“My brother has always patronized Mme. Bernard,” Charlotte said. “But how clever of you to recognize her work.”
“Not really,” Lady Munro said with a shrug of one bared shoulder. “I was at the salon when your brother ordered his wife’s trousseau. Actually, I should say when he tried to order it.” She laughed, a light, tinkling sound. “The poor man hadn’t the first idea of what he was doing and begged me to take over for him. I’m so pleased to see that Mme. Bernard followed my suggestions to the letter as evidenced by both your gowns.”
Serafina
drew in a sharp breath.
This
woman had been responsible for the beautiful wardrobe Aiden had given to her? And he’d never said a word, taking all the credit himself. She flushed a deep pink, humiliated to the bone. “My husband was very generous,” she said, trying to collect herself. “And you were most kind to be of assistance to him.”
“Oh, well as for that, Aubrey never did know what he was doing when it came to attiring a woman. I see that Lady Aubrey had one of her ball dresses altered for you, Lady Charlotte. How well it looks on you.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte said, although she looked severely annoyed that Lady Munro knew the dress hadn’t been made for her. “I had nothing suitable. Our plans were made at the last minute.”
“So I understand,” Harriet Munro said, toying with her fan. “Perhaps next season you will be better prepared.”
She turned her attention back to
Serafina,
who was beginning to feel uncomfortably like a mouse stalked by a cat. “Your cousin Segrave is a friend of mine. Imagine my surprise when he told me you had come out of hiding in Wales after all these years. Who would have imagined Aubrey would marry you so quickly—although I believe he had his financial difficulties to consider?”
Serafina
had no idea what was behind this woman’s vindictiveness, but there was no doubt in her mind that Lady Munro had not come over to be pleasant. She couldn’t catch her breath to speak, overcome with the horrible sensation that she’d just traveled back eleven years to her last day at Bowhill, no more than the same ugly piece of riffraff who didn’t belong and never would.
“Please excuse me,” she stammered. “I see someone beckoning to me.”
She started across the room as quickly as she could manage without actually running, her cheeks flaming. Whomever Lady Harriet Munro was and whatever her relationship with Aiden,
Serafina
had no desire to ever tangle with her again.
Trust Aiden to have a serpent for a friend.
Aiden was just escorting the duchess back into the ballroom from the supper room when his gaze caught the appalling sight of Harriet Munro engaged in conversation with
Serafina
and his sister. His heart nearly stopped in his chest. Harriet was capable of the worst sort of venom, and he didn’t doubt she was unleashing some of it on
Serafina
as he watched.
He hadn’t even realized Harriet was in attendance. She hadn’t come through the receiving line and he hadn’t heard her announced, so he could only think she’d come in late. “Oh, God no,” he muttered as
Serafina
turned away abruptly and fled.
“What is it, my boy?” the duchess asked, ever alert.
“Nothing—just an unexpected and unwelcome guest who is more than capable of doing mischief,” he said. “Will you excuse me, Duchess?”
“Certainly,” she said graciously, releasing his arm.
Aiden stormed toward Harriet, determined to find out what she’d said to make Serfina flee as she had. He might be furious with his wife at the moment, but he couldn’t help feeling protective of her, no matter what she’d done. No one deserved the wrath of Harriet. He knew.
“Why, Harriet,” he said, attempting to look calm, when inside he was raging. “What a surprise to find you here. I see you’ve made the acquaintance of my sister.”
“And your wife,” she said with a catlike smile. “What a
rural
creature she is.”
“Will you excuse us, Lottie?” He took Harriet by the elbow as his sister looked on in surprise, but he didn’t have time for explanations, not that he would have had anything suitable to offer.
“Aiden,” Harriet protested as he steered her toward the door, “what do you think you’re doing?”
“I’d like to ask you the very same question. Don’t you think your appearance here is in extremely questionable taste?”
Harriet shot him a sly, sidelong look. “You can’t expect to protect your wife from all your past mistresses, Aiden. Half of London would be eliminated from your guest list.”
Aiden wanted to shake her till her teeth rattled in her beautiful head. “Don’t be absurd,” he hissed, forcing a smile as he passed curious onlookers. “Tonight is my wife’s debut. Couldn’t you have left her alone to enjoy it? What did you do, come straight out and tell her that you and I were lovers at one time?”
“I didn’t have to. She divined that all by herself, I believe.”
