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Authors: Victoria Alexander
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He stared at her for a long moment. She was as beautiful as she had always been, as
charming and amusing as well. And she was right.
charming and amusing as well. And she was right.
He had no doubt he would have loved her one day, but he certainly didn’t love her
now. His heart was not broken, although it did feel a bit chipped. Still, that might
well be his pride.
now. His heart was not broken, although it did feel a bit chipped. Still, that might
well be his pride.
Felicia was perfect for him and would have been a perfect Countess of Fairborough
one day. She did seem to be everything he had ever wanted. Or everything he had ever
thought he had wanted. But perhaps this was for the best.
one day. She did seem to be everything he had ever wanted. Or everything he had ever
thought he had wanted. But perhaps this was for the best.
Did he really want to marry a woman who was only his because nothing better had come
along?
along?
Chapter 2
“It’s amazing to me how quickly guests take their leave when there is the possibility
of becoming embroiled in something awkward.” The Countess of Fairborough swept into
the library and sank into the nearest chair with a sigh of exhaustion. “It’s only
slightly less amazing than those who wish to linger and view the destruction firsthand.
Like those people who flock to fires only to see the ruin they have wrought.”
of becoming embroiled in something awkward.” The Countess of Fairborough swept into
the library and sank into the nearest chair with a sigh of exhaustion. “It’s only
slightly less amazing than those who wish to linger and view the destruction firsthand.
Like those people who flock to fires only to see the ruin they have wrought.”
Win stood near the fireplace, yet another glass of whiskey in his hand. He and his
father had retired to the library late this morning shortly after Felicia and her
parents had departed, accompanied, of course, by Mr. Hedges-Smythe. Perhaps Felicia
had had the courage to face Win directly, but facing anyone else was a different matter
entirely. Indeed, her entourage had been prepared to flee the moment she’d called
off the wedding, leaving Win and his family to deal with the guests and all else that
accompanied cancelled nuptials. They had made a brief announcement to those who had
gathered for luncheon, and his mother had spent the rest of the day bidding farewell
to guests and agreeing that yes, it was a shame, but it was probably for the best.
Win and his father had taken refuge—some might say hidden—in the library.
father had retired to the library late this morning shortly after Felicia and her
parents had departed, accompanied, of course, by Mr. Hedges-Smythe. Perhaps Felicia
had had the courage to face Win directly, but facing anyone else was a different matter
entirely. Indeed, her entourage had been prepared to flee the moment she’d called
off the wedding, leaving Win and his family to deal with the guests and all else that
accompanied cancelled nuptials. They had made a brief announcement to those who had
gathered for luncheon, and his mother had spent the rest of the day bidding farewell
to guests and agreeing that yes, it was a shame, but it was probably for the best.
Win and his father had taken refuge—some might say hidden—in the library.
He glanced at his father seated in the chair that matched his mother’s, a glass in
his hand as well. “Why does every female here insist on calling this awkward? Awkward
is the very least of what this is.”
his hand as well. “Why does every female here insist on calling this awkward? Awkward
is the very least of what this is.”
Father shrugged. “Perhaps because if they were to use words like devastating or disastrous
it would seem so much more . . .”
it would seem so much more . . .”
“Devastating?” Win raised a brow. “Disastrous?”
“Perhaps a little less sarcasm . . .” his mother said under her breath.
Win stared at her.
“Oh dear, I am sorry.” She ran her hand over her forehead. “Forgive me, dearest, none
of this is your fault. It’s been a very long day and not at all the day I expected,
and I might be a bit, oh, out of sorts.”
of this is your fault. It’s been a very long day and not at all the day I expected,
and I might be a bit, oh, out of sorts.”
His father snorted.
Mother continued without pause. “Indeed, I think your wit is most amusing. I can’t
imagine any woman who wouldn’t think so. You are charming and handsome and dashing,
you’re quite clever and really all any woman could possibly want.”
imagine any woman who wouldn’t think so. You are charming and handsome and dashing,
you’re quite clever and really all any woman could possibly want.”
“Unless she wished to become a duchess someday,” his father said in a cool tone.
“There is that,” Win muttered and took another sip. He had resisted the inclination
to drink steadily through the course of the day and drown his sorrows as it were.
