by Julie Matern
Phillip nodded. “I heard about it, quite by chance, at a reception in London and defended your honor to the spiteful biddy who broadcast it with far too much relish. I am heartily ashamed by their conduct.”
“Oh, Phillip, you know not how those words are a balm to my soul. I try to bear the cruelty well, but sometimes it saddens me so. I do not know who could have betrayed us so viciously.”
“Ah, well there I may have the answer. Your grandmother Haversham would do well to treat her servants with more kindness. It appears that one of the maids was eavesdropping at a door and announced the story below stairs. Before the butler could put a stop to it, the tale had spread through the whole village. The maid has since been dismissed. It is wise to treat all people with dignity and compassion, as your grandmother has learned to her sorrow!”
“She will find the shame of it very hard to bear. She and grandfather Haversham were particularly upset about the adoption and said some rather harsh things, which lead to an argument with my Davenport grandparents. It was all very distressing.”
“How do you feel, now that all of society knows your secrets?”
“I hardly know. I have already experienced the cold shoulder of society at Annabelle’s wedding. I confess, it was hard to bear and makes me want to become a little recluse. On the other hand, several friends and family have written to assure me of their continued support, which is heartening and I am most grateful for it.
“The hardest thing to bear is the fact that I can never marry. That is a hard truth to accept.” She turned her bowed head slightly and looked up at him through lashes that were wet with quiet tears.
He lifted her chin with his finger and she dropped her gaze to the floor, the lashes sweeping her cheeks tearing at his heart strings and bolstering his courage. “Never marry?”
With a broken voice that mirrored her emotions, she explained, “Our plan had been to tell the whole truth to any young man who asked for my hand so that he might make a decision based upon all the facts. We would never have deceived anyone who wanted to marry me, but we felt it important to preserve the reputation of the rest of the family by not making my father’s station in life public. I am sure that no young man would have followed through with the proposal once he knew the truth but there was a wisp of hope that someone that really loved me might be able to overlook my past, that there was such a man.
“Now that the whole world knows my history, I suppose I am a pariah and no young man will even allow himself to be in the same company with me, let alone court me. Thus, I will become a wealthy old maid and spend far too much time with my horses.” She managed a tearful smile.
He raised her chin again gently.
“I am such a man,” he whispered.
She blinked to clear her vision and stared back, trying to read his sincerity. He held her gaze and she noticed the soft, gold flecks hidden in the green irises of his intelligent eyes. She glanced at his lips and then back at his eyes and swallowing, whispered back, “Phillip, do not say such things out of pity for me. The world is yours for the taking, and I would not have you limit your chances because you feel sorry for an old friend. I cannot allow you to throw your life away like that.”
“Is that what you believe?” He pulled away from her and, holding both her hands, forged on. “Francesca, I have been such a fool! I have loved you these past twelve months and been unable to confess it for fear that you did not reciprocate my feelings. And then you seemed so taken with Mr. Ashbourne—”
She flinched at his name.
“I have loved you for so long and never disclosed it. Not even to my closest friends or family. I was in agony those months you seemed to favor him, and when I heard of his proclivity to ruin the reputations of the rich and young, I rushed to find you and protect you. I was not there by happenstance, Francesca. I had come to warn you.” He paused. “I love you! I want nothing so much as to make you my wife. The only remaining question is to ask if you think you could come to love me.”
She pressed his hands with hers and declared, “But I love you already, Phillip! I had much time to reflect on my travels and found that I was missing no one but you. I berated myself for foolishness thinking that you regarded me only as a sister figure, but my heart would not obey. I was blinded by …” She hesitated. “By Mr. Ashbourne, for a little, but it became all too clear that his feelings were not genuine. I was flattered by his attentions, but I fault only my youth and inexperience on that score. And I came to realize that it was you who I loved and you who I thought of every night as I fell asleep. When I learned of my father’s station, it was rejection by you that I feared the most!”
He pulled her to him in a short, powerful embrace and then released her gently, hovering near her lips with his own and drinking in her sweet, heady breath. On opening his eyes, her expression was encouraging, and he finally brushed her lips in a tender kiss. The electrical charge was so intense and so immediate that he was taken aback, and, desiring more of that which he had imagined for so long, he softly pressed his mouth against hers. She melted into his arms and kissed him back with fervor, then pulled away to rest her cheek against his jacket. Encircling her about with his arms, he rested his own cheek on her head, feeling a completeness of joy such as he had never before experienced.
The tiger-like primal protection that had been awakened when he had found her with Ashbourne, now roused with a roar and prowled around. Phillip wanted nothing more from life than to take care of and cherish this dear soul for the rest of his life.
After several minutes in this heavenly pose, Phillip dropped to his knee. “Francesca Haversham, will you marry me?”
“You would be willing to have me even knowing that I am no longer considered a member of high ranking society?”
“I am willing. I love you as I have never loved anyone and cannot imagine a life without you.”
“Then yes, Phillip! Yes!” He stood and held her close, his lips touching her hair.
