Page 19 of Trusting Miss Austen (Miss Austen #3)

When I had recovered somewhat and no longer felt like I was a walking icicle, I put on some dry slippers, repinned my hair, straightened my mask (which I had been wearing this whole time!), and plastered a smile on my face.

If Max wanted me to act like nothing was wrong for our guests, then that was exactly what I would do, even though I was dying inside. So I smiled and danced with Evan (who was oblivious that anything untoward had happened), with Tobias (who apologised profusely for spitting at me), and with Papa (who questioned me intensely about where I had been).

‘Do not ask me, Papa,’ I said, gritting my teeth and smiling widely as he twirled me around. ‘Not until after the ball is over.’

At eight o’clock, an hour after Max had ridden off on Apollo, there were murmurings from the guests about the weather and anxious looks out the window at the snow.

I encouraged this by saying in a concerned tone, ‘Yes, it does look bad out there. I hope your carriage does not get stuck.’

Unfortunately, this meant that some guests wanted to stay the night, but I nipped that in the bud by saying that we had no spare beds but joked that they could sleep in the stables if they liked. This had the desired effect; and by quarter past, there was only family and friends, a few wilted sandwiches, and the dregs of lemonade left. But there was still no sign of Max.

Evan kept asking, ‘Where is Max? And why is Harriet upstairs, looking after Rosalind? And what happened to her fiancé, that pleasant Dorian chap?’

Finally, I told him, and anyone else who wanted to know, to follow me to the parlour, where I would tell them what was going on.

Now anxious about what I was going to say, I rubbed my aching neck and headed there with Evan, Jane, Cassie, Papa, and Aunt in tow. Lucinda and Harry went to change out of their wedding outfits, and Seraphina took Tobias upstairs as she feared hearing the story again might set him off.

I removed my mask and stood in front of the fire with my hands clasped, as if I were going to recite a passage from a book. In a way, I was—only it was a passage about my life, and I wanted to get it over with.

‘If you’d all like to sit down, I will explain what has been happening tonight and the events that have led to it. Afterwards, you can partake of some tea with rum if you find the story vexing.’

I know I will be having a large cup ...

Jane gave me an encouraging smile and sat at the writing desk in the corner so the sofa was free for the others.

‘Goodness me,’ said Aunt, sitting down and smoothing her skirts. ‘Whatever it is, it cannot be that serious?’

‘I’m afraid it is, Aunt. But please let me say what I have to say without interrupting, or else I won’t be able to get through it all.’

‘Very well.’ She pursed her lips, and Papa took her hand, but I was not too surprised by this. He had told me of his intention to propose to Aunt while we were dancing and had asked for my blessing. It had not been the best timing as I could hardly focus, but I had wholeheartedly given it and wished him well. I did not know when he planned to ask her and hoped that what I was about to say would not spoil his moment.

I cleared my throat. ‘You all remember that a couple of years ago, I visited Jane in Bath with Lucy.’

They nodded.

‘While we were there, we met a man called Dorian Hart, who is Harry’s brother.’

‘And who is Rosalind’s fiancé?’ asked Evan. ‘He disappeared before I could make his acquaintance but seemed a nice-enough fellow. ’

I gave him a quick nod. ‘Yes, he is also Rosalind’s fiancé. After making our acquaintance, Dorian invited Lucy, Jane, and me to Hartmoor, his family’s castle.’

‘How lovely,’ said Aunt with a smile. ‘I should like to hear more about that. You do not tell us nearly enough in your letters, Felicity.’

I sighed inwardly. Asking for no comments and to let me speak was perhaps asking too much. I pressed on.

‘We thought, from his attention and the impression he gave us, that Dorian was courting Lucy and intended to propose to her. But I discovered that he had tricked us into thinking so and was only interested in marrying Lucy for her money. And unbeknown to us, he had tricked her further into ... losing her maidenhead to him.’

I could not think of a more delicate way to put it.

Aunt’s eyes widened, and she gripped Papa’s hand tightly.

Cassie looked accusingly at Jane. ‘You did not tell me about that when you returned.’

Jane tilted her head at her sister. ‘I did not know it!’

‘Go on, Felicity,’ said Papa, frowning as the story had taken an unexpected turn.

I rubbed my temple tiredly. ‘I thought that I had successfully managed to extricate Lucy from his clutches. But a few months after I returned home, Lucy and Seraphina appeared unexpectedly one night on our doorstep ...’

Cassie groaned. ‘Oh no, don’t tell me ...’

‘Yes, Lucy was with child.’

No one said anything, and I grappled with how to proceed next.

Evan prompted me by saying, ‘So not such a nice fellow after all. I assume Harry knows, Felicity? Did Lucy give the child away or ...?’

