later start than she’d hope for, but Fin’s coach was now loaded down with her belongings, and she breathed slightly easier when the viscount rounded the carriage, stopping before her on the steps. He reached a hand out to her, and Lissy gladly accepted his assistance.

  “You don’t have to go with me, Fin. I’m certain I can manage on my own,” she said because it was expected. But the truth was, the longer she’d thought about traveling with him to Derbyshire, the safer she felt.

  Fin smiled that reassuring smile he’d always seemed to save for her. “I’m certain you can, but I’m happy to go all the same.” He guided her to the door of his coach and opened it for her.

  Lissy stepped inside the conveyance and claimed a spot on the forward facing bench. Annie followed her, taking the space opposite Lissy.

  Fin glanced back at Crawford on the stoop and said, “We’ll send word about her ladyship once we reach Prestwick Chase.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” Crawford returned. “And please let Lady Juliet know we are all thinking about her.”

  Then Fin climbed inside the carriage and assumed the spot beside Lissy. He rested his arm on the back of the squabs, and she leaned against him, the same way she had when she’d learned of her father’s passing all those years ago. Fin squeezed her shoulder and said, “Everything will be fine. I’ll see to that, sweetheart.”

  And though he was the furthest thing from a doctor, Lissy believed him. Fin always did what he said. She nodded and then closed her eyes, wishing the trip to Derbyshire would take only a few moments instead of a few days. She breathed in Fin’s sandalwood scent and steeled herself for the journey to come as his coach lurched forward.

  Jonathan Heaton couldn’t quite believe his eyes. It wasn’t, after all, terribly often that one saw a ghost. He shook his head, trying to make sense of what his eyes had seen. If he’d been a betting man, he’d have wagered every last dollar he possessed that Mrs. Felicity Pierce had just climbed inside some fellow’s carriage. But Mrs. Pierce was dead. Her body hadn’t been discovered, of course, even after the hours and hours John had spent searching the bay; but it was inconceivable that she was alive. No one could have lost as much blood as Mrs. Pierce had done and survived her injuries. She’d left that despondent note and he’d searched the bay himself for her body until he couldn’t see straight…

  John’s eyes flashed back towards the now disappearing coach. Perhaps the woman was Mrs. Pierce’s sister or perhaps a cousin. The likeness between the two was simply uncanny. Of course, it had been three years or so since he’d laid eyes on Aaron’s English wife. Perhaps the sunlight, so rare here in London the few days he’d been here, was playing tricks with his eyes. That could be the case. In fact, it was most likely the case. So very strange though. Seeing the woman, whoever she was, had made the hair on the back of his neck stand at attention and a shiver raced down his spine. Though ghosts, John supposed, had a way of doing that.

  It was too bad Aaron wasn’t in Town yet. He’d have put John’s concerns at rest. He shook his head to clear his muddled thoughts. Truly, the woman couldn’t be Felicity Pierce. She couldn’t be. That simply wouldn’t make any sense at all.

  Fin was most certainly going to hell. While Lissy was snuggled against his side, worried for her sister, all he could think about was the softness of her breasts pressed against his arm. Thank God Annie was sitting across the coach from them. Her presence would keep him from doing something he shouldn’t, something that couldn’t be undone.

  He glanced down at Lissy’s blonde head, resting against his shoulder, and he sighed. She could be maddening at times, but her heart was always in the right place. She was a loyal friend to those lucky enough to call her such. She was a loving sister, even if she did come up with featherbrained schemes that involved fake betrothals of her twelve-year-old brother. And she was lovely, inside and out. Lovely? She was gorgeous, her image dancing about his mind day and night, tempting him like an ethereal seductress. She was vivacious, energetic, full of life. She was…perfect. Or she would be if she wasn’t Lissy.

  But she was Lissy. The Lissy he’d known all her life. Georgie’s little sister. Georgie. What must she be thinking of this situation? He glanced upwards as though he could spot her peering down at him from the heavens, but all he saw was the top of the carriage. Would Georgie hate him if she knew the thoughts that plagued him? Or would she give him her blessing? Georgie, better than anyone, knew Fin would never hurt Lissy. And she did love her sister, had always wanted the best for her. But…Damn it all, disloyal thoughts such as these would certainly be reason enough for Georgie to curse him to the devil.

  “Fin?” Lissy lifted her head to spear him with her azure gaze. “Are you all right?”

  He blinked at her. “Beg your pardon?”

  She shrugged slightly. “You just seem a bit…tortured. Is everything all right?”

  Certainly, she couldn’t hear his thoughts. “Of course. Of course. I’m simply woolgathering.”