“With considerable help from you, no doubt.” Aiden marched her to the entrance hall. “Lady Munro’s cloak, and quickly if you please. Her ladyship is feeling unwell.”
“But Aiden, I’ve only just arrived,” she said in a furious undertone. “What will people think?”
“I don’t give a damn. Most of them probably already know exactly what to think, given this cursed city and its gossip. You’re leaving now, and I’m going to see you to your carriage,” he spat out, throwing her cloak over her shoulders. “And you can do your best to look faint for anyone watch
ing.”
He practically pushed her out the door and down the steps of the town house, pulling her along the sidewalk.
“Darling, I do think you’re being unreasonable. Really, your behavior is scandalous.”
“Begging your pardon, madam, but it is your behavior I find scandalous. How
dare
you approach my wife like that?”
Harriet assumed a sulky look. “It’s not as if you care. You didn’t even want her, everyone knows that—word is all over town that you only married her for her money. Even you admitted that to me.”
“I may have married her for her money, and I may not have wanted her at the time, but I want her now, and by God I’ll fight for what’s mine!”
Harriet’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you’ve gone and fallen in love with the silly country mouse,” she said incredulously. “You, the infamous Earl of Aubrey, man without a heart? Please. It’s laughable, Aiden.”
Aiden took her by the shoulders in a punishing grip, and this time he did shake her, hard. “What lies between me and my wife is none of your business, nor is it anyone else’s. I warn you, Harriet, stay away from
Serafina,
or I swear I’ll make you sorry.” He released her abruptly, his body shaking with rage.
Harriet brushed off her shoulders. “For a man whom Edmund Segrave says danced with his wife only once this evening you’re in remarkably high dudgeon over a harmless little conversation.”
“Nothing about you is harmless, my dear. Now take yourself off,” he said, angrily depositing her in front of her carriage.
“I’m not inclined to stay where I’m not wanted,” she said, drawing herself up. “But this absurd attachment you’ve taken to the girl won’t last, Aiden. I of all people should know.”
“But I never loved you, did I?” he retorted coldly, turning on his heel and storming back toward the house.
He stopped abruptly halfway up the street, hearing his own words echoing in his head.
But then I never loved you, did I?
“Oh, dear God,” he groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. “Oh, dear God, Aiden Delaware, you have truly lost your mind.”
He straightened his shoulders and went back to the ball, more confused than he’d ever been in his life
.
H
ot
coals wouldn’t
describe
what
Aiden
felt he was standing on as they saw the last of their guests out. He was acutely aware of Serafina’s near presence, her musical voice saying her farewells, her hand reaching out to touch various other hands. But not his. Never his.
He’d danced with her twice more, just to put Edmund Segrave and his vicious tongue to rest. He had smiled at her, brought her lemonade, just to be sure no one else had reason to question his feelings. He didn’t even know what they were anymore. He knew nothing, understood nothing.
He was still angry, but his anger had been tempered by doubt that he might have been wrong about her, that he might have misconstrued an innocent friendship. His loins ached for her—they hadn’t stopped aching even when he’d been sure she’d betrayed him. And although he might not have any control over his loins—he hadn’t had since the day he’d met her—he fully expected to have control over his heart. But even that had deserted him, leaving him in a place of chaos.
As soon as the last guest had gone,
Serafina
turned to him. “Good night, Aiden. Thank you for a lovely evening.” But there was no sincerity in her voice, and the absence of it stung him. She said good night to the others with a great deal more warmth, kissing first his father’s cheek, then Charlotte’s and the duchess’s. And finally Rafe’s, which only made his blood boil.
But she didn’t kiss his cheek. Never his.
He watched her climb the stairs after the others, his heart aching as much as his loins, cursing himself for a fool. He was about to follow her, determined to finish the conversation he’d started earlier and dig out the truth of her relationship with Raphael, when Charlotte stopped him at the foot of the stairs.
“Aiden, a word with you?” she asked, her expression urgent.
“Lottie, not now. We’re all tired,” he said, sure she wanted to interrogate him about his abrupt departure with Harriet. The last thing in the world he needed was a lecture now from his sister about his behavior. “Let me carry you up to bed.”
“This won’t wait, Aiden. Please?” she said, in the pleading tone he could never refuse. “I’m sure I cannot sleep tonight as exhausted as I am, not unless I speak to you first.”
“Very well,” he said impatiently. “But make it fast, Lottie. I’m in no mood for nonsense.”