‘The child is Freddie,’ I said flatly. ‘I lied about giving birth to him to protect Lucy’s reputation. Max and I decided to become his guardians when Lucy and Seraphina were here. We ... we signed a contract Max’s lawyer had drawn up to make it official ... Harry knows the truth, but Dorian didn’t—until tonight ...’ I trailed off, unable to look at Papa and Aunt.

There was a stunned silence as they all digested this information.

‘I’ll be damned,’ breathed Evan. ‘That’s one hell of a family secret. Well done for keeping it under wraps. I always thought Freddie didn’t resemble Max one jot, but I didn’t like to say so.’

I inclined my head, grateful for his discretion. ‘I am sorry that I lied to you all about Freddie being mine, but I am not sorry for being his mama. He has brought a lot of joy into our lives.’ And I hope he will continue to do so if Dorian doesn’t abscond with him to London.

I glanced at the small clock on the side table; it read half past eight. Oh, where was Max? Had Dorian managed to evade him?

The parlour door opened, and Harriet slipped into the room. She gave me a nod and went to perch on the arm of Evan’s chair and rest a hand on his shoulder.

‘Do you know everything, Harriet?’ I wasn’t sure I could repeat it all again.

‘Yes, Rosalind told me what she overheard in the kitchen. She is very upset, as you can imagine. Oh, Fliss, you could have told us.’

I looked away, blinking back tears. ‘I wish I could have, but we didn’t want to burden you all with keeping the secret. We thought the fewer people who knew, the better.’

‘I assume Dorian not knowing has something to do with why he, Max, and Freddie are missing now?’ asked Papa. ‘Surely you didn’t invite Dorian to the ball? That was asking for trouble.’

My face heated as I recalled what kind of trouble had occurred with Dorian right here in this parlour. I thought I should leave that part out for expediency!

‘Of course we didn’t. It is a strange coincidence that he turned up and happened to be engaged to Rosalind. Dorian saw Freddie by accident when he woke up and came into the ballroom to find me. And well, to cut a long story short’—I bit my lip—‘Dorian has kidnapped Freddie and taken him off in his carriage.’

‘ Kidnapped him! ’ cried Aunt. ‘But that is outrageous, the poor child! Is anything being done about it?’

‘Max has gone after them on Apollo. I am praying that he manages to bring Freddie back safely without anything happening to either of them. Dorian is ... unpredictable.’

Remembering him chopping down the pantry door with the sharp axe, I couldn’t help a sob of fear escaping. Harriet leapt up and put her arm around me, guiding me to a stool.

Evan was muttering darkly, Aunt leaned back against the sofa and fanned herself, Papa was frowning, and Cassie was staring white-faced into the fire. Jane was the only one who had stayed calm throughout my speech and had been writing something on a piece of paper. In truth, it made me a touch nervous. I really hoped she was writing a letter to her mother, not recording the evening’s events.

Perhaps now would be a good time for the hot tea with rum!

***

A short while later, everyone had calmed down considerably, especially since Maurice’s arrival with a tray of tea and a bottle of rum under his arm.

‘So you can add as much or as little as you like,’ he said with a twinkle in his eye.

‘He really is a lovely man,’ remarked Aunt, pouring a generous measure of rum into her tea. ‘Interesting posture. But lovely.’

Tea with rum helped to take the edge off my worry, but not entirely. Some kind of showdown must have occurred between Max and Dorian for it to be taking so long. I was convinced Max had been shot in a duel and was lying bleeding in a snowy field while Freddie watched from the carriage window with his little nose pressed up against the glass.

Then again, my rational brain kept telling me that Max did not even own a pistol. And why would Dorian have brought one to a ball?

Just I had abandoned all hope of ever seeing my husband alive again, Max strolled through the parlour door, Freddie in his arms. He was wrapped in a blanket and sucking his thumb dozily but looked perfectly well.

I let out a cry and ran over to them. Everyone crowded around as Max deposited a sleepy Freddie into my arms.

‘Oh, thank the Lord!’ exclaimed Aunt, peering down at him .

‘His little toes are like ice,’ commented Cassie, touching his bare feet. ‘Let’s get him next to the fire.’

I managed to get in a kiss on his cheek and a brief cuddle before Freddie was enveloped in womanly fussing, but I let him go. It was enough to know he was safe and well.

Clasping Max’s hands in mine, which were also freezing cold, I kissed them repeatedly and murmured my thanks and expressed joy at his return. He did not respond. Finally, I stopped, noting that his demeanour was as frosty as his hands.

Max had not said a word from when he had entered the parlour, but he did so now gruffly. ‘I need to speak with you in my study, Felicity.’