  Her pretty pink lips tilted downward in a frown. “You must have things you’ve left undone to accompany me. I am sorry. I shouldn’t have asked—”

  Fin placed his finger over her lips, halting her from speaking another word. “You didn’t ask, Lissy. I offered. And there’s no where else in the world I’d rather be.” Even if thoughts of her did plague him and even if her mere existence did tempt him beyond measure. He brushed hi
s hand across her soft cheek and added, “So don’t worry about me. All right?”

  Her eyes fluttered shut at his caress as though she was starved for affection, and Fin’s heart squeezed. Lieutenant Avery’s words from the night before echoed once more in his ears. Lissy had endured an unhappy marriage. But had she endured more than just unhappiness? How he would love to know the answer to that question. Broaching the topic of Captain Pierce had never ended well for him, however. She was beyond evasive whenever his name arose. How would he ever find out the truth?

  A soft snore sounded across the carriage, and Fin’s gaze shot to Annie on the opposite bench. The maid’s head rested against the side of the coach and she looked rather peaceful, sleeping so soundly. Damn her. Couldn’t she be counted on to stay awake longer than five minutes?

  Lissy giggled softly. “I should have warned you that Annie snores.”

  Some chaperone Annie was turning out to be...Then again, perhaps Fin might encourage Lissy to talk to him if her maid wasn’t listening in. “Felicity,” he began.

  When Lissy’s blue eyes stared up into his, Fin’s mouth went slightly dry. Damn it all, it was almost as though she could stare straight into his soul. When had she started looking at him like that?

  Fin shook his head, trying to regain his composure. “Lissy, I…”

  “What is it, Fin?” she asked.

  Tell me Captain Pierce treated you well, he wanted to say; but, “I saw Edmund,” flew out of his mouth instead.

  “You did?”

  Well, he had. So Fin nodded. “A few weeks ago, I visited him at Eton.”

  “And?” she asked.

  And nothing. It was just a usual visit. Fin generally saw his nephew every couple of weeks, ensuring the boy took his studies seriously, making certain he behaved in a ducal manner. But he had started this conversation. He had to say something, especially since she was frowning at him. “He was doing well,” he finally said.

  “Is that all?”

  Fin nodded, as there really wasn’t anything else to add. Edmund had been perfectly happy, after all.

  “Glad to hear it,” she said, though her frown deepened as though she was trying to sort him out. “You don’t think Luke sent a note to Edmund, do you? I’d hate for him to worry. There’s nothing he could do.”

  Perfect. Mentioning her brother had only made her think of her sister, which was the last thing Fin wanted to remind her of. He was a damned idiot. Well, there was one topic that wouldn’t lead back to Juliet. “I—um—Well, I owe you an apology, Lissy.”

  At that her brow rose in surprise? “You?” she laughed softly. “Phineas Granard, I don’t recall ever hearing you apologize to anyone. Pray tell, what are you apologizing for?”

  Fin heaved a sigh. He did owe her an apology, he supposed, even if he wasn’t sorry for his actions. Under the same circumstances, he might very well do the same thing again, but she wouldn’t want to hear that. So instead he said, “I shouldn’t have punched Haversham last night.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have,” she agreed. “You made quite the fool of me. I’m certain I’m the talk of the Town this morning.”

  “He’s a dangerous man, Lissy. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” And the man had given his word that very afternoon to stay away from her. Disingenuous blackguard. He deserved to be leveled again, honestly.

  “And you don’t think I can sort out a dangerous man from a benign one?”

  After listening to Lieutenant Avery the night before, Fin wasn’t certain what to think. “Can you?” he asked softly, wanting more than anything to know the answer to that question.

  “I beg your pardon?” Her back straightened a bit, almost as though he’d affronted her.

  But he pressed on, needing the truth once and for all. “I rarely see you interact with men, and that is my fault as I’ve stayed so far away from society. But it’s true nonetheless. I don’t know how well you can size up a man. I don’t know the first thing about Captain Pierce, since you never speak of him. Was he a dangerous man, or a benign one, as you put it?”

  A bit of panic flashed in her eyes, and at once she reminded him of a skittish mare. If they hadn’t been inside a coach, he wouldn’t have been surprised to see her bolt from him as fast as her legs would carry her. “I can’t even imagine what would make you ask me such a thing,” she evaded.

  But it didn’t matter what she said. He could see the truth in her haunted expression, it mirrored the one Georgie had worn all those years ago whenever Teynham’s name was mentioned. Damn it all, how had Fin not noticed it earlier? Because he wasn’t looking for it? Because he didn’t want to know? Because he’d been too focused on his own heartache to notice much else? But he noticed it now and he would never forget it. “It’s a very good thing he’s dead,” he muttered under his breath, balling his hand into a fist.

