Ladies of Deception 02 - Misleading Lord Martineau (17 page)

Thursday May 19
th
, 1814

It had been almost a fortnight since Elliot had seen Felicity or had even gone to visit Edith for that matter. In fact, he hadn’t seen much of anyone besides his butler Percival and his valet Charles, both of which had resorted to viewing his unkempt appearance and indifferent attitude with barely contained disdain when he had long ago stopped listening to their pleas that he snap out of his bad mood. He had refused to let Charles shave him and he hadn’t bothered doing it himself either, his face now covered with a short, dark beard that hid the dimple on his cheek completely.

He wasn’t surprised when Percival found him in his study sipping a glass of brandy to announce that he had a visitor. He had actually been surprised that no one had come by earlier, knowing it was only a matter of time before Pierce or Hope or both showed up to try and lecture him for his bad behavior.

He was too indolent to go see who his company was, instead instructing Percival to send the visitor back to his study instead. He was amused when he saw Felicity walk in, completely readied up for the evening. She was dressed in another new dress, this one a dusty shade of purple with short puffed sleeves and floral embroidery covering the bodice, the bottom half of her skirt was covered in tucks and flounces. She had completed her ensemble by adding a pearl choker around her neck and a fan dangling delicately from her wrist.

She sat down in the chair facing his desk, her back stiff as she said, “I have an important matter I need to discuss with you.”

“Very well.”

“
It’s about Edith. I don’t think you should come see her anymore.”

Elliot’s shoulders stiffened, “You can’t be serious.”

Felicity looked at Elliot’s pain filled eyes and felt sorry for him, but not sorry enough. “I am quite serious Elliot, I grow weary of comforting her when she cries for her papa. How do I explain to her why you haven’t come and seen her lately?”

“
I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “But I thought she liked my visits, I thought we got along quite nicely.”

“
She did like your visits; it’s when you left that she got upset. Look, I can live with you coming and going out of my life at your will but I will not sit back and see you do that to my daughter. I didn’t come to negotiate anything with you or to try and make you feel guilty; I simply came to tell you that I think it would be best if you stayed out of her life.”

Elliot had thought he had already reached rock bottom, but Felicity’s announcement had made him realize that he hadn’t yet gotten as low as he could. “I can’t do that, I’m not going to be able to stay away.”

“Seems to me you’ve had no problem staying away recently but that’s beside the point. The point is that she’s young; she’s already had to deal with a lot in her short life. She already has a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that I’m not going to abandon her; she doesn’t need to be worrying about your abandonment as well. Besides, when I remarry you won’t be able to be in her life anyway.”

Elliot let her words sink in, feeling a rising panic at what she was implying. Her ploy all along had been to marry a gentleman of the ton who thinks she is a widow with a child. When she remarries her husband will likely choose to raise Edith with devotion, leaving him no place in either of their lives. His heart stilled, he wasn’t sure if he could handle the ramifications of such actions.

When Elliot didn’t say anything in response Felicity rose gracefully from her chair. “Thank you for understanding.”

Elliot finally managed to choke out, “But I don’t understand.”

“You will someday. Good evening.” Felicity turned away from him, no longer able to stand the hurt etched on his face. She had been shocked to see his appearance so neglected. She could tell by one look at him that he was miserable but what she didn’t understand was why he chose to continue to remain in his self-inflicted misery. Couldn’t he see that none of them were happy?

Just as she was leaving his study she heard him call out, “But I love her.”

She stopped in the doorway and turning her head over her shoulder she whispered to him, “I know you do” before disappearing out the door.

Elliot watched in stunned silence as she left him, this time quite possibly for the last time. When he heard the door shut close he whispered even more quietly, “But I love you too.”

***

Felicity detested keeping up appearances, especially when the character she was playing was about as far from her current situation as she could get. She hated pretending like she was a widow just coming out of her mourning period, anxious and ready to socialize and eager for men’s company. Truthfully she would be more than happy to remain at home with Edith and Aunt Agnes but she knew what her duty was and she was willing to fulfill it.

