“Debra, follow your brothers out to the carriage.”
“Yes, Papa.” She used the term that always made her father melt. At this moment, her father’s face stayed hard as though he’d ignored the term of endearment while he continued to stare at the ground where she’d lain next to Lord Trenton. “Papa, I promise you I am whole.”
“We will discuss this at home, Debra.”
Understanding he had to process the scene he’d walked in on, she limped after her brothers. She took one last look at her father to see he was still staring down at the ground where the blanket lay. It wasn’t wise to speak to him. She’d have to be a fool to think her father wouldn’t force a marriage now. It was not wise of her to lay next to Lord Trenton, no matter how cold they’d both been. Trenton’s death would have been tragic, but from the expression of disgust and anger on her father’s face, it would have been preferable. Even her death would have been a source of comfort over ruin.
No one spoke on the ride home. Her father stared out the window of the carriage, Samuel and Leigh kept their eyes adverted, and Lord Trenton remained unconscious his head on Samuel’s shoulder. Debra chose to look out her window noticing the crunch of the frozen earth beneath the wheels and the dripping rain on the brush. She needed to get her head on straight and determine answers before they arrived home and her father found his voice.
When the carriage stopped, she didn’t wait for anyone to help her as she rushed from her father and brothers as fast as she could with her injured ankle. Debra made it to the entryway when her father spoke.
“Debra, make yourself presentable and be in my den in an hour.”
“Yes, Papa.”
Chapter 9
Waking in a strange room was unsettling to Alex, until his valet came into view. He couldn’t remember arriving at this place, and although he’d just woken, he was still exhausted, and his body hurt.
“My lord,” David said approaching the bed, “how do you feel?”
Alex closed his eyes before pulling himself into a sitting position. “I do not think I can express how terrible I feel.”
“You have been ill, sir.”
“Where am I?” He wasn’t sure why his memory was so foggy. Last he remembered he was in a barn with a young woman. She’d been a vexing woman at that, but beautiful.
“Woodland Manor, my lord.”
Alex shook his head trying to clear the fog, which managed to cause the pain to sharpen but this time in his head. It was as though a needle pierced straight through his forehead. As thoughts formed, he tried to organize the memories. Forcing himself up from the bed, he ventured over to the washbasin and looked in the mirror to see dark lines under his eyes as though he hadn’t slept. Splashing water on his face to bring color back, he asked, “What happened to me?”
Alex ignored the answer, as he remembered the bitter cold wet clothing. He rubbed the exhausted lines as though they would smooth, and his face would look normal. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Two days, my lord.”
“Is Lady Debra here?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I’ve been out for two days?” He rubbed his hand over the stubble of hair on his chin, he needed a shave. When his stomach growled, he found his way to a chair. Weakened from his adventure, food was forefront in his mind.
“Your father and the Earl of Norwood have held many discussions on the situation since your arrival.”
“My parents are here?” Alex turned to his valet and motioned for him to help him dress. “Why?”
It was now David’s turn to give the questioning eye raise. “Your family was invited to attend the house party, my lord. Your parents arrived before you. Also, there is much to talk about considering the circumstances.”
Memories of the discussion at Whites between him and Samuel and also the knowledge of his parent’s plans came back to his muddled mind. Thinking over David’s words, Alex caught the last statement. “What circumstances?”
“I will allow the duke and the earl to share the details with you.” David walked away so he wouldn’t have to answer any more questions. Alex was used to his valet deferring to the duke when a difficult situation was ahead of him.
“One would think, as my valet, you would prepare me for the conversation ahead.” It was as much a rebuke as an invitation for the valet to speak, which he didn’t. Alex washed his face again and waited for his valet to shave him. “I should be able to depend on you for information.”
“I do not have anything to share.”
“Why is it a secret?”
“My lord consider the day you arrived in the Isle of Wight. It should not take you long to realize what they are discussing.”
“Lady Debra’s reputation.” Alex let the words linger in the air as he absent-mindedly dressed. He’d known the minute he chose to stay in the barn he’d have to offer for her hand. But now the reality of it was crashing down on him. His father was making arrangements with her father. When he was dressed, he looked to David and asked, “Where can I find the duke?”
“I believe he is in the earl’s library.”
Without another word, Alex decided his exhaustion and hunger would have to wait. He walked to the door. Then realizing he had no idea where the library was located, he turned back to David. “Will you take me there?”
“Yes, my lord.”
There wasn’t much time to think before they reached their destination. He would have to offer for Debra’s hand before he was forced to do so. Fleetingly, his mind went to Debra and her condition. He wondered if she had been as sick as he.
Alex cleared his throat as he entered the library not caring to knock. He was self-conscious as he saw not only their fathers, but mothers as well, and then he recognized Debra. She sat in a very stiff chair as though being interrogated. This was the moment he’d dreaded, the moment he’d have to give an accounting of his time with the earl and countess’s daughter.
“Alex,” his mother said crossing over to him. She kissed his cheek and took his hand in hers. “We did not expect to see you this morning.”