“What will your parents say when they know all?” she whispered. “Do you think they will give us their blessing?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. They have known and loved you all their lives and I would hope that this will change nothing for them, but I have lately discovered that you cannot always predict how others will react, even how you, yourself will react.”
She lifted her head but he pulled her closer so that he could make his confession without witnessing her reproach. “When you told me you were adopted, it was of little consequence to me.”
“I remember,” she murmured, “it gave me hope while I was gone.”
“I have not always been so constant. I am ashamed to say that when the full facts were thrust upon me, I wavered. We are so indoctrinated where the classes are concerned, that I confess my love did falter.”
She let out a little gasp, but he held her closer.
“I hated myself for it and fell to my knees, asking the Lord to change my heart, for I did not desire this prejudice to take hold. He answered me, and through the grace of His Son gave me a new heart! His Spirit told me of your great worth in His eyes, and I was undone. You are a remarkable woman, and nothing can change that. I love you and will always love you. I am now forever yours.”
She raised her head and with no trace of hurt or disappointment cupped his face with her dainty hand. “Thank you for sharing this with me. It gives me such comfort. Your parents’ attitude is quite another matter. They may not desire to overcome their first reaction. Can you endure it if they reject me?” she asked timidly.
He moved away a fraction, the easy smile replaced with the confidence of conviction.
“From this day forth, I will remain loyal to you through good times and bad. I have pledged myself to you in marriage—there is no turning back. If my parents have difficulty accepting the circumstances of your birth, then we will be patient and allow them time. But I will not be deterred, Francesca. You are the same dear girl that ever you were, and nothing will prevent me from mak
ing you my wife!”
T
When Phillip went to John Haversham to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, John was cautiously optimistic. “I feel obligated to tell you—”
“If you are going to tell me about Francesca’s birth father, I can put your mind at ease as I know it all, sir.”
John burst into a radiant smile of relief and shook Phillip’s hand vigorously. “You are a true gentleman!” he proclaimed and patted his shoulder. “I cannot tell you how happy Mrs. Haversham will be! This is the thing that we had feared the most, that the revelation would prevent Francesca from having a full life.”
John’s expression changed to doubt, suddenly, “You are not doing this out of some sense of misguided duty, are you Phillip? You do love her?”
“Let me assure you, sir, of my devotion and of the deep love and admiration I have for your daughter. She is the choice of my heart and my head and has been for some long time.”
T
Lady Waverley’s face blanched as Phillip told her all they now knew about Francesca’s heritage. His parents did not go about much in society, and so even her adoption was news to them. She dropped into an armchair and heaved a great sigh, looking at Francesca with pity.
“Well, my dear, this must be a great shock to you!”
“I confess that it was at first but I have had time to come to terms with it and I have had the opportunity to meet my other family and come to love them.”
Lady Waverley looked as though she had tasted something sour but said, “For a young lady raised as you have been it must have been an …” she searched for an appropriate word, “adjustment.”
“My grandfather was a very wealthy and respected land owner and even my natural father has made something of himself. It would be very cruel to reject him because he has not had the opportunities afforded to me, do you not think?”
Lady Waverley most certainly did not look like she agreed, but was gracious enough to keep her own counsel and merely smiled weakly.
“There is more, Mother, Father,” began Phillip, and he took Francesca’s hand in his.
“More!” gasped his mother, eyeing their entwined hands. “More?”
“I have asked Francesca to be my wife.”
An uncontrolled little yelp escaped his mother, and she coughed to cover it, sending her husband an alarmed look.
“You know we love Francesca as her own person,” said his father. “And bear no grudge due to the change in her circumstances, but have you thought through all the ramifications of such a union? Although this has come as a surprise to us, we will make allowances because you are our son and given time we hope to able to accept all this, but you must appreciate that others will not be so charitable. They may persecute you, and they will certainly cut you. You may find yourselves extremely lonely and without many friends. Furthermore, the ripples of your decision will not only affect you, they will affect all your family by association.”
“You are right, Father, and we have not come to this decision lightly. You and mother are not much in society and neither is my brother. As your heir, he will not have to deal with prejudice as he would if he had to find his way to earn a good income.” He turned to Francesca and continued, “If I find my chances to succeed in the law revoked because of my alliance, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make! Francesca now has a great fortune, independent of the Havershams, and we will want for nothing material. I daresay I can find fulfillment running an estate just as Father has. Though I favor the law, it is not my burning passion, and I can see a life of happiness without it. I cannot see such a life without Francesca by my side.”
His father nodded but still wore a grim expression. “I see that you will not be deterred. And you can be assured that we will certainly not separate ourselves from you entirely, though it will take time to come to terms with everything, I must be honest!”
“Father, I appreciate your honesty and understand the need for time. However, we have determined that we would like to marry in two months, and because of the circumstances, we would prefer a small wedding with little fanfare. Do you think you might be able to attend? We understand if you would rather not.”
Lady Waverley looked to her husband who said, “Give us some time, Son. Let us digest all this and make a decision when our emotions have calmed down.”