Lord Wadsworth had been making eyes at her all night while she desperately tried to pretend that she was oblivious to his attentions. When she finally had a break in dancing he marched right over and claimed her for the next set, a country dance. She was relieved that it wasn’t a waltz where she would be forced to speak face to face with the man for an uninterrupted amount of time. This way she could acceptably avoid any deep conversation and probing from him as they both passed from partner to partner, coming together briefly before separating again.

“
Lady Davenport, I had feared you were avoiding me,” He said as they began the first steps of the dance.

Felicity laughed nervously, “Nonsense, why would I do such a thing?”

“That’s what I was trying to figure out. I must admit I was delightfully surprised to see you tonight, I had gotten the impression at our last meeting that you were no longer going to be…” he paused searching for the right word, “available.”

“
Life’s funny like that sometimes, we never know what little surprises it holds. But as you can see, I’m very much available.” Felicity’s smile was in place but she didn’t feel sincere as she attempted to flirt with him. She inwardly cursed Elliot for ruining her for any future man; no one would ever possess her heart like he did.

Lord Wadsworth grinned down at her and she conceded that he at least had a nice smile. “You don’t know how much it pleases me to hear that.”

Just then she twirled down the line to her next partner, thankful for the reprieve from her pathetic and uncomfortable attempts at flirting. She momentarily looked down at her satin slippers to ensure she had the right footing before looking up just in time to meet her new partner. She gasped out loud and stumbled before recovering and looking into Elliot’s smug face. She felt like she was looking at a completely different man than the one she had seen earlier in the evening. Before he had been sullen, his blue eyes lifeless and his appearance neglected. He looked almost dangerous standing before her now, his face freshly shaved and his clothing immaculate. He was wearing a silvery blue waistcoat that showed just above the high cut of his black coat, intensifying the color of his eyes. His cravat was tied expertly in the mathematical, the snowy folds contrasting against his tanned skin and strong jaw line.

He smiled at her mysteriously but she couldn’t decipher his mood. He leaned in close, speaking low as they came together briefly, “You should stay away from him,” he warned before the steps of the dance took her away from him once more.

Felicity gave him a perplexed look as she mindlessly performed the steps of the dance before coming face to face with Elliot once more. “Who should I stay away from?” she asked.

In lieu of an answer, he motioned towards Lord Wadsworth with his eyes, his head remaining straight forward the entire time. “Lord Wadsworth?” she asked incredulously.

Elliot nodded but before she had a chance to respond she was making her way back to the man in question, Lord Wadsworth. She was oddly relieved to be back at his side and away from Elliot. Just being in his presence had caused her pulse to quicken and her heart to flutter. At one point in the dance she had gotten near enough to him to smell his shaving lotion which caused an unsettling swirl of desire to take root in her belly.

When Lord Wadsworth reached once more for her hand she noticed the absence of emotion she felt at his touch, if anything she may have felt a twinge of repulsion. She could feel his clammy hands through her gloves and looking up into his face she noticed little droplets of sweat accumulating on his forehead and around his hairline. She knew that most women of the ton found him to be quite fetching, but next to Elliot he just didn’t compare.

As the music came to an end he bowed deeply before her taking one hand in his and pressing a lingering kiss to the inside of her wrist. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from cringing. He was hesitant to let go of her hand and break contact with her as he rose.

Straightening his shoulders he said, “I find it quite warm in here, would you like to take a stroll with me through the gardens?”

Panic seized her chest as she had flashbacks to the last time she had been asked to stroll through the gardens by a gentleman and had obliged—the night Elliot had proclaimed his love for her, the night Edith had been conceived.

She gnawed nervously on her lower lip trying to formulate a polite excuse that would sound sincere when she felt a hand rest shockingly on her waist. She turned in surprise to see who had dared be so forward and saw Elliot standing there, his wicked grin flashing. “I believe this next dance belongs to me.”

Felicity turned apologetically towards Lord Wadsworth, noting the way his brows furrowed together in irritation at the interruption. “Beg pardon my lord,” then turning to Felicity, “We’ll have to take a stroll some other time.”

Lord Wadsworth nodded curtly as Elliot pulled Felicity out onto the dance floor. The orchestra struck up the opening chords of a waltz as one of Elliot’s arms went around her waist, the other arm reaching for her hand. Felicity stood stiffly with both of her arms at her sides, unwilling to cooperate. Couples all around them on the dance floor began moving in time to the music while both of them stood there eerily still.

