Page 28 of Lady Farah Creates a Scandal (The Season of Secrets #2)

Halfway through Ava-Marie’s second piece of cake, Tiffany arrived with gloves and hat on, ready for them to depart. Farah could see the concern etched on her friend’s face. Their visit to Courtney was going to be difficult.

*

As they entered the carriage, Ashley turned to her and asked, “What went on between you and Lucien to make him interested in you?”

She would not feel guilty about this. It wasn’t her fault.

“He learned I did not wish to marry Rockwell, even if I faced a scandal. He also knew I was the daughter of a duke and had a large dowry. He decided I might be the answer to his problems. I had accepted his daughter and I’m the only woman of quality he knows whom he can be himself with.

He is not in love with me or anything like that. I’m merely convenient.”

“Convenient? Oh, goodness, did he ask you to marry him?” Ivy’s face went pale as Farah remained silent.

Ashley nodded. “I can see how it makes sense to him.”

“There is no need to tell Courtney anything about his offer of marriage. He didn’t even know at that point about Courtney. He knows about her now though, because Rockwell told him.”

“Rockwell? That’s interesting. I wonder why he felt the need to reveal Lucien’s engagement to Courtney?” Farah tried to ignore Tiffany’s knowing smile. Rockwell might have feelings for her, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t love.

It was only a few minutes’ ride to Lady Courtney’s house. As the ladies gathered outside the building, none of them were looking forward to this conversation. It should be a happy visit sharing good news, but Lucien’s lost memory changed everything.

The ladies were shown to the drawing room while they waited for Courtney.

Everyone fell silent as Courtney entered, her eyes quickly scanning their solemn faces.

Farah’s heart ached, knowing the news they were about to deliver would at first answer her prayers, but then just might shatter her friend’s world.

“What’s happened?” Courtney asked, her voice trembling slightly. “You’re all looking at me as if someone has died.”

Farah stepped forward, taking Courtney’s hands in hers. “Courtney, my dear friend, please sit down. We have some rather shocking news to share with you.”

As Courtney sank into the nearest chair, Farah could see the fear building in her eyes. Tiffany moved to sit beside her, while Ivy and Ashley hovered nearby, their faces etched with concern.

Farah took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Courtney, it’s about Lucien. He’s… he’s alive.”

The color drained from Courtney’s face. For a moment, she sat perfectly still, as if frozen in time. Then a small, choked sob escaped her lips. “Oh, that’s…that’s… Alive? But…how? Where? I don’t understand.” But her mouth couldn’t smile any wider. “I knew if I waited…”

Tiffany wrapped an arm around Courtney’s shoulders as Farah continued, her voice soft. “Rockwell found him in Ireland. He’s been living there for the past five years, but Courtney, there’s more you need to know.”

She watched her smile die. “He’s been living there for five years?” Courtney had quickly worked out that if he were alive, he’d left her and everyone he supposedly loved. Courtney’s eyes, brimming with tears, met Farah’s. “Why didn’t he come home?”

Farah swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her next words. “Lucien suffered a head injury during the rebellion. He…he has no memory of his life before waking up in Ireland. He doesn’t remember any of us, or…or you.”

A heart-wrenching cry tore from Courtney’s throat. She crumpled forward, her body shaking with sobs. Tiffany held her tightly, tears streaming down her own face.

“Who found him? How did this happen?” Courtney asked through sobs.

“When Rockwell went to Ireland to retrieve my money, he thought he saw Lucien. So a week ago, he sailed back to Ireland and found him. They arrived home last night. Lucien’s meeting his family right now. It’s all overwhelming for him. We’re all strangers to him,” Tiffany ended softly.

“It’s not fair,” Courtney wailed between gasps. “All these years, I’ve mourned him, loved him, waited for him. And now he’s back, but he doesn’t even know who I am?”

Ashley knelt before Courtney, taking her hands. “We’re here for you, Courtney. We’ll help you through this, whatever you decide to do.”

“Do?” Courtney rose and began to pace. “The timing couldn’t be worse. Just as I’d started to let someone else in… Is he expecting me to honor our engagement? I think it might be too late. What can I do? The man doesn’t know who I am. It’s not fair…”

Ivy added softly, “He may not remember, but he’s still Lucien. The man you fell in love with is still in there somewhere.”

Farah felt tears prick her own eyes as she watched her dear friend’s world crumble and reshape itself in a matter of moments. The joy of Lucien’s return warred with the pain of his lost memories, and she could see that battle raging in Courtney’s eyes.

“What do I do now?” Courtney whispered, looking up at them with a vulnerability that broke Farah’s heart. “How do I face him? How do I start over with a man who doesn’t even know me? Do I want to start over? I’ve just put it all behind me and finally managed to move on.”

“Perhaps you’ll know when you meet him?” Ivy said softly. “You will know if he’s the man you want to fight for or if you should walk away. But at least you have a second chance to find what you’ve lost. How many women can say that?”

Courtney wiped the tears from her face with the handkerchief Tiffany gave her. “He deserves more than my tears. I will, of course, see him and take one day at a time!”

Farah bit her lip. “There is one more bit of information you must know.” The other ladies looked away. They couldn’t look at Courtney. “He has a daughter, Ava-Marie. She’s three years old. His—wife—is dead. But her cousin Caitria has looked after the child for most of her life. She is here, too.”

Courtney sat still for one moment and then burst into tears again, and they gathered around her, offering what comfort they could.