The Wedding Deception (5 page)

- You're bothering me, Lydia.

- You think I'm bluffing. Think I'll keep it a secret because my reputation will be hurt more than yours. - She stood up. - I was naive in believing that you would issue to take responsibility. I should have thought not.

- Should it - Richard agreed, giving him back.

Threats of Lydia were confusing, though he strongly suspected that it was a bluff, an attempt to extort money from him. Deciding it was time for Lydia to get out as soon as possible, Richard turned to her and not liked what he saw brightness in his eyes that stared.

- Go to expel me, gentleman? - She challenged. - Careful. My life is on the brink of the abyss and warn you that if I fall, I will be happy to drag him with me.

- How dare you threaten me? - Enraged, he grabbed her arm and squeezed it until she grimaced in pain. - You will keep your mouth firmly closed, or regret it for life, her miserable.

- You're hurting me!

- And even more hurt if they do not obey me! - To emphasize the threat, Richard lifted his free hand and slapped the face of Lydia, almost tipping. - Understand?

She closed her eyes and agreed with a nod. Slowly, he released her, and Lydia swayed, trying to compose herself.

- Get out my face! - He was raving.

The
assault the driver, but do not stoop to the point of lying down with her again. Lydia leaned on the arm of his chair to regain his balance. Great. Would that he had learned his lesson.

Head down, defeated, she walked toward the door. Richard could not resist one final warning:

- I hope my good reputation remains intact, Lydia. If in doubt, I'll know who's to blame.

A look of pain and fear was the only answer to Lydia. Richard smiled. She was totally scared and intimidated. Women were always sentimental unpredictable. Despite his repeated denials, Richard knew that Lydia's condition was his problem, yes. Had to act cautiously. It would be prudent to go looking for Claire in London to make sure that Lydia would not reveal that he was the father of the child you expected.
Chapter IV

After the conversation ended with the Barrington family and lawyer, Claire was taken to the room where, moments later, he was served dinner.

Finished eating and started walking around the room. It was impossible to concentrate on reading, and had not taken his handiwork to keep his mind occupied. Loneliness stimulated his thoughts for the drama that unfolded in the house. A maid was helping her get ready for bed. Even though going to spend the night in bed, eyes open, Claire slept. Linen sheets reeked of the sweet fragrance of lavender, and the flames of the fireplace kept the room pleasantly warm. Contrary to their expectations, Claire fell asleep and only woke up the next morning. Claire opened her eyes and pulled the covers up to his chin, looked at the earrings of blue silk canopy, not knowing what to do now that the day had dawned. What other new features to expect? Maybe it was better for everyone if she stayed in the room. He felt ashamed for having ruined, even unintentionally, the engagement party of Lord Fairhurst. Never forget the look of horror and fury in his face when he had realized that she was actually his wife.

And how would you respond to the bride know that marriage should wait until all the formalities to be resolved? The joy and anxiety that all brides feel would be turned into sorrow.

But what about
your
wedding joy?

Claire nodded, wondering if the reason for this bizarre thought. Everyone dreams of a romantic wedding with Henry had died in the battlefield. And while other candidates have appeared, she never imagined herself married to another man who was not Henry. Until I met Jay.

He arrived with his eternal good humor and his understanding heart. The friendship between them had been strengthened soon. Jay will also suffer the pain of lost love. Become confident, without fear of being censored or told to forget the past. There had been no romantic illusions, and Claire had accepted the marriage with open eyes to the reality of their situation. She was grateful to Jay for helping her in a moment of difficulty and, indirectly, give you the opportunity to live an independent life. The modest inheritance that her grandmother had left him could only be taken after marriage. If Henry had survived the war, his life would have been very different. But he was dead, and Claire is resigned to her lonely life.

But why Jay had used the brother's name? She was not a person who dreamed of titles of nobility and the privileges that accompany them. It was important to know the reasons that led to this procedure, although he suspected it was not her that Jay wanted to impress.

When you hear a slight knock on the door, Claire sat up in bed.

- Come in.

Mary was the same maid who had attended the previous night.