“What’s going on Felicity? The dance has begun.”

“
That’s what I want to know Elliot,” she snapped, “What exactly is going on and why are you warning me to stay away from Lord Wadsworth?”

He lowered his voice to avoid being overheard, “He’s only out to ruin you.”

Felicity threw her head back and laughed mirthlessly. Several heads turned to stare causing Elliot’s face to heat with embarrassment. The last thing he wanted was to draw unwanted attention to them but Felicity seemed oblivious to the scene they were causing. “That’s the most pathetic thing I have ever heard. He can’t ruin me because you already have.” She laughed again, causing more heads to turn.

“
Stop laughing, it’s not funny.”

“
No,” she agreed, “It isn’t but it’s a part of life I’ll have to deal with forever.”

Elliot grasped her upper arm and began leading her out of the ballroom, desperate to get away from the prying eyes of the ton. He was honestly surprised that Felicity seemed to follow with little resistance; he had been ready to toss her over his shoulder and carry her from the room if it had been necessary. Luckily for the both of them, it hadn’t been.

Elliot assisted Felicity into his carriage and watched as she stumbled clumsily onto the seat, laughing all the while. He looked at her curiously with one eyebrow raised, “Did you consume a little too much champagne tonight?”

“
None,” she answered.

He hoisted himself up into the carriage and sat across from her. “Then what’s so funny?”

“This situation…you.” She quickly sobered and continued, “I find it maddeningly infuriating that you came here tonight to attempt to warn me away from Lord Wadsworth. You’re the most arrogant man alive to think that you have any right to dictate what I can or can’t do. You’re a selfish, pathetic, galling…”

Elliot cut her off, “Though I’m hesitant to interrupt your glowing assessment of my character, love, I must insist that you stop. I know that I deserve every abominable thing you have to say, but I had really hoped that we could have a civil conversation.”

“I thought you had decided that we were done having conversations, that there was nothing left between us.”

“
I was wrong,” he stated directly. “I have spent nearly a month being consumed with guilt at all the pain my actions have caused everyone, especially you. I honestly thought you’d be better off without me. I wasn’t sure if you could ever forgive me.”

“
I already forgave you, Elliot,” she scoffed. “Haven’t I already said as much?”

“
You said it but I couldn’t believe it. And you’re right, I am selfish—the reason I’m here tonight is because after you came to my house to tell me to stay out of Edith’s life I nearly lost it—I can’t imagine a life without the both of you, at least not a pleasant one. I’m here because I’m madly in love with you and always will be. I’m here because I’m sorry and I want to beg you to forgive me.” He inched his face closer to hers with every reason he gave her, “I’m here because I’ve realized that I’m nothing without you. I’m here because I don’t want anyone else to have you and I know that makes me completely selfish but that’s the truth. And lastly, I’m here because I want to convince you to become my wife.”

Felicity held her breath, not sure if she dared breathe and interrupt his impassioned speech. When it became clear that he was waiting for her to respond she simply asked, “Really?”

“Yes, I’m serious about every single thing I said, especially the part about being selfish.” His face was so close to hers at this point that the all consuming desire he had to lean forward and kiss her soft lips almost overtook him.

She took a minute to let his words sink in before saying in a shaky voice, “You hurt me so badly, Elliot. I love you so much and to have you just push me away like that was heartbreaking.”

Elliot pulled away from her just long enough to move over and sit on the seat next to her, reaching over and pulling her into his chest. “It broke my heart as well. But the thought of you being anyone else’s wife was more than just heartbreaking it was devastating, and the thought of somebody else being a father to Edith was completely unacceptable. I realized tonight that you were serious about going ahead with your plan to find a husband and that if I didn’t stop being so bullheaded I was going to lose you forever.”

“
I would be miserable with Lord Wadsworth,” Felicity admitted.

Elliot grinned, “I know you would and you may very well be miserable with me, a pathetic excuse for a man, but one thing I can promise you is that I’ll always, always love you and I’ll always try to make you happy. I’m only a man and know that I don’t deserve you but I need you Felicity, I need you more than I need air. I don’t want to live in a world where you aren’t by my side; I want us to be a family.”