The realization that he wasn’t as much sorrowful as annoyed tempered that desire.
Indeed, the thought had already crossed his mind that not marrying Felicia was a better
idea than marrying her, even if it had not been his idea.
to drink steadily through the course of the day and drown his sorrows as it were.
The realization that he wasn’t as much sorrowful as annoyed tempered that desire.
Indeed, the thought had already crossed his mind that not marrying Felicia was a better
idea than marrying her, even if it had not been his idea.
“Well,” Mother began in a brisk voice. “What do you intend to do now?”
Win raised his glass.
She frowned. “You cannot spend the rest of your life with your head in a bottle, dear.”
“Good Lord, Margaret, leave the boy alone,” his father said sharply. “A man who has
been thrown over on the day before his wedding has earned to right to seek solace
in oblivion for, oh, a week at least, I would think.”
been thrown over on the day before his wedding has earned to right to seek solace
in oblivion for, oh, a week at least, I would think.”
“I doubt that I will need that much, Father,” Win said with a wry smile. “Apparently
I am not as crushed as one would expect. Disappointed, yes—my pride has definitely
been wounded—but all in all . . .” He thought for a moment. “I believe I am escaping
relatively unscathed.”
I am not as crushed as one would expect. Disappointed, yes—my pride has definitely
been wounded—but all in all . . .” He thought for a moment. “I believe I am escaping
relatively unscathed.”
His parents traded glances.
“Then you were not in love with her?” Caution sounded in his mother’s voice.
“I liked her a great deal. I believe now I might well have been infatuated with her
and we were well suited to one another. I can think of any number of couples who do
not have that much. I assumed love would come in time.” Win considered the question
for a moment. “I suppose I thought, given as everyone else thought we were the perfect
match, that we, well, were.” He chuckled. “And we probably would have been for the
rest of our lives had not a better catch come along. I expected to love her, sooner
rather than later really, but, no, I was not in love with her.”
and we were well suited to one another. I can think of any number of couples who do
not have that much. I assumed love would come in time.” Win considered the question
for a moment. “I suppose I thought, given as everyone else thought we were the perfect
match, that we, well, were.” He chuckled. “And we probably would have been for the
rest of our lives had not a better catch come along. I expected to love her, sooner
rather than later really, but, no, I was not in love with her.”
“That’s something at any rate.” Mother blew a relieved breath. “I do hope you do not
allow this to discourage you, dear. There are any number of charming young ladies
who would be most interested should you do little more than glance in their direction.
Why, I can name a dozen off the top of my head. After a suitable interval—”
allow this to discourage you, dear. There are any number of charming young ladies
who would be most interested should you do little more than glance in their direction.
Why, I can name a dozen off the top of my head. After a suitable interval—”
He laughed. “And what is suitable in circumstances such as this?”
“I’d say about the time her engagement to another man is announced to be more than
long enough,” Father muttered.
long enough,” Father muttered.
Mother cast him an annoyed glance. “Long enough that it does not appear you threw
her over for someone else.” Her lips pressed together in a prim line. “I don’t know
why you wish for everyone to think calling off the wedding was by mutual accord. I
think she should be known for the . . . the . . . the opportunist she is.”
her over for someone else.” Her lips pressed together in a prim line. “I don’t know
why you wish for everyone to think calling off the wedding was by mutual accord. I
think she should be known for the . . . the . . . the opportunist she is.”
“First of all, I would much prefer not to be the object of pity,” Win said firmly.
“And there is much less chance of that if this is seen as being amicable.”
“And there is much less chance of that if this is seen as being amicable.”
“Still, people will talk. There’s bound to be a certain amount of gossip.” She drummed
her fingers on the arm of the chair. “Why, no doubt, conclusions will be drawn as
to your behavior. They’ll assume you did something dreadful. You do have a reputation
for fast living, you know.”
her fingers on the arm of the chair. “Why, no doubt, conclusions will be drawn as
to your behavior. They’ll assume you did something dreadful. You do have a reputation
for fast living, you know.”
“Excellent.” Father nodded. “I would much rather it be thought that my son did something
unforgivable in the eyes of his fiancée rather than that he was nearly taken in by
a girl who was little more than a fortune hunter.” He aimed a pointed look at his
son. “Most women, interesting women that is, especially those suitable for a man of
your prospects, are most intrigued by a man whose reputation is not entirely spotless.