  The quick intake of air from Lissy made it quite clear, however, that she’d heard him. “Fin!”

  He grasped her hands in his and said, “Death has been kinder to him than I would ever be.”

  Lissy could only blink at Fin. Panic seized her heart and she tried desperately to calm it. Could he see through her? Did he know everything? No. No, he didn’t…he couldn’t know everything.

  He thought Aaron was dead. He just said that very thing, hadn’t he? There was nothing for her to worry about, not really. Fin didn’t know anything. He just thought he did for some reason. Though why he should suddenly take an interest in such a thing made no sense at all.

  “Phineas Granard,” she finally said, “I have no idea what has gotten into you.”

  His dark eyes bore into hers, and for a moment, she thought it quite likely he did know everything. The intensity of his gaze, the anguish across his brow, the sincerity splashed across his face. “You know I would do anything for you, Lissy?”

  He would try, she had no doubt. It was in his nature, his upstanding, honorable, honest nature. Fin would have made the perfect knight in shinning armor during an earlier age. Courtly and noble to a fault. But there was nothing he could do about her present situation. He couldn’t dissolve her marriage. He couldn’t erase the past or her poor decisions. So it was better just to leave things as they were. Sleeping dogs and all that. “I know,” she said, because there was nothing else she could say.

  He stared at her for the longest while, an enigmatic expression in his eyes that made something reverberate within her.

  Tingles rippled across Lissy’s skin and for the first time in her life she was quite jealous of Georgie. Staid, even, boring Georgie who never did anything wrong, who never did anything exciting, who never had any fun at all. But Georgie’d had this man’s love, she still did, and that was more than Lissy could ever hope for. What would it be like to have an honest, kind, gentle man love her? What would it be like to have Phineas Granard’s love and undying devotion? It must be the most wonderful thing in all the world, but she would never know that for certain. Her own foolishness, her own recklessness had decided her fate long ago. And there was nothing for it now. What was done was done.

  Sadness gripped her, and Lissy turned away from the intensity of Fin’s gaze. “If you don’t mind,” she said with more cheer in her voice then she felt, “I’d like to try and finish my novel.” And she reached for the traveling valise at her feet, hoping Annie had packed a book for the journey.

  “Of course,” he replied, his voice so smooth it was almost a caress. “Whatever you want, Lissy.”

  But she could never have what it was she truly wanted. And she had no one to blame but herself. Her fingers touched a leather binding and she breathed a sigh of relief. At least she would have something to distract her from Fin.

  After two days of traveling, focusing on the second volume of Emma was rather difficult. Probably because Lissy could relate to Emma Woodhouse’s desire to see her friend Harriett properly situated, much in the same way Lissy had wanted to help Bella. Hopefully her friend was fairing well under Cordie’s guidance. Emma coul
d have used a Cordie. Of course, Lissy’s opinions on marriage differed to that of Emma Woodhouse’s. Marriage was not the answer to a woman’s problems, sometimes it was the problem. None of that was neither here nor there, however, and not the true reason focusing on the book was more than difficult. Mainly, Lissy’s distraction stemmed from the fact that the longer she sat beside Fin on this journey, the more she realized that he reminded her a bit of Mr. Knightley and the way he scolded Emma time and time again that reverberated though Lissy’s soul. It was difficult trying to put Fin from her mind when Mr. Knightley embodied him so well. And having Fin at her side, while she read about Mr. Knightley, was a bit surreal, to be honest.

  She cast him a sidelong glance to find him—

  “Agh!” Lissy cried out as the carriage suddenly lurched in the air and then landed back on the road with a thud. The book flew from her grasp and she would have fallen from the bench, but Fin’s hand caught her about the waist and tugged her onto his lap, holding her securely against him.

  “Are you all right?” he rasped against her ear.

  She thought she was and she nodded, but then the carriage listed forward and she nearly slid from his lap to the floor.

  The carriage jerked to a stop. Across the coach, Annie woke with a scream; and from his box, the coachman cursed loudly.

  “Good God,” Fin complained. He squeezed Lissy’s waist tightly in his hands. “Still good, sweetheart?”

  She nodded once more.

  “Good.” Fin slid her from his lap and reached for the door. “Stay here,” he said, as he pushed the door open and climbed out of the coach. “You all right, Chivers?” he called to his driver.

  Annie patted the spot on the opposite bench beside her. “Easier to sit here, my lady.”

  That was probably true. She wouldn’t have to struggle to stay upright next to Annie since the coach was listing to that side. Lissy slid forward on the coach floor and then settled onto the bench beside her maid.