He wheeled her into the drawing room and leaned one shoulder against the mantelpiece, crossing his arms over his chest. “Well?”
Charlotte ran the tip of her tongue over her lower lip. “This is awkward, Aiden. Deeply painful, in fact. But I feel you must know.”
“Know what?” he said, staring down at the toe of his pump and heaving a resigned sigh.
“It’s—it’s about
Serafina
and Raphael,” she said. “I heard them tonight when they were talking alone in the garden.”
Aiden’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowed in sudden attention. “What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“I—I know I shouldn’t have been listening, but I went out for a breath of air—it was so stuffy in the ballroom. And I overheard them. Oh, Aiden,” she cried, tears starting to her eyes. “How can I tell you?” She dug out her handkerchief from her bodice.
“Just tell me, damn you,” he said, his heart turning to stone.
“Aiden, they have sinned most grievously against you,” she said, her eyes streaming now. “For three of the weeks you were in London after your marriage they—they carried on at Southwell!”
Aiden slowly straightened. “What are you implying?” he whispered, the words barely coming out.
“Must you force me to say it? They were—they were f-fornicating together,” she sobbed, burying her face in her hands.
“You
heard
them say this?” Aiden wrapped his hands into tight fists, trying to hold on to control as his world crashed down around him.
“Yes,” she wailed.
“Serafina
thinks you know about it, and she was afraid of what you might do. And … and Raphael—oh, poor Raphael, led into evil by that strumpet—he said that he thought you would understand. He must have believed you wouldn’t care, but I knew you would, that you would feel dishonored.” She dissolved into a fit of weeping.
Aiden very carefully walked over to the window. His legs felt as if they wouldn’t hold him. He leaned his hands against the cold pane and looked out over the quiet street into the dark night, broken only by the hollow yellow mist of the street lamps. “Thank you for bringing the matter to my attention,” he said very softly. “Leave me now, Lottie.”
“But Aiden—what are you going to do?” she sniffed. “You must do something. Oh, I
knew
that girl was trouble the minute she showed her face. I tried to warn you…”
Aiden spun around. “I said leave me, Lottie,” he roared. “Have one of the footmen take you up to bed. I have to think.”
His sister gazed at him, her eyes wide with fright. “Very well, Aiden. Whatever you wish.” She wheeled herself out of the room and quietly shut the door behind her.
Aiden felt as if he were drowning. He couldn’t catch his breath. This was his worst nightmare come to life. It was Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot all over again. He had been betrayed by his wife and his best friend.
True. It was true after all.
Charlotte in all her innocence could never have made such a thing up, would never make such a thing up. She cared too much about Raphael to falsely accuse him. And she couldn’t possibly have known about the suspicions Aiden had entertained, since he’d never breathed a word of them to another soul.
Truth. Cold, hard, ugly truth.
And he felt like dying.
“Serafina,
dearest? May I come in?”
Serafina
turned from her dressing table. Charlotte sat in her chair in the open doorway, her face pale and anxious.
“What is it Charlotte?” she asked, wishing everyone would leave her alone. She’d already had to face Janie this morning and her endless questions about the ball. A conversation with Charlotte was more than she could stand.
Aiden hadn’t come home last night. She knew. She’d knocked on his door in the night, wanting to speak to him, to set things straight, for she couldn’t bear any more of the tension between them, no matter the consequences.
But he hadn’t come to bed, and according to Tinkerby, he’d never come upstairs. One final inquiry had established that Aiden had gone out and hadn’t returned.
“Oh, Serafina,
I must ask the most enormous favor of you,” Charlotte said, wheeling herself over to the dressing table. “My dear sister, I don’t think I can tolerate another moment of London. I am exhausted and overwrought, and I want nothing more but to return to Townsend. Will you accompany me?”
Serafina
rubbed her aching forehead. She hadn’t slept a wink in the night. “But we’re all scheduled to go home tomorrow. Can you not wait until then?”
“I don’t think I can. My back hurts most dreadfully, and I long for my oils and my own bed. I realize I’m being demanding, but I thought you might understand.”
Serafina
sighed. It was true that Charlotte did look drawn, and if she was in pain, then the best place for her was in her own home. Charlotte had had a trying week, and it was no wonder she was overwrought. Serafina’s own nerves were frayed beyond endurance.
“Very well,” she said, trying to be charitable, even though the last thing in the world she wanted to undertake was a long carriage journey. “When would you like to leave?”