A bit wicked, as it were.”
unforgivable in the eyes of his fiancée rather than that he was nearly taken in by
a girl who was little more than a fortune hunter.” He aimed a pointed look at his
son. “Most women, interesting women that is, especially those suitable for a man of
your prospects, are most intrigued by a man whose reputation is not entirely spotless.
A bit wicked, as it were.”
Mother gasped. “Roland!”
“Come now, Margaret, you must admit you were initially attracted to me because I was
considered entirely too dangerous for a young lady of good breeding.”
considered entirely too dangerous for a young lady of good breeding.”
“I was not!” Indignation sounded in her voice. “Why, I never—”
“Oh, but you did, Margaret,” Father said with a smug smile. “You most certainly did.”
Win looked from one parent to the next. That was a story he had never been told. And
one he wasn’t sure he ever wished to hear. There were some things about the past lives
of one’s parents one should probably never know.
one he wasn’t sure he ever wished to hear. There were some things about the past lives
of one’s parents one should probably never know.
He cleared his throat and continued. “Secondly, Mother, consider this for a moment.
If you had a daughter, would you not want her to make the best marriage possible?”
If you had a daughter, would you not want her to make the best marriage possible?”
Mother sniffed. “Not at the expense of other people’s happiness.”
“Do you really think I would have been happy with someone who cared so little for
me that they would cast me aside for someone with a larger fortune and grander title?”
Win shook his head. “In truth, I think I have had a narrow escape and I feel quite
lucky at the moment.” He grinned. “Indeed, this is entirely too good to waste. I believe
I shall head to London tomorrow and try my hand at the gaming tables.”
me that they would cast me aside for someone with a larger fortune and grander title?”
Win shook his head. “In truth, I think I have had a narrow escape and I feel quite
lucky at the moment.” He grinned. “Indeed, this is entirely too good to waste. I believe
I shall head to London tomorrow and try my hand at the gaming tables.”
“Well, next time, you shall have to choose someone—”
“Next time,” Win said in a no-nonsense tone. This was not up for discussion and the
sooner his mother realized it the better. “Next time is very far away and not something
I wish to consider at the moment.”
sooner his mother realized it the better. “Next time is very far away and not something
I wish to consider at the moment.”
“Permit him to recover from this time first.” His father’s gaze met his. “Even though
he is taking this debacle in stride, such things are never as easy as they look.”
he is taking this debacle in stride, such things are never as easy as they look.”
“Thank you, Father.” Win smiled.
“I suppose,” Mother murmured.
“Oh and, Father, you had mentioned something about it being past time I learned management
of the estate and the family’s business interests.”
of the estate and the family’s business interests.”
“Yes?”
“Well, I agree. I know you had originally planned to divide those responsibilities
between Gray and myself but, as we have no idea when he’ll return from his pursuit
of success in America . . .” Win shrugged. “I am prepared to take it all on. Indeed,
I look forward to it.”
between Gray and myself but, as we have no idea when he’ll return from his pursuit
of success in America . . .” Win shrugged. “I am prepared to take it all on. Indeed,
I look forward to it.”
“Then we shall begin at once. Well . . .” A slow, decidedly knowing smile spread across
his father’s face. “When you return from London, that is.”
his father’s face. “When you return from London, that is.”
“No more than a week or so, I would think.”
“Take as long as you wish, Winfield.” Father nodded in a sage manner. “And do enjoy
yourself.”
yourself.”
Again, Win was struck by all the things he didn’t know about his parents in their
younger days. Still, from the few stories he had heard through the years, he had always
suspected his father had indeed been something of a rake in his day. And the current
Earl of Fairborough probably knew far better than his wife what it would take for
his son to recover from his cancelled wedding.
younger days. Still, from the few stories he had heard through the years, he had always
suspected his father had indeed been something of a rake in his day. And the current
Earl of Fairborough probably knew far better than his wife what it would take for
his son to recover from his cancelled wedding.
His father would probably understand as well that there was an odd ache somewhere
in the vicinity of Win’s heart. Not that Win would ever admit such a thing. No, this
dull pain was a secret he doubted he would ever reveal to anyone. Besides, what could
he say?
in the vicinity of Win’s heart. Not that Win would ever admit such a thing. No, this
dull pain was a secret he doubted he would ever reveal to anyone. Besides, what could
he say?
