“Don’t worry, Olivia, I have no intention of marrying you.” Phillip used a serviette to wipe the blood off his hand.
“Yes . . . you . . . will!” Norland’s words were accompanied by throwing his chair against the wall. Turning to Ashby he said, “I will purchase a special license, and they will be married tomorrow.”
“Arundel,” Ashby yelled, “you will consign yourself to your duty.”
“Forgive me, Father,” Phillip said in anger, “but arranged marriage never gave anyone in this room marital bliss.”
“Phillip, please—” Duchess Ashby pleaded with her son.
“Sorry, Mother,” Phillip said, looking chagrined.
Ashby and Norland yelled at each other, debating the propriety of a special license. The room was in complete chaos. Footmen were racing to clear dishes and silverware from the table so Olivia couldn’t throw anything else.
“I don’t want my family business thrown out to society as a topic of conversation!” Ashby slammed a hand on the table.
“Your son is the problem,” Norland yelled back at him.
“Your daughter is immature and vile,” Ashby yelled, pointing to Olivia. “I told you to get her under control for this dinner.”
“If your son would stop goading my daughter to anger, she wouldn’t behave this way!” Norland grabbed Olivia’s arm. “You will go to your room and not emerge until you are ready to apologize.”
“I want her out of my house,” Ashby yelled, pointing at Olivia. “She will learn to behave or she is not welcome.”
Norland grabbed Olivia’s arm and pulled her from the room. Emma was elated as she saw Olivia leaving in shame. She looked down the table and pity consumed her for Phillip as he made apologies to the people around him. The valet put a salve on Phillip’s hand and was wrapping it as the evening exploded with Norland returning to fight with Ashby.
Emma left the dining room with her family. She looked back at Phillip to see him one last time for the night. She saw him glance toward her and knew this situation would only get worse. Edward and Anne’s marriage would be a source of pain for both her and Phillip forever.
Twenty-eight
“Phillip?” Edward, Charlotte, Charles, and Marianne walked into his room with a book.
He stood next to the window, watching as people left. “Don’t tell me the minister who was at the party is ready to marry us tonight.”
“Everyone is leaving,” Edward replied. “Father kicked Lady Olivia and her parents out of the house.”
He closed his eyes, sick over his behavior. “I shouldn’t have commented on her shrill voice. Edward, I’m sorry I ruined your night. I’ll apologize to Anne as well.”
He was surprised to hear his siblings laughing. “Phillip, this is going to be the best party of the season. People will talk about it for years to come. This will be the top story in the society column tomorrow.” Edward patted him on the shoulder to let him know he wasn’t angry.
“Are you referring to Olivia’s tantrum or my rude comment?”
“Both,” Charles responded.
The room filled with laughter as they recounted the guests’ reactions at Olivia’s tantrums. Phillip listened to the various comments and thought of how lonely and sad his life would be without his family.
“Lady Grange is certain there won’t be a wedding,” Marianne commented.
“Lord Grange said he thought his wife was a nightmare, but he is certain you have a worse fate than he does,” Charles added.
“If it’s any consolation, Emma Parker was concerned for you,” Charlotte commented.
“It’s better I don’t know what her reaction was. It hurts too much to think about her.” Looking around for something to say, he noticed the book in Charlotte’s hand. “What are you reading? Anything I would enjoy?” he asked, hopeful to keep the conversation light.
“It’s a book of Shakespeare’s tragedies and comedies. I brought it from your library at Wentworth Hall. I hope you don’t mind,” Charlotte responded.
“Will you read to me?”
“We should each take parts,” Charlotte said as she searched through the book, found a story, and read.
She chose Romeo and Juliet on purpose. The story was excruciating to hear as he thought of Emma. Charles read Romeo’s parts and Marianne read Juliet. Edward and Charlotte took the other parts and allowed him to sit and relax with his eyes closed.
He listened as Marianne read with emotion the scene where Juliet drank a sleeping draught. The despair and emotion of the scene made him wonder what Shakespeare could have done different with the characters. He wrote it as a tragedy, but with a few changes Romeo and Juliet could have survived and they never would have had to use the poison. The story could’ve gone from tragedy to comedy.
“Phillip? Is something wrong?” Marianne asked. She stopped reading Juliet’s lament. He hadn’t realized he had made a noise.
“I was pondering over Romeo and Juliet and the tragedy of separating two people who are in love.” The comparison to his life was too realistic for him. He needed to share his feelings, but he didn’t know what to say.
“If the characters had lived, do you think they would have been happy leaving their families and hiding from everyone they knew?” Edward asked, joining into the analysis.
“They could’ve been,” Charlotte responded, closing the book but keeping a finger in it to mark the spot. “They lived in a city where their families were killing each other. It wouldn’t be pleasant.”
“I think they wouldn’t be happy,” Marianne said, giving the first argument in the negative. “After a while they would miss their family and friends. It could tear them apart.”
“I’ve missed these conversations,” Charlotte said, grabbing Phillip’s hand. She sat in the window seat next to his chair. “You used to come up with these types of observations while reading all the time.”