- Good morning. I brought you some coffee and toast to start the morning - said the girl. - The full breakfast is served in the dining room for the family.

- Thanks Mary.

As she drank the coffee, Mary quickly opened the curtains, found the fire in the fireplace and arranged the flowers in the vase corner table.

- I decided that this morning's outfit? - The voice of the maid came from the dressing room.

After seeing the clothes and the Countess of Meredith, Claire imagine the astonishment of Mary with her simple dresses. She shivered, feeling increasingly displaced in that elegant atmosphere.

- I trust your choice.

Apparently, the decision was incorrect, for Mary agreed with a friendly smile. Finally, Claire left the room toward the dining room, feeling shaky legs, stopped for a moment before opening the door of the room. He squeezed his cheeks, trying to give them a little color.

Meredith received her with a radiant smile.

- Good morning, Claire. Glad you came to join us. Not everyone gets up so early. Claire smiled back and fulfillment.

- Coffee? - The butler asked. - Or maybe hot chocolate?

- Chocolate, please. - At his home, the chocolate was a luxury rarely served, and never at breakfast. He pretended not to notice the fine china and plenty of delicacies offered at breakfast each morning. Even the drinks emphasized the difference between their lifestyle and that of Lord Fairhurst.

- He went out to ride, Meredith? - She asked politely.

- Only through Hyde Park. My husband does not like getting up early, but I take for me to exercise and breathe fresh air.

- And take your breakfast in the morning with me before returning to their daughters

- the countess added.

- This morning walk makes me more prepared.

- I thought you lived here with his family - Claire said.

- When we're in London, we stayed with my father, the Duke of Warwick - Meredith explained. - Children love Grandpa.

- How many children do you have?

- Three girls. - Meredith gave a sly smile. - Before, my father complained about not having a male heir, and my husband, but if I do not have a boy, he's determined to send a petition to Parliament so that my oldest daughter can inherit the title. - The Marquise laughed. - My husband says I still have only daughters, only to see his father face the monarchy, nobility, Parliament and anyone who crosses his path!

Claire would like to know more about the possibility of a woman to inherit a title of such importance and prestige, but the unexpected question of the countess turned the subject.

- Jason talks about us?

Claire took a sip of chocolate. Mother and daughter were kind and were struggling to make her comfortable, but it's still loyal to Jay. Even if it was proven they were not husband and wife, Jay still deserves its discretion. Moreover, the relatives would be shocked if they knew that in part was the reason for Jay to marry. Grown tired of being pressured to marry. Your heart will suffer a disappointment, and the family refused to comply with their pain and their desire to avoid serious commitments. Fortunately, the arrival of Lord Fairhurst interrupted the conversation. He also wore riding habit. Was impeccable, and Claire was in doubt whether he was returning from riding, or would do after breakfast.

One thing was certain: he was a handsome man.

A chill ran down the spine of Claire. Was angry with such a reaction, totally unthinkable.

- Good morning. Do not let my presence interrupts the conversation, ladies - he said, sitting beside her sister.

- Claire was going to tell us what Jason was talking about the family. She stirred in his chair.

- Sorry, but I fear that Jay talked very little about you. Jasper waited for the waiter to serve it before you mock:

- My brother likes to discuss various topics, but his favorite subject was always himself.

- It's not fair - Claire protested.

- But true - Jasper said with a gleam of defiance in her eyes. Claire's hand stopped in the air, holding the fork near the mouth.

- I confess to difficulty booting Jay confidences, focusing on the reason for his dismay.

- A woman. With Jason, there is always a tail-to-skirt involved!

- Jasper! - The Countess reacted with indignation. - It is impolite to talk about another woman in the presence of Claire.

Claire put down his fork on the edge of a china plate. I could not bear the looks of pity from the two women. Certainly expected her to act as the jealous wife and outraged. The idea was absurd, but Jay's family would never know the truth about their marriage.

- I see that is not secret that Jay want to forget the past. - All eyes turned to Claire, obviously waiting for an explanation. But she did not intend to cooperate. - Please, I talked more than I should.