Did he ache for what he had lost?
Or for the shattered promise of what now would never be?
June 1879
My dear Gray,
While it is unfortunate your business concerns did not allow you to travel to England
it was perhaps for the best. Although I could certainly use your assistance at the
moment in my stalwart attempts to drink most of the spirits in the country and bed
as many of its women as possible.
it was perhaps for the best. Although I could certainly use your assistance at the
moment in my stalwart attempts to drink most of the spirits in the country and bed
as many of its women as possible.
I regret to inform you that the wedding of Miss Felicia Abigail Whitingdon and the
Viscount Stillwell did not take place as planned as the bride decided she would much
prefer to be a duchess rather than a mere countess. Yes, indeed, Gray, I have been
thrown over for a man who will one day have a more prestigious title and a greater
fortune.
Viscount Stillwell did not take place as planned as the bride decided she would much
prefer to be a duchess rather than a mere countess. Yes, indeed, Gray, I have been
thrown over for a man who will one day have a more prestigious title and a greater
fortune.
Oddly enough, I am not sure if my heart is as wounded as my pride. Upon reflection,
I realize the exquisite Felicia was not as perfect a match as I had initially believed
although, had the wedding not been cancelled, it might well have been many years before
I realized that fact. Perhaps even a lifetime. As the thought of living the rest of
my days with the wrong woman is as a cold hand squeezing my heart, this development
is for the best. At least I have convinced myself of that.
I realize the exquisite Felicia was not as perfect a match as I had initially believed
although, had the wedding not been cancelled, it might well have been many years before
I realized that fact. Perhaps even a lifetime. As the thought of living the rest of
my days with the wrong woman is as a cold hand squeezing my heart, this development
is for the best. At least I have convinced myself of that.
This incident, as Mother refers to it, has led me to consider my life in a new light.
While I daresay I shall not entirely abandon my wicked, but most enjoyable, ways,
I am resolved to turn my attentions to matters of business, property management and
all else I will need in the future to ensure the prosperity of the family. Father
is most pleased. I daresay I shall become quite respectable and eminently proper and
even a bit stuffy. God have mercy on us all.
While I daresay I shall not entirely abandon my wicked, but most enjoyable, ways,
I am resolved to turn my attentions to matters of business, property management and
all else I will need in the future to ensure the prosperity of the family. Father
is most pleased. I daresay I shall become quite respectable and eminently proper and
even a bit stuffy. God have mercy on us all.
There is a lesson to be learned here even if admittedly, I have no idea what it is.
I know the next time I choose a wife, I shall want someone who has more depth of character.
Although it has always seemed to me those women who truly have good character are
not always as easy to gaze upon. Felicia was very easy to gaze upon.
I know the next time I choose a wife, I shall want someone who has more depth of character.
Although it has always seemed to me those women who truly have good character are
not always as easy to gaze upon. Felicia was very easy to gaze upon.
Mother says she never liked her. . . .
Part Two
Lucille
My Dearest Cousin Beatrice,
Lord Stillwell and I have fixed on the fourteenth of September for our marriage. It
will be celebrated at his family home of Tairborough Hall and will indeed be the happiest
day of our respective lives.
will be celebrated at his family home of Tairborough Hall and will indeed be the happiest
day of our respective lives.
I cannot tell you how pleased I am to have found a man of the steadfast nature and
stalwart character of Winfield Elliott I consider myself extremely fortunate and his
feelings echo mine. We are agreed that we are well suited.
stalwart character of Winfield Elliott I consider myself extremely fortunate and his
feelings echo mine. We are agreed that we are well suited.
Our happiness will only be increased if you will favor us with your presence at the
ceremony. It shall be small and dignified, as is appropriate for his station and mine.
Da say you will come, Cousin, as your absence would surely cast a pall on what will
certainly be the most important day of my life.
ceremony. It shall be small and dignified, as is appropriate for his station and mine.
Da say you will come, Cousin, as your absence would surely cast a pall on what will
certainly be the most important day of my life.
Your loving Cousin,
Lucille
Lucille
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