“Please tell me this is what we all think a simple conversation regarding literature.” Edward took the book from Charlotte and closed it.
“What else would it be?” Charlotte asked in confusion.
“It is just an observation of literature. I asked Emma to elope and she said no. I will be stuck with an insane wife for life.”
Over the following days, Phillip avoided Olivia as much as he could. He attended church with the family and listened as the banns were read. He attended the dinner parties his parents required of him, and he behaved the way Ashby expected.
At a party held by Lord and Lady Jellico, Phillip saw Emma and her family across the room. He stayed at a distance so she didn’t feel threatened. He also kept his distance from Lady Olivia, avoiding all conversation regarding the wedding. He was going through the motions of life without experiencing it. Could he continue to do so forever?
The second week of the vicar reading the banns, he wanted to declare his objection when he heard the words, “If any of you know cause or just impediment why these persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is for the second time asking.” He dared a glance at Olivia and saw her looking at him as well. They locked eyes, daring the other to object.
“I object,” a deep male voice called out.
A low murmur went through the room. Phillip, along with everyone else, turned to see who was objecting and which couple they were objecting to.
“Will the objector please come forward?” the vicar said, looking around the room.
Phillip held his breath as a man he didn’t recognize walked to the front of the chapel. The man was older. He looked worn and tired.
“What is your objection?” the vicar asked.
The man didn’t speak. He moved to the front of the room and handed the vicar a piece of parchment. Phillip didn’t dare hope the objection was for him. There were many couples, including Edward and Anne, who had also had t
he banns read.
The vicar nodded to the man. “Is this accurate?”
“I was paid to deliver the information to you.”
The vicar looked back at the congregation. “The Earl of Arundel and Lady Olivia Harrison will meet with me after the services.”
With this announcement Phillip’s expectations rose. Whatever the information was, could it be enough to end the engagement?
The services seemed to last longer than usual due to the build-up behind the objection. The vicar spoke about honesty in relationships. Phillip wondered if he heard about the problems in his and Olivia’s relationship and the marriage contract due to the advice he was preaching. But if anyone was being honest in a relationship, it was them.
Phillip waited along with Olivia and their parents for the vicar to finish speaking with the congregation as they left. He saw the Parkers waiting near Edward and Anne, and he locked eyes with Emma. Desire flooded his heart. Would the objection be enough to end the madness?
Phillip exchanged a look with Olivia as the vicar approached. He motioned his hand to let her know she could go first.
“What is the objection?” Norland asked before anyone could sit in the chairs the vicar set out.
“The objection is against Lord Arundel. Evidence shows he was wed to Miss Emma Parker in Gretna Green this last week.”
“This is a clear case of defamation,” Ashby yelled, crumbling the paper and throwing it on the floor. “Someone is trying to destroy my son’s reputation.”
Phillip turned to Olivia. “Did you do this? You threatened to spread rumors about Emma. Are you trying to destroy her?”
Olivia didn’t speak. She looked to her parents for their responses.
“I didn’t go to Gretna Green. I admit I asked Emma to run away with me, but she said no.” If they could void the engagement, it would be most welcome. But he wasn’t about to ruin Emma’s reputation when she guarded it so well.
“Norland,” Ashby yelled, “are you behind the forgery?”
“An absurd allegation, Ashby. I would never. I’m an honorable man. I can see your son’s hand in it. We all know he doesn’t want to marry my daughter.” Norland waved his hand in Phillip’s direction as he made the accusation.
“I have Phillip well watched, since the latest attempts on his life. He didn’t take Emma Parker to Gretna Green,” Ashby yelled.
“What do we do now?” Phillip asked, hoping to bring sanity back to the conversation. He tried not to overreact due to his father’s confession of having him watched. It was almost as though he was being tended by a governess again.
The vicar put a hand on both dukes’ shoulders, “Until the allegation can be proven false, the engagement can’t go forward.”
“How did this person prove it took place?” Ashby roared.
“He provided a marriage license,” the vicar revealed.
“Where is the license?” Ashby demanded, holding his hand out and expecting the paper to be given to him.
“Your Grace,” the vicar said in a calming voice, “this is something you, the duchess, and your son should discus in private.”
“No, it isn’t,” Ashby said, ready to throw a punch at Norland. “I want to know who purchased the forgery.”
Phillip knew his father was angry, because Norland was now going to execute the part of the contract which stated his lands, money, and titles were to be handed over.
“I don’t know who did this,” Norland yelled, “but your son is backing out of the contract so I win.”
Phillip took a deep breath before he spoke. He wanted to sound calm. “Emma and I are not married. You can’t take my father’s lands, titles, and monies because this is a forgery. My suggestion is you both agree to end this charade and allow Olivia to marry Lord Folly and I will marry Emma.” Phillip hoped his words would have an impact on the greedy men before him.
“I’ll have my solicitor draw up the paperwork tomorrow, Ashby.”
“I will find out who did this, and if you or your daughter are behind it, so help me, I’ll destroy you.” Ashby walked away without another word.
