Clouded Innocence (13 page)

Chapter
17

Secrets

I was quietly sneaking back into my room.

“Francesca?”
Oh no, this could not possible be happening again
, I thought to myself. I turned to see Madison dressed and ready for the day. “What are you doing Francesca?” Not knowing what else to say, I used the same excuse I had on my father.

“I heard a noise.”
 

Madison looked at me questionably. She did not seem to buy it, but she let it go. “Well, get dressed, you and I are spending the day together. I already talked it over with Lilly and she has given us the carriage, to go and do some much needed shopping.”
 

“Shopping? I thought Lilly took you out the other day?”
 

“She did but I did not buy anything. I told her I wanted your opinion. I was not sure why you did not accompany us in the first place.”

I did not know if that was a question, but either way I did not want to answer. What could I say? “I am sorry cousin, but I wanted to spend the day with the man I am in love with that you are trying to steal from me.” No I did not think that would have worked. 

“Madison, I...”

She cut me off. “Please, Francesca. I would really like to spend some time with you. Nicholas has made no plans to call on you today and I... I just feel like we are not as close as we used to be. Like there is something you are not telling me.” She said shaking her head, looking at the floor. Guilt flowed though me while I absorbed her words.

I exhaled a deep breath. “Alright, let me get dressed.” As soon as I was dressed we were off.

We were nearly in town before Madison finally spoke. “I am so glad I am able to be here for the celebration. Back home they never doing anything extravagant.” 

We made our way out of the coach and through the town. Madison seemed to know exactly where she was going, which should not surprise me. Maddy could find a clothing store in the middle of the desert if she wanted.
 

There were shops lined up and down the streets, but she was going to the dress shop at the end of the block. I did not like them. Their dresses were always a little on the racy side. I should have known that Madison would love them. She loved anything to get attention drawn to her.

We made our way in; the shopkeeper seemed to be expecting her. She brought out two dresses. Madison grabbed them both heading in to the changing room. 

“What do you think?” She said stepping out moments later.
 

It was a bright fuchsia. My father would not let me be caught dead in that color. Not only that, but the neck line was cut incredibly low.
 

“Uh…” was all I could manage.
 

“That is just the reaction I am going for. Hold on let me show you the other.”

She stepped back in. Minutes after, she emerged in a turquoise one. It made her eyes stand out. It was a beautiful color but like the other the neck line was too low and there was hardly any fabric to call sleeves. 

“Which one do you like better?” Honestly I hated them both, but I could not tell her that.
 

“Maddy… Honestly…”
 

“Oh I know. You love them both do you not? I understand. Me too.” She said turning herself in the mirror.
 “Which do you think Conner will like better?” 

My face widened in surprise. “Conner?” I asked.
 

“Yes silly. He is going to escort me to the celebration.”
 

“What?” Why had no one told me about this? I had been with him all last night and he did not mention a word.
 

“Well, of course. I was so grateful when he agreed. You know I do not know anyone and he is so handsome.” I could feel my eyes burn as the tears threatened to fall.
 

“Of course,” I said turning my head away so she could not see. “I like the pink one, Maddy,” I said as I turned toward the door to leave.
 

“Hmm… I like the blue one,” she said.
 

“Whichever is fine. I will wait for you at the food shop.” I left not waiting for her to respond.

I could not believe that Conner had agreed to take her. I mean I did understand, I suppose. Neither of them knew anyone, but why had he not told me?
Because he probably knew how you would react.
I told myself. I had been jealous of them just talking to each other, now they would be spending an entire evening clutching to one another. Ugh… I hated it and I hated myself for hating it.

I made my way to the food shop a few buildings down from where Madison was buying her dress. I sat at a table outside mulling over this new information.
 

“Francesca?” I turned around then suddenly wished I had not. Cecile McGee stood a few feet away wearing a smug smile. Please, please do not let her come over here, I begged the universe. My pleas went unanswered as Cecile closed the distance between us. “Well isn't this an unexpected surprise,” she teased. Not waiting to be asked, she took the seat opposite of me.
 

“Where are your friends, you know the ones that never seem to leave your side and follow you around like puppies?”

“No reason to be snide, Francesca. I saw you were alone and thought I would offer you companionship,” she chided.

“Thank you, but that is not necessary Cecile. I am in town with my cousin. She is providing all the
companionship
I need. I am simply waiting for her to conclude her business with the dress maker,” I explained.

“Ah yes. I am assuming it is for her dress for the Independence Day Celebration?” She pried.

“It is,” I confirmed. 

“I assume I will be seeing you there with the same handsome man as last time. What was his name again? Mr. Edwards? Or is he available to escort someone else?”
 

Wonderful. Two minutes of sitting alone with her and already my mind was back on the fact that Conner would be escorting Madison and not me. And at the same time I was grateful, for I did not want him accessible to the likes of Cecile or her entourage.

“No and no. He will be escorting my cousin, Madison.”

“Oh, I see,” she grinned snidely, emphasizing her words, suggesting a double innuendo.

“What exactly do you see, Cecile?” My tone was quickly becoming hostile. I had no patience for her mind games.

“Nothing,” she paused, “it is just that...” her eyes locked on to me, “he seems to be trading up in the family, is all.”

My jaw dropped at her statement. I could not believe she really had the audacity to say that to me. I was not sure what I had ever done to be on her bad side. In fact, after I thought about it, I was not sure if she even had another side. I sat there dumbfounded. Cecile's smile turned wicked. She knew she got to me. She only said what I had been thinking myself. She found my weakness and played on it.