“I have a feeling I am an unwelcome guest to the earl and countess. Thank you for your hospitality and care,” Alex said with a nod in their direction. He saw a striking resemblance between Debra and her mother. The main difference was their hair. Where Debra’s was dark red, her mother was blond.
“We owe you much for helping our daughter. You kept her warm and safe. We were worried about her and we are thankful to have her back.” The earl’s words did not match his tone. He sounded defeated.
Alex nodded his voice caught in his throat. He looked to his father to see his reaction. Was the stern look on his face disappointment? Was it anger? He didn’t know. As an earl his father had expectations for his marriage, would this include the youngest daughter of another earl who hadn’t yet entered society? Alex would be the Duke of Waverly one day, and his marriage would be a large event, or so he was told. If he married quietly and without the fanfare of meeting during the season, people would talk. No matter what they did now, Debra would take the brunt of society’s gossip.
She was too young to be ruined. If he’d been stronger, he wouldn’t have been in this conundrum. The Earl and Countess of Norwood were friends of his parents. Neither should be too angry over a union. Their families would be tied and stronger with the marriage.
Alex noticed the paper in Lord Norwood’s hand. It must be important, or so it seemed. Knowing his duty, Alex took a deep breath. Somehow, the words were difficult to form. He wasn’t ready to marry a woman he didn’t know, and his heart was still broken over Margaret.
“Alex,” his father said, “you have been through a terrible ordeal. Take time to rest. I will make arrangements for Lady Debra.”
“What arrangements?” Alex turned to Debra to see if she would give him any indication of the current discussion. But she sat silent with her head down. He noticed how proper she looked in her dress with her hair pinned. The innocent
chit he’d met in the barn sat before him yet looked injured as though a rebuke occurred.
“Debra will stay at Woodland Manor. She will not enter society this year. She will not participate in the house party.” His father sounded bored as he said the words.
“You plan to keep her locked up?” Alex asked running a hand through his hair. His valet wouldn’t be happy with his blatant disregard for the time it took to make him presentable. “I was certain an offer of marriage would be expected.” He’d finally said the words and the relief of having them in the open and the possibility of not having to marry made his heart light but leaving Debra out of society was not appropriate.
“As was I.” Norwood said ignoring the duke. Holding the paper in his hand so Alex could see it, he continued his angry rant. “My daughter’s reputation is at stake.”
“The only people who know what happened, in full, are in this room. There is no reason for either of our children to rush into a marriage.” Waverly spoke with precision and chose each word with care; Alex knew it was a rehearsed speech.
“Perhaps not for your son. But my daughter does not deserve the ruin cast upon her. If you will remember, she saved your son’s life.”
Alex turned to see if there were anything Debra wanted to say, yet she continued to sit in a very still and quiet manner. He wondered what could have occurred to put her in such a mood. The woman he remembered from the barn would have some sort of an opinion about her future.
“Father, I must agree with Lord Norwood. I have a duty to Lady Debra.”
“I will not have my son and heir marry to prevent a scandal.” His father was a strong man, but the current look on his face revealed an older man who looked worn down. Scandal, although worse for the lady, would still be a trial for his family.
“Waverly, I understand you have animosity regarding the situation, but my daughter is ruined.”
“But I am not ruined!” Debra stood before them, every bit the woman he met in the barn. “I am whole and discussing me as though I do not sit in front of you is hurtful.”
“No one denies you are whole.” Lady Norwood took hold of Debra’s arm to pull her back to the chair. “Emotions will not help determine the right course of action.”
If this were true, then Alex would need to leave the room as he was ready to burst with emotion. Perhaps it was the exhaustion from being ill, but he had a hard time keeping his tone calm. Knowing his duty didn’t make it easy to do.
“There is no need for either one of these children to throw away their lives.” His father’s words added another sting to the wound. They were now considered children. Just a week before he had his parents’ agreement for an engagement to Margaret, and they’d been proud. Now they were disappointed.
“We are not children.” Alex tried to keep anger out of his voice, but it was difficult with the words his father spoke.
“I agree, they aren’t. By the standards of society, they are adults and fully capable of correcting this wrong.” Lord Norwood held the paper up again. “I have a letter of intent to harm my daughter if her reputation is not restored.”
“You have a letter of blackmail.” Alex looked to his father to see if the words he spoke were true. It was evident from the disgust focused on the letter in Norwood’s hand it was blackmail.
“What does the letter say?” This should have been told to Alex immediately.
“The person is aware of our night in the barn.” Debra’s words and blush told of her embarrassment.
“How?” It was the only word he could think to say as he was horrified by the implications. If a person had come across them, why did they not lend assistance?
“We do not know how, nor do we care. The matter is how to repair the situation and a marriage is the only option.” Duchess Waverly, his mother, said the words with such intensity it affirmed the conviction of marriage.
“But I do not love him.” Debra’s strangled cry hurt his pride. Of course, love was not necessary for marriage, but in Debra’s estimation it was of upmost importance. She had dreams and hopes like no other woman he knew. He was certain his younger sister didn’t dream of love like Debra did. “Love is essential for marriage.”