- Never ask him to betray the trust of my brother. - Meredith frowned. - However, you could at least tell us if the cause of anguish to Jason is a woman named Elizabeth?

No need to answer. By the expression of surprise and the blush that covered her face with Claire, it was evident that the marquise was right.

- My God, he is still suffering due to this nonsense? - Jasper did not disguise his contempt. - What childishness! I thought he had already matured! It is quite typical for Jason.

Claire got up a jump, pushing his chair noisily.

- I will not underestimate the suffering that Jay. Do not shoot your reason for being angry and upset, but that does not give you the right to make fun of his feelings.

- Heavens! - The countess exclaimed, looking at Claire with approval. - What a great defense, even after the way Jason treated her. His character shines in adversity, Claire, and their loyalty is admirable.

- Loyalty to the wrong person - Jasper muttered. He bit off a piece of toast and chewed slowly, revealing a thoughtful expression on his face. - You are my wife, until proven otherwise, so it has an obligation to share its secrets with me. With effort, Claire kept his expression impassive. The countess had just done him a compliment. Surely it would be an unpleasant way to discredit it if I started yelling at Lord Fairhurst.

- The secret is not mine, my lord, although he realized that Jay's feelings for Elizabeth are all aware. - She has to sit. He breathed deeply, trying to speak coherently.

- Jay insists he only told me about her for fully rely on my discretion. I will honor his privacy and ask you to respect my decision to not betray their trust. The reason it seemed to irritate him further.

- I bet he had suffered a great disappointment in love - Jasper replied impatiently. - Jason often spend hours and hours discussing Elizabeth. This is nothing more than an excuse to get drunk.

- Not true! How can you be so cruel? She married another. Jay was devastated.

- Actually, it was. - Jasper touched the corners of the lips with the linen napkin. - In case my brother did mention that this girl was married five years ago?

- Five years? - Claire nearly choked on the hot chocolate. - I had the impression that this was a more recent development.

- You see, it was not. Claire nodded.

- The passage of time can lessen the suffering, but the pain never goes away and a wound never heals. Stay forever.

- Speak from experience? - Lord Fairhurst asked in a tone more surprisingly gentle. She lifted her head and looks of them met. Claire blushed, embarrassed to reveal so much of herself.

- We are not discussing my disappointment, my lord, although they have helped me understand the feelings of Jay by Elizabeth.

- What happened to your boyfriend? - The countess asked in a tone filled with consternation.

- He died on the peninsula. Were holding to get engaged when he returned home, but he did not return from war.

- How sad, my dear. - The countess sighed. - Sorry for your loss.

- It's been a long time. - Claire's lips curved in a rueful smile. - An eternity.

- You knew for a considerable time? - Lord Fairhurst asked.

- Yes - She lifted her chin, allowing the memories unfold before your eyes. - Henry was the son of a neighbor. We had occasional contacts as children and teenagers, we discovered many common interests. It was no surprise to anyone when we started dating.

- Certainly, it would have been right. - Lord Fairhurst took a sip of coffee. - My brother's relationship with Elizabeth boiled down to half a dozen dances in different dances, a dinner at a reception, two carriage rides in Hyde Park, and an incalculable number of letters unanswered. In fact, he barely knew.

- Well, there was that incident on the day they met - the Countess said. - Jason saved the poor girl from the attacks of a madman.

- Truth. My brother has proven to be a man of honor and character, and helped save the life of Elizabeth - Jasper said.

- Sorry, my lord, you are almost proud of it - Claire triggered him. She knew the story of the incident with Elizabeth and had been impressed with the performance of Jay. It was good to know that the family also recognized its value.

- There is nothing I want more than admire my brother, but he makes it very difficult.

- In a sign of Jasper, the waiter poured him more coffee. - I would have given more credence to their suffering, if he believed in his sincerity. Jason is in love with the idea of loving Elizabeth. She is a fine girl, of good character who preferred a quiet life, common, and even dare to say, dull. Away from society, away from fads, away from the glamor and the sharp tongues of the aristocracy.