“You can’t change your mind again Elliot,” she said, trying hard to think clearly while in his arms. “You can’t decide tomorrow that you’ve suddenly had a change of heart and don’t want me anymore.”

Elliot shook his head violently, “I never stopped wanting you and I never will. I just had a momentarily lapse in sanity is all.”

“But Elliot, don’t think that you can dictate how this relationship will be—I’m not going to be subject to your every whim, your ever-changing mood. I’ve already had my heart broken over you when I thought you had refused to wed me and take care of our child and having to relive all of that over again just recently was unbearable. How am I supposed to know that you won’t lose your mind again or that you won’t up and decide one day to push me away once more?”

“
I won’t,” he stated vehemently.

“
But how can I be sure?”

“
Are you asking if you can trust me?”Felicity looked at him, afraid to give him an honest answer for fear of hurting his feelings.

Elliot stared into her wide, green eyes and saw the vulnerability contained in their depths. He felt foolish all over again for his actions, knowing that the last thing on earth he had ever wanted to do was cause her any pain. “I plan on marrying you tonight so you can rest assured that my mind is completely and irrevocably made up,” he said with conviction, hoping to assuage some of her doubts.

Felicity struggled to pull out of his grasp so she could look into his face to see if he was being serious. Elliot’s arms wouldn’t loosen his hold on her, instead pulling her face close so that their noses were practically touching. “You can’t be serious!” Felicity breathed shakily, though her heart filled with hope.

“
I’ve never been more serious in my entire life. I’m not going to waste another day, another hour without you.”

“
But how? There’s no way that we can be married on such short notice and at this time of night.”

“
I sent Pierce to procure a special license earlier this evening. The only way we will not be getting married tonight is if by some chance he wasn’t successful in his mission.”

Felicity knew it was outrageously costly to acquire a special license but wasn’t surprised by his anxiousness to have her become his wife, for she was equally eager for him to finally become her husband and to know that they would finally be a true family, that no power or force would ever keep them apart again.

It wasn’t long before they were pulling up before Pierce’s townhouse, a footman scurrying to open up the door of the carriage for them. Elliot gave her hand a squeeze, “Let’s go see if tonight will be our lucky night. Are you nervous?”

“
Not at all, just ready.”

Squeezing her hand gently to reassure her he muttered, “Me too, more than you’ll ever know.”

They were led into the parlor where everyone was gathered taking tea as if it was the middle of the afternoon instead of late at night. Felicity wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the scene but was too distracted by the sight of the unfamiliar priest sitting next to the fireplace balancing a cup and saucer precariously on his knee. Her heart began to race at what this meant—her and Elliot would be getting married.

Pierce rose to his feet and walked over to where they were standing. The priest quickly followed behind him. “Good evening, I’d like to introduce you both to Father Worsley,” Pierce said as the priest stepped forward. “Father Worsley, this is the happy couple.”

Father Worsley was a middle-aged man with a soft, baby-face and thick spectacles. He appeared kind and gentle but spoke with authority. “Well shall we get started?” he asked as he clasped his hands together on top of his portly belly.

Felicity looked around the room and noted that Hope and Aunt Agatha were present but Edith was not. She turned her attention back to Father Worsley, “Do you have a moment to spare? I’d like it if my daughter could be present.”

“Of course I can wait,” Father Worsley responded kindly.

Felicity turned to Elliot, “I know that Edith’s sleeping but it would break her heart if she learned that she wasn’t able to be at our wedding.”

“Of course she needs to be here,” he said with complete understanding. “We’ll wait as long as necessary, would you like me to go get her?”

Aunt Agatha rose from where she was sitting, “I’ll go get the dear child, you two just stay put.”

While everyone waited for Aunt Agatha to return, Pierce turned to Father Worsley, “Just out of curiosity, do you know any nuns by the name of Sister Elenore?”

Before Father Worsley could answer Elliot scoffed, “I told you that there was no way that chit ran off to become a nun, why won’t you believe me?”

Father Worsley looked back at Pierce confused, “I knew a Sister Elenore years ago when I was residing in Kent,” he offered, hoping it would help.