Phillip and Francesca acquiesced and took their leave. Once outside the house, Francesca breathed a sigh of relief, “Well, that went better than I had expected!”
Thirty-Six
UV
ENGLAND
Emily placed the letter beside her luncheon plate and lifted her gaze to the ceiling, trying to imagine what it had cost her sister to write the note. She loved her sister, but she feared for anyone who crossed her. And to think that they had all been taken in by the gentleman in question!
The door creaked open and Francesca came in and placed a kiss on her mother’s cheek. Noticing the sorrowful expression on her mother’s face, she asked, “Have you received bad news, Mama? It is not grandfather, is it?”
“No, no. Sit down, darling. This concerns your cousin Katherine.”
Francesca’s eyes flew to her mother’s, and she gasped.
“Do you know already, then?” Emily asked.
“No! But I confess that I have suspected something was wrong for some time, but Katherine would not confide in me.”
“It is terribly shocking and will bear bad fruit for some time I fear. It appears that Mr. Langley Ashbourne, who we all thought so virtuous and dashing, has compromised Katherine with a promise of marriage, which he has now withdrawn!”
Francesca blanched but her mother was so upset by the letter that she did not notice and continued, “Since your ball, it appears that Katherine has sunk into a depression that has necessitated her removal to a sanitarium. In recent days, at the encouragement of her doctors, she has admitted to the secret engagement and its withdrawal. My sister, your aunt, flew into a rage and commissioned someone to find the young man so that your uncle might confront him and force him to honor his promise.
His whereabouts were discovered, and your uncle accosted him, but Mr. Ashbourne resisted his demands, declaring that he was engaged to be married in a few weeks and was therefore not a free man. Your uncle subsequently made a threat of exposure to which Mr. Ashbourne retorted that he would, in turn, expose their daughter for the coquette that she is.”
Francesca’s stomach dropped in fear.
“Your uncle was apoplectic and demanded that Ashbourne retract his accusations and admit that they were false. Rather than back down, Mr. Ashbourne challenged your uncle to check with his daughter before setting events in motion that he might later regret.
“Your uncle backed down in a daze, vowing to return when the accusations were proven fictitious and Mr. Ashbourne had the bad manners to laugh in his face. We were sorely mistaken in that young man’s character!”
“Indeed,” murmured Francesca, looking down at her hands folded in her lap.
“But there is more!” exclaimed her mother, slapping the letter with her palm. “His accusations were true! I can hardly believe it, but your cousin, upon being told of his allegations, broke down and confessed all. My poor sister!”
Tears sprung to Francesca’s eyes and she took her mother’s hand. “Mama, I am so sorry for Katherine.”
“You do not blame her, then?”
“No. Who am I to cast blame on anyone? We know not how Mr. Ashbourne tempted her. I, for one, will not stand as her accuser.”
“But you are trembling,” said Emily.
“My emotions are all in chaos at the thought of how wretched Katherine must be, her reputation in tatters. I, who am in need of friends, will not cast her off but will offer her my compassion and love …” She bit her lip and gathering up her courage pushed on. “Mama, I must disclose that … that Mr. Ashbourne attempted to ruin my character while I was in Brighton, but thanks to Phillip, he was thwarted. He truly is an evil and wicke
d man.”
Emily looked up locking eyes with her daughter and placing a hand on her shoulder cried, “What? When was this? Why did you not confide in us? When was it?”
“I was too ashamed. Mr. Ashbourne followed us to Brighton,” she whispered. “I believe he planned to entrap me into a marriage for my money. If I had to guess, I would say that when he discovered that Katherine will not inherit any money, he dropped her like a hot iron. Phillip has found out that he and his father are about to be turned out by the creditors, like my grandparents. Mr. Ashbourne and his father are so desperate that they care not who they hurt in their plans to fill their coffers and maintain their estate.”
She coughed on a sob, and Emily wrapped her in an embrace, waiting for the tears to abate. “Tell me everything, my darling,” she encouraged, and Francesca gladly laid the burden of guilt at her mother’s feet, afterward rejoicing in the freedom of a clear conscience.
“So, you see, I can never condemn Katherine for there, but for the grace of God, go I. There is another too, Mama. Phillip met a shadow of a girl in Hampshire who fell victim to Mr. Ashbourne some years ago. Perhaps the lady to whom he is currently engaged is also marrying against her will.”
“We must tell your father! Perhaps it is time to unveil Mr. Ashbourne to protect others!”
Francesca sniffed and nodded, “Yes, Mama. I think it is time. If he chooses to spread rumors about my virtue in retaliation, it can hardly hurt my reputation any more than it already has been, and given that I have found happiness with Phillip, it is a sacrifice I am willing to make, as Phillip knows the truth and will defend me to any who dare to slander.”
T
Some days later, Emily saw an announcement in the Times which read,
Langley Ashbourne and Caroline DeMontford, widow, were married April 3, in Hampshire.
At that moment, John entered the room having just returned from town to commence the unveiling of Mr. Ashbourne.