“Bless you!” Charlotte said, relief written all over her face. “You are the kindest sister that ever was. I knew you would help me, so I already ordered the carriage. Our clothes can be packed later and follow tomorrow.”
“Do you mean you want to leave now? Right now?”
Serafina
said, unprepared.
“Yes. You see, if we leave now, then we will arrive by nightfall. Otherwise, we might have to stop at a coaching inn, and I don’t know if I could bear another night in a strange bed.”
“But Aiden’s not even home yet. We can’t leave without telling him.”
“Don’t concern yourself with Aiden. I will write him a note explaining all. My dear brother would far rather I look after my health than worry about him, I assure you.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true,”
Serafina
said. “All right, Charlotte. Let me just finish dressing and I’ll join you downstairs and explain to the duchess.”
“The duchess will be abed for hours yet, but Aiden can tell her everything. I’d inform Raphael, but he has already gone out.”
“Whatever you wish.”
Serafina
was happy to hand the task of writing to Aiden over to Charlotte. She really didn’t have anything to say to him, not anymore.
They arrived at Townsend at nine that night.
Serafina
had slept on and off during the journey, and Charlotte had been unusually quiet throughout, no doubt due to her own exhaustion and the pain she suffered.
“I’ll call for Frederick to come and get you,”
Serafina
said to Charlotte, alighting from the carriage, her bones stiff from twelve hours of travel.
Plum appeared at the door, surprise written all over his face. “Your ladyship! We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.” He peered over his shoulder. “Are their lordships with you?”
“No, Plum. Lady Charlotte decided she needed to return home immediately, so we came ahead by ourselves.”
“Never mind, she’s probably worn down. May I welcome you back, my lady? We missed you sorely, if it’s not presumptuous to say so.”
“Not at all—I’m happy to hear it,”
Serafina
said with a weary attempt at a smile. “I missed all of you too. Has my aunt retired for the evening?”
“Oh, no, my lady. Your aunt went off last week, saying she was going to pay a visit to some friends. She didn’t leave her direction, but she gave me a letter to deliver to you on your return. I’ll just collect it.”
“Thank you, Plum,”
Serafina
said, curiously wondering what friends her aunt had suddenly acquired. Elspeth didn’t have friends to keep her company, she had earth deities. “And please summon Frederick. Her ladyship will want to go straight to her room.”
“Very good, my lady.” He scurried off and
Serafina
walked into the hall, pulling off her gloves. It was good to be home. She’d missed Plum’s cheerful face, all the servants with their easygoing attitudes and friendly bantering.
Plum delivered a folded, sealed piece of paper on a silver salver and
Serafina
tore it open, perusing Elspeth’s spidery, nearly indecipherable writing.
My dear
Serafina,I’ve had the most wonderful surprise. A coven exists quite close to this area in a small town near Grantham. One of my
sister
Wiccans
in
Wales wrote to their high priestess, giving my current direction, and as a result I have been asked to pay their coven a
visit.
Serafina
glanced up as she heard footsteps coming across the marble floor. “Freddie!” she said with pleasure. “How are you … oh, dear. You’re looking a trifle peaked.” That was an understatement. Frederick looked as if he’d just eaten a bad apple.
“Just a touch of indisposition. Welcome home, my lady.”
“Thank you. Her ladyship needs to be carried from the carriage.”
“Yes, my lady, Plum told me,” he said morosely, dragging his feet toward the door.
Serafina
turned her attention back to Elspeth’s letter, reminding herself to see to a tonic for Freddie in the morning.
Naturally this is an invaluable opportunity to further my research, so I am taking advantage of the invitation. I shall be away no more than a fortnight, dearie. I do hope your adventures in London were satisfactory, although I can’t think you took any enjoyment from them.
Fondly,
Auntie Elspeth
Postscript:
I
have taken Basil
with
me, so you needn’t worry about feeding him. And be sure that none of those nosy maids goes poking about in my chambers. I have left everything exactly as I want it. A. E.
Serafina
folded the letter up with an exasperated shake of her head. Aunt Elspeth could be depended on to set the Grantham coven on its ear. She might well be back sooner than she expected.
Frederick carried Charlotte into the hall and placed her in her chair. “To your room, my lady?” he asked, looking a shade paler than he had when he went out the door.
“I do not wish to go to my room just yet,” Charlotte said, to Serafina’s considerable surprise. “Lady Aubrey and I have not eaten since breakfast. We will take a light supper in the dining room. Inform Cook, if you please.”