Page 29 of Lady Farah Creates a Scandal (The Season of Secrets #2)

T he drawing room was abuzz with excitement and whispers as the sisterhood gathered at Valora’s home the next day. The only person missing was Lauren, who didn’t wish to leave her returned-from-the-dead brother’s side.

The group of ladies, led by the ever-poised Tiffany, sat in a circle, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. Farah took her seat, noting how this was the first time they were all together since her foray to Ireland and Lucien’s unexpected return.

Tiffany began the meeting with the usual formalities, but it was clear everyone wasn’t thinking of shares or their wager with the men. They were too eager to discuss the latest developments regarding the man who had returned from the dead, as well as Courtney, and her predicament with Lucien.

“Have you talked with him yet?” Ivy said softly, breaking the tension. “What will you do now that Lucien is back?”

All eyes turned to Courtney, whose usually vibrant demeanor was now shadowed with uncertainty.

She sighed, her fingers nervously twisting a handkerchief in her lap.

“He’s calling on me this afternoon,” she admitted.

“I thought I had lost him forever, and I’d finally accepted that.

In fact, oh, never mind… But now he’s back…

it’s like a dream. A dream that I don’t know the ending of.

Everything has changed. He doesn’t remember me.

Is he even the same man I remember? How am I supposed to deal with that? Where do I start?”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them. She watched Courtney closely, empathizing with the turmoil her friend was experiencing.

“He is a man in need of a wealthy wife. You would seem the logical choice given your previous relationship. Is that something you’d consider?” Tiffany said.

Courtney nodded at her friend’s words. “Part of me wants to remind him of everything we had, to make him remember our love. But from what I have heard, he will never remember. He didn’t know Rockwell, and they were best friends since childhood.

Can I endure watching him live a life with no recollection of me?

Worse still, what if he no longer finds me attractive?

What if the attraction we felt for each other is no longer there? ”

“It’s a difficult situation. His father will want him to marry quickly because of their financial situation. Lucien may not have time to find a love match. He might wish to honor your contract. Have you thought of that?” Tiffany acknowledged.

Valora snorted. “He would be stupid to not consider you, because he knows he loved you once before. What if he wishes to hold you to the contract? Would you cry off?”

“But I’m just a stranger to him, as everyone is. Besides, he married. That nulls our betrothal.”

Farah spoke up. “He will consider you because we have all spoken so highly of you. But what about you? He will look like the man you loved,” she said with a sigh, “but he’s changed.

You must also consider what’s best for you, Courtney.

Can you marry a virtual stranger in the hope he learns to love you again?

Don’t lose yourself in trying to reclaim the past.”

Courtney nodded, but her eyes filled with unshed tears. “I just… I don’t know if I can risk my heart with him again. But I still love him so much. But I love who he was… What if I can’t love who he is now?”

Farah nodded. “Yes. He’s confused and frustrated by his amnesia.

I just wish his father wasn’t so concerned with money.

He needs time to find his way back into this world without having to worry about marriage.

” She reached out and squeezed Courtney’s hand.

“We’ll be here for you both.” Courtney smiled.

The other ladies murmured softly, their expressions a mix of sympathy and encouragement. Courtney wiped a tear from her cheek, a small smile breaking through her sadness. “Thank you. That means more to me than you can imagine.”

“What are you going to do?” Ivy asked gently.

Courtney straightened, a new resolve in her eyes. “I’m going to help him. I’ll be patient and give him the time he needs to decide what he wants and if we are still suited, but I will think of myself this time. I’ve waited long enough.”

They all knew Lucien had little time. Creditors were at the door.

Tiffany smiled warmly. “That’s the spirit, Courtney. Rockwell says he’s still the same man underneath his new persona. If that’s the case, there’s every possibility he will come to love you again.”

“And what are you going to do about Lord Franklin?” Valora asked Farah as she poked her in the arm.

“I am politely, but strongly, declining his offer. He is calling on me this afternoon, too. And I now know I don’t need to create a scandal to do that. The timid mouse is finally standing up for herself.”

“Is Blackstone back from his hunting lodge?” Tiffany pressed.