“Enjoy the rest of your day.” Cecile turned and left without even a second glance.

Madison arrived minutes later, carrying a large box. She sat down in the spot Cecile had recently vacated. I was in the process of getting my features back under control after her rude comment. Madison eyed me for a second before she spoke. “Francesca is it strange for you, my going to the celebration with Conner.” Of course she sensed something was wrong. I could never do subtle very well.

“No Madison. Do not be silly. Why would it?” My eyes not meeting hers, I put my best smile on trying to make the lie as believable as I could.
 

One good thing had come from my sneaking around with Conner, now I could lie through my teeth.

“I am not sure. You just seemed a little upset, that was all.”

“No Madison, I just felt bad that I had not thought to help find someone to escort you, but you now have Conner so all is well.”

“Good. I am glad to hear you say that, because I really like him, Francesca.”

Of course she did. He was kind, brilliant, sweet, and handsome. What was there not to like?

We ate our food then returned home. Madison had wanted to look around more but I was ready for this day to be over and done with. The coach ride back was silent. I was thinking over everything I had learned today. I decided not to interrogate Conner, but I did want to know why he had not told me.

When we arrived home, the coach driver pulled up to the front of the house to let us out. When I exited, I spotted Conner and Steven sitting on the front porch. I was not the only one who seemed to noticed. Madison was up on the porch in seconds.
 

“You are going to absolutely love my dress Conner. Francesca can tell you, it is wonderful.” She followed behind the driver inside as he was carrying her box.

Once she was out of earshot, I turned to Conner. “Will you take a walk with me?” 

“Of course,” he spoke with an edge of weariness to his voice. I nodded to Steven as Conner made his way down the steps. We walked toward the back of the stables. It was the shortest distance to get a little privacy and I wanted it quickly.

“Francesca, I know you are upset.”

I shook my head. “Why could you not just tell me? It was more of a shock to hear it from her and then listen to her go on and on about it.”
 

“I am sorry. I just did not want to upset you.” He pulled me into his arms. I struggled for a moment, but Conner gripped me tighter. I was mad. I had every right to be, but being pressed against his body seemed to calm me. “Of course, I would rather go with you. You know that. I am sure your father has already made arrangements for Nicholas to take you, and well, she asked. What kind of gentleman would I be if I had told her no? She knows no one hear outside of her family.”
 

“Conner…” I said looking up into his eyes, “I did not expect you to say no, I would have just rather you had been the one to tell me.”
 

He nodded, “I am sorry Francesca. So are you alright with this?”
  

I shook my head, “No! It hurts like hell.” He smiled before pressing his lips to mine.

“Good. I would hate to hear you say that it did not bother you.” I laughed smacking him in the chest, then pulling his lips back to mine.

I paused looking up at him. Something seemed different. I let my eyes dance over him then I noticed it.

“Conner? Why are you wearing such a high collar? It is the middle of summer.” 

He was wearing a white dress shirt with a high collar. Black pants that hugged him perfectly. The first few days after his arrival, Conner had started wearing more casual things instead of his business suits. Today he was dressed very similar to what he wore in the beginning. Only thing missing was a suit jacket. Although, I could not recall his collar ever being quite so high.

He smiled at me. “I had to.” 

“Why?” I asked, confused.

He stepped away from me. His hands fumbled with the buttons around the collar of his shirt. He pulled the fabric away and I gasped.

There were small purple, bruise like marks along the column of his neck.

“What happened?” I asked. My hands were on the collar pulling it away so I could get a better look. It looked like someone had hit him in his neck, repeatedly.

He laughed brilliantly. “You.”

I looked into his eye. I was completely confused. “What do you mean?”

“Francesca. Last night, all that kissing and sucking…” He gestured with his hand to his neck. “This is what happened.”

I finally realized what he was saying. My eyes widened, “Oh my gosh, Conner. I am so sorry.”

“It is alright Francesca,” he said as he slowly began to do up the collar.

“No, Conner. Really, I am...”

“Francesca,” he started by cutting me off. “It is alright. I promise,” he said with a joking tone. I opened my mouth to say something else, but he pressed his lips to mine silencing me. He slowly pulled back. “Really, I am not saying it is alright so you do not feel bad. I am saying it is alright because I enjoyed it. All of it.” He gave me his perfect half smile, which caused me to smile. He finished buttoning up his collar then leaned in to kiss me. I pulled back almost immediately as the soft sound of voices were filling my ears.

“No, Madison I do not think they went this way.”

I recognized Steven's voice. He was being awfully loud and I knew he was doing it on purpose to let us know to hide.

“They are not in the house, Steven. Where else could they be?” Madison stated like it was an obvious notion. Which it was.

Conner grabbed my hand and pulled me along the side of the stable, to the back end that just entered to woods.

“Madison! I am telling you they went into the house,” Steven yelled a little louder. They were also getting closer to us. 

We hurried into the trees, carefully stepping on dried twigs and leaves, trying our best to not make a sound. We were just behind the safety of the stable when Madison appeared and following close on her heels was Steven. Madison continued walking right past the stable, never noticing Conner or myself. Steven slowed just a second. His eyes immediately locked on us then widened letting us know it had been close. I knew I would need to thank Steven later and I had never been more glad that he had come around about Conner and me.