“Love is a ridiculous emotion and is not necessary between husband and wife.” Lady Norwood pulled Debra back into her chair and he now understood the proper girl he’d noticed upon entering the room. Her mother kept her proper.
“But it is important for me.” Debra’s pleading eyes told him she was dying inside.
“I do not care about your devotion to fanciful imaginations, Debra. You and Lord Trenton must be wed. You were wearing his clothing.” Lord Norwood’s face flushed as he said the words.
“You are correct, Norwood.” Surprised by his father’s acquiescing, Alex turned away as he cared not to see the disappointment.
“To appease Waverly’s worries, we will have the banns read so there will not be gossip.” Lord Norwood’s matter of fact decision left much to be desired by way of a proposal, but it was what Alex expected.
Debra’s face fell and he saw tears escape her eyes. He tried to push the sorrow down, as he knew this decision crushed her heart, but there was no other way.
Chapter 10
Her reflection didn’t change, no matter how many times she looked in the mirror and wished for light blond hair the color of the sun, hair like her character Cordelia and her sisters. She was the only one in the family with red hair. She got it from her father’s mother. She was also the only one in the family with freckles. It didn’t matter if she wore a bonnet and carried a parasol; she had freckles all year long.
The red hair combined with the freckles would be enough to drive men away from her. Her sisters, Rilla and Kate told her she would be an old maid and burden on the family if she didn’t do something about the imperfections on her face, and she considered treatment. With a bit of research, she’d found a woman named Madame Rowley who created a paste to create youthful skin and rid the complexion of freckles, but her parents refused to purchase the items. She rubbed the spots wishing there was a way to remove them yet knowing they were permanent blemishes. Perhaps if I ever go to London, I can visit an apothecary shop to find Madame Rowley’s concoctions.
She continued to look at herself, noting the lack of curves in her body. It didn’t matter what type of stays her mother found, she simply didn’t have the chest to fill out a dress as her sisters did. What must Lord Trenton think of her? He was stuck. When they’d been alone in the barn, she’d done everything she could to be sassy in order to hide her insecurities. She’d needed to be confident, as he’d helped her with her dress and stays and falling into the worries of what the action meant had been too much to consider.
Hurt rang through her mind as she remembered back to her uncle’s last visit where he told her father he would have a hard time marrying off his last daughter due to her lack. Men want a full woman. He said as if her lack of curves made her partial. Her mother and sisters told her she would fill out at some point, but that day hadn’t yet come. Her aunt and uncle arrived earlier during the day and she dreaded seeing uncle Bosworth again.
“Miss,” Annie said entering her room with a gown, “it’s time to dress for supper.”
Debra didn’t respond. She continued to look at herself in the mirror and wish she looked like her four older sisters. Each one had curves. Each one had clear complexions free of the blemish of freckles. Each one had many admirers during their London seasons, and even before they went to London. She didn’t have any admirers, and the man she was engaged to did not care for her. Their engagement was based on reputation.
“If you would like, I will start with your hair,” Annie said laying the dress on the bed.
“Am I pretty?” Debra asked her maid. The words caught in her throat, even as she refused to cry.
“Yes miss.” The maid spoke without thinking about her reply. She was paid to say Debra was pretty. If she said no, Debra could have her turned out. The respon
se didn’t give any satisfaction. Holding in the tears, Debra watched as the maid pulled the pins out of her hair and loosened the braid it had been in since morning.
“Her grace said I should start putting your hair up as a countess would wear, since you are marrying an earl,” Annie said as she brushed through Debra’s hair. As though she felt a need to continue speaking, Annie didn’t stop for breath. “The Earl of Trenton is quite the conquest, my lady. He is so handsome and kind. He could have married any woman, but he has chosen you.”
Debra was anything but happy. She didn’t want to marry someone because he was forced to marry her to stave off a scandal. She wanted to marry for love. She wanted to marry a man who thought her beautiful. She certainly didn’t want to marry a man who drew the eyes of all the women in the room, including her sisters.
Her maid spent more time on her hair than usual. When Annie tightened her stays, she felt the air go out of her and wondered if she were going to be able to sit with the tightness of the clothes. The light blue dress she wore brought out the blue in her eyes and accented the red in her hair. She stood looking in the mirror of her dressing table thinking it was the best they could do to make her presentable.
“Just a little rouge?” Annie asked hoping to gain permission to paint Debra’s face. “Lord Trenton would admire you.”
“What?”
“Lord Trenton takes notice of you when you blush or smile. He seems to enjoy your presence.”
“Whatever gave you such an idea? He has been in his chambers since this morning. I was told he had a headache.”
“I saw the way he looked at you when you exited the library. He admires you.”
Debra shook her head. Only her maid would be so insensible. “Please put some powder on to. Try to cover my freckles.”
Wit & Intrigue (An Assignation to Remember Book 1) Page 5