The vicar looked over. “They will not be allowed to marry with this marriage license between Lord Arundel and Miss Emma Parker.” He nodded to Olivia. “You are legally released from the engagement, but Lord Arundel is married to Miss Parker.”
The words were cheap and distasteful. Emma didn’t deserve the censure she would receive from the forged marriage license. The weight of the gamble pushed him down until he wasn’t certain if he could lift his legs to walk.
It took everything within him to walk out into the church yard. He didn’t want to face Emma. He didn’t know if he could bear to see her reaction to the forgery. Would she be angry? Would she hate him? This would destroy any chance of a match for her.
“What happened? Who objected?” Edward asked as he and Anne approached.
“The vicar didn’t say who made the objection.” He couldn’t stop the bile from rising in his throat, as he would have to tell Emma.
“What is the objection?” Edward asked in concern. “Father looked angry.”
Phillip again tried to say the words, but he looked at Anne and couldn’t bring himself to tell her about the horrible reputation her sister now had.
“Phillip, you’re scaring me.” Edward looked past him and walked to their mother to get answers. Phillip turned and watched as his mother said the words. Although he was too far away to hear, he knew what she said by the movement of her mouth.
Edward walked back to him and asked, “How angry is Father?”
“Norland is preparing the paperwork tomorrow. Everything will be gone if he can’t prove it’s a forgery.”
Phillip saw his mother out of the corner of his eye. She walked over to Lord Anthony and Lady Amelia. Phillip couldn’t watch. He didn’t want to see Emma’s reaction.
“This isn’t your fault. Someone is playing a risky game here. When Ashby finds out who it is, he’s going to destroy them.” Edward’s words were filled with passion, which was comforting. But all the passion in the world wouldn’t do Phillip or Emma any good until they knew who forged the license.
Phillip cringed as he heard the reaction from Emma. Her life was forever changed the day her father took an injured stranger into their home. He swallowed the bile as it crept up his throat.
He opened his eyes to see Edward was still standing with him, but Anne had moved over to her family. “How devastated is Emma?” Phillip asked not daring to look at her.
Edward shook his head. “It’s best you don’t know.”
Twenty-nine
Emma lay on the sofa, curled up in her mother’s arms and crying. Her reputation was destroyed. All of London would be aware of the so-called elopement before afternoon tea finished. She’d spent so much time thinking about how to get Phillip out of the engagement, she didn’t expect someone to do it for them. She didn’t expect the person to be heartless and ruin her reputation in the process.
By virtue of societal expectations, her entire family would share the burden of her shame. It didn’t matter if it was a lie. It didn’t matter that they had more than enough people to say it wasn’t valid. The problem was that the evidence of a marriage certificate was produced.
Emma’s mother ran her fingers through her hair, speaking calmly. She kept telling her everything would be all right. Ashby would find out where the forged document came from so he didn’t lose all of his worldly possessions. The words didn’t comfort her. She was devastated.
Emma stopped crying when a headache developed. She remembered the devastated look on Phillip’s face as he spoke to Edward. He didn’t want to be married to her. “I thought he loved me,” Emma cried to her mother.
“Why do you think he doesn’t?” Anne asked. Emma hadn’t realized her sister was in the room.
“He was upset
.”
“You’re upset. Does this mean you don’t love him?”
“I do love him. I’m upset because my reputation has been destroyed. I’m Hester Prynne. I might as well wear a scarlet letter on my dress.”
“I think this is taking your dramatic notions a bit far,” her mother said as she attempted to sooth Emma’s pain.
“No, it isn’t,” Emma sobbed. She thought about the book she recently read by the American, Nathaniel Hawthorne. The romantic themes she saw in it were now distasteful to her as she compared herself to the main character. She thought it would be a favorite of hers and wanted to share it with Phillip. But now she saw herself in the character and wondered what scaffold of shame she would be thrown upon to bear the burden of the forgery.
“You’re being ridiculous,” Anne said, downplaying the significance of the situation. “Phillip couldn’t even say the words. It made him sick to think of what this has done to you. He didn’t look at you because he didn’t want to see your reaction. When he asked me to marry him, Edward told me Phillip is still in love with you. Edward is afraid our marriage will be the end of his close relationship with his brother.”
Emma couldn’t feel sorry for Edward. She couldn’t feel sorry for Anne. She had spent the last month detesting her sister in secret while putting on a happy appearance for everyone. The façade would have to end at some point, but Emma continued to hide her feelings because she loved her sister.
She spent the following days hiding in her room. She refused to attend any social events. Her parents understood her reason for staying hidden. She didn’t want to go through the shame and humiliation by herself, but she couldn’t expect Phillip to come to Hertford House. It would throw the gossips too much ammunition.
When she emerged from her room, Emma sat in the drawing room, sketching the piano in the corner. She glanced at Edward and Anne sitting on the sofa in a private tête-à-tête. They were happy. Riddled with guilt over her anger at the couple, she peeked over to see the smile on her sister’s face. Anne was in love. Anne had never been so happy, and it showed in her posture. Her self-esteem had changed this season. She was confident.
The Earl of Arundel Page 18