Pierce huffed, “Well that wouldn’t be her, the girl I’m looking for would have just recently joined a convent, she’s only eighteen.”

Father Worsley rubbed his chin, “I’m not familiar with the girl you’re looking for, sorry.”

“
That’s okay,” Pierce sighed, “I knew it was a long shot but I was hopeful.”

“
Why are you looking for this girl, is she somebody important to you?”

“
Only his ward,” Elliot interjected.

Father Worsley’s eyes widened, “Oh. I take it you weren’t aware that she was joining a convent?”

“No,” Pierce answered, “And her brother who is her legal guardian is not going to be very pleased when he returns and finds his sister has gone missing.”

Just then Aunt Agatha returned carrying a sleepy Edith in her arms dispelling the tense mood that speaking of Miss Ogglesby’s disappearance had caused. She was laying her head against Aunt Agatha’s shoulder and sucking on her thumb, her droopy eyes appearing as if they were about to close at any moment. Felicity felt a twinge of guilt at having awoken the child but she was too excited to tell her daughter what was about to take place.

Both Felicity and Elliot went to her and the minute she registered that her papa was there she became fully alert, taking her thumb out of her mouth and reaching for him eagerly. Elliot laughed as he pulled her into his arms, “I’ve missed you poppet.”

“
Papa, I want to live with you,” she said in her sweetest voice, all warm and cozy still from sleep.

Elliot smiled at her, “Well your wish is my command. Your mother and I are getting married tonight so you can both come and live with me now.”

Her eyes widened in delight as she looked to Felicity for confirmation. Felicity placed a hand on her back, “We’re going to be a real family sweetheart, isn’t that exciting?”

“
Very,” Edith agreed before yawning a big open mouthed yawn then placing her thumb once more in her mouth and resting her head on Elliot’s shoulder.

Elliot turned to Father Worsley, “We better get this ceremony over with so this poor child can get back to bed.”

“Very well, it shouldn’t take long.”

The ceremony was simple and short, with no pomp or circumstance just simple words spoken between two people who had waited a long time to become husband and wife. Elliot didn’t take his eyes off of Felicity the entire time, to him she had never looked more beautiful. She was radiant—her cheeks were flushed pink and her eyes twinkled with unshed tears as she stood before the priest and recited her vows.

Felicity had imagined what it would be like to marry Elliot a hundred times over but never had she imagined it like this—standing in front of the fireplace in the Duke of Kerrington’s townhouse late at night with only a few people present, Edith snuggled soundly in Elliot’s arms. It was perfect and she wouldn’t change a thing.

When Father Worsley pronounced them man and wife, Elliot stepped forward and bent to meet her face, crushing Edith between them as he placed a tender kiss to her lips. He was loathe to pull away and probably wouldn’t have so suddenly if it hadn’t been for Edith struggling to get out from between the two of them. Everybody laughed as she managed to separate her parents from enjoying their first kiss as husband and wife.

Still holding Edith in his arms, Elliot reached into his pockets and extracted a ring. “This was my mother’s ring, my father gave it to her the day they were married. I know that they’d both be proud to have you wear it.”

Felicity stretched forth her hand and let him slide the emerald cut sapphire ring onto her left ring finger. She looked up at him and said, “It’s perfect.”

“You’re perfect,” he said as he leaned in for one more kiss.

Aunt Agatha was the first to congratulate them, offering them both a crushing hug. Pierce was next, slapping Elliot on the back, “All I can say is that it’s about time.” Turning to Felicity he said, “I’m glad you’re finally back and finally taking this man off of my hands. He’s been unbearable to live with these past four years.”

“You never lived with me,” Elliot reminded him.

“
No but that doesn’t mean you weren’t impossible to be around,” Pierce pointed out.

“
It’s not like you were always happy as a lark. Let me remind you that I’ve put up with my fair share of surliness from you.”

Pierce snarled, “I’m never surly.”

Hope came up and placed a hand on Pierce’s forearm, “Please do not get him snarling, I thought I had cured him of that appalling habit months ago.” Then turning to Felicity she hugged her as tightly as her belly would permit. “Congratulations. I’m so glad you’re finally getting your happily ever after. Nobody deserves it as much as you.”