She shook her head. “Tomorrow or the next day. I’ll deal with him too.

” She wasn’t about to tell them she had a plan, should her newfound strength falter under her brother’s rule.

“I’m trying to think of a way to show my brother that I’m a grown woman capable of making her own decisions.

If not for the anonymous wager with the men, I’d show him how much I’d earned.

But then he would likely guess who his challengers were. ”

Tiffany clapped her hands together. “I know. Blackstone and Lucien used to be close. And given Lucien’s money situation and the rumor mill surrounding his return, it would be a kindness for the Duke of Blackstone to be seen supporting his return.

Why don’t you get the Blackstone to hold a welcome home ball for Lucien?

You could hold it in four days’ time on his return and have it all organized before your brother gets home, proving your capabilities to him. ”

Courtney excitedly leaned forward. “I’ll help you. We could do it together. That should get the ton talking.”

“There would certainly be no problem in getting society to attend at such short notice. Everyone wants to see the man who came back from the dead,” Valora said dryly.

“Don’t you think we should ask Lucien first?” The excitement died away at Ashley’s words.

“I’m sure Lucien, or at least Lord Danvers, will think it a fine idea. He wants his son to find a wife.” Courtney’s words were filled with resentment. “And the mothers of young ladies will throw their daughters at him.”

Farah wished she could offer some advice to her friend, but nothing came.

Farah really did not know what Lucien would do.

Would he decide Courtney was for him? Or would she merely be an easy option?

Farah wasn’t sure what Courtney would do if that were the case.

But Courtney had loved him so deeply, many thought she’d never get over his death.

That might make her settle, and she deserved more. But then if she still loved him…

The meeting continued with a renewed sense of purpose.

While the challenge against the men and their shares was important, the ladies were firmly in the arena on two separate missions.

One, to see if Lucien could fall in love with Courtney once more.

And two, to help Farah stand up to her brother and thwart Lord Franklin.

Farah felt a swell of pride and gratitude for her friends.

Never had she felt so lucky to have these women by her side.

*

That afternoon Farah sat in her drawing room of her home in the Blackstone townhouse, the sparkling sunlight filtering through the lace curtains, casting delicate patterns on the plush carpet.

She’d tried to ignore Mrs. Thompson, who refused to let her greet Lord Franklin alone.

She clasped her hands tightly in her lap, willing them to stop trembling.

The past weeks had been a haze of fabricated ailments and lies, but the time had come to face her unwanted suitor.

There was a clearing of a throat at the open door and Howard, the family butler, announced, “Lord Franklin, my lady,” and Lord Franklin stepped in, his tall, thin frame casting a long shadow across the room.

His face, usually so composed, was now a mask of concern.

He approached her with determined strides, his boots echoing ominously on the wooden floor.

“Lady Farah, my dear. How good it is to see you fully recovered. Recovered enough, in fact, to be hosting a large ball in four days’ time. And Blackstone is not yet home.”

She motioned him to sit. She hated how he towered over her.

At least while sitting, she wouldn’t feel intimidated by him.

“Would you like some brandy, perhaps? Or tea?” He nodded to indicate tea.

She took a deep breath. Might as well get this over with.

“I’m well recovered, thank you. Lady Tiffany and Lord Wolfarth have looked after me well. ”

“So, are you feeling strong enough to discuss our marriage? I was thinking of an October wedding.”

“I do not believe I have accepted your proposal, my lord.”

He sat back in his chair and gave her a smile that seemed to say, don’t be so foolish, it’s a forgone conclusion . “Come now. Your brother welcomes the match, and I am rather wealthy.”

This was going to be painful, and she willed her backbone to stiffen. “You are indeed a fine man. However, I’m not sure we would rub along together at all well. So, I’ve made my decision. I regretfully must decline your generous offer.”

“Lady Farah,” he began, his voice filled with anger, “I have waited patiently, endured your endless postponements, but I will not allow you to make a fool of me any longer. Is there another suitor?”

How she wished she could say yes. “No. It’s just I am content to wait until I find a match I feel I’m better suited to.”