I did not want to let Freddie out of my sight, but Harriet said she would put him to bed in our room and stay with him.

‘I’ll go too,’ said Evan. ‘In case the little chap needs a double layer of protection from rogues.’

He gave Max a knowing nod. Smiling tightly, Max inclined his head to the door.

‘Felicity.’

Uh-oh , I thought. He hasn’t used my full name since before we were married. I was starting to get the impression that I was in hot water with him. Could this night get any worse ?

The only thing I could think of was that Dorian had mentioned our parlour tryst, and Max was angry about it. But I had thought it was him! Surely, I was not to blame for a case of mistaken identity?

Max closed the door of his study behind me and lit some candles.

‘Take a seat,’ he said, gesturing to the hard chair in front of his desk of which he settled himself behind. Shivering with cold as there was no fire lit in here and with nerves, I did as I was told. It was like I was being interviewed for a position!

‘Dearest, what on earth—’ I began, but he cut me off.

‘So I gather that you have told everyone about Freddie’s true parentage?’

Was that all he was worried about?

‘Well, yes. Does it matter? Tobias knows, and Evan was asking a lot of questions, and I was tired of lying to my family. They deserved to finally know the truth.’

Max cracked his knuckles. ‘But we agreed only a few people should ever know. We signed a contract to that effect.’

I began to see what he was getting at. He was worried about what everyone thought of him, was even perhaps embarrassed that everyone now knew that Freddie wasn’ t his child—that he had not sired him. My blood started boiling.

‘Damn your pride, and damn the bloody contract!’ I burst out.

Max looked shocked at my tone and coarse language. But I was too tired and angry to care about his sensibilities.

‘I’ve been out of my mind with worry for hours, and you saunter in with Freddie, cool as a cucumber like nothing’s wrong. I thought you were dead, for God’s sake! Where the hell have you been? I was imagining a duel with pistols or something of that nature!’

Max allowed a flicker of a smile. ‘That would be difficult since I don’t own a pistol.’ Then his smile dropped as fast as it appeared. ‘Speaking of telling the truth, who would Dorian and I be duelling over exactly? Freddie or you?’

I stared at him, unease creeping through me. ‘Pardon?’

Max sighed. ‘There was nothing so dramatic as a duel. When I caught up with Dorian’s carriage, I rode alongside, shouting for the driver to pull over to the side of the road, which he did. I flung open the door, determined to take back Freddie, and Dorian calmly asked me to sit with him and talk things over—as gentlemen.’

‘As gentlemen ?’ I echoed.

‘Yes, in his own words: “We don’t need to fight like savages, Mr Fitzroy. Surely we can have a civilised conversation?”’

Tobias can’t , I thought snidely.

‘So what did you talk about?’

Max smiled ruefully. ‘Mostly you.’

‘Me?’ I said, astonished.

‘I knew that when I married you, you were special. Yet I thought it was only to me. I did not comprehend that your beauty and spirit were attractive to other men.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean that it would appear that Dorian loves you too, in his own twisted way. He spoke at length about your handsomeness, wit, and other amiable qualities, plus his envy that I was the one sharing your bed. It was actually quite amusing to have one’s wife lusted over in such a fashion, especially since he is engaged to Rosalind Whiteley.’

My face heated. ‘I have done nothing to encourage his attentions whatsoever! He is entirely deluded if he thinks I feel the same. You have to believe me—’

‘It is not your fault, Fliss. I know you have not been having an affair with him as you have been here with me and Freddie.’

My heart sank. ‘An affair? Is that what he claimed?’

Max shook his head. ‘No, he did not say that. But he mentioned some things in passing that I was unaware of: Attempting to bribe him at the castle? Playing nursemaid to him in London? And something that occurred this evening in the parlour? I think you need to tell me exactly what has been going on between you two.’

I cringed. But Max was being very calm and collected about this whole business, and he had not beaten Dorian to a pulp. Perhaps it was time to confess and unburden myself so we would not have his spectre hanging over us.

Taking a deep breath, I began to tell him everything that had occurred with Dorian that he didn’t know about.

Half an hour later, my voice was hoarse, but my shoulders felt considerably lighter. The best thing of all was that I was ensconced happily in Max’s lap on the other side of the desk, and he had his arms around me, keeping me warm.

I had confessed all of it, every last detail, including Dorian locking me in my room at Hartmoor, trying to seduce me and ripping my dress with his teeth and how I had threatened to stick him with a letter opener (which Max chuckled at), and even how Dorian had tricked me into kissing him in the parlour (which Max did not chuckle at). I had been on a truth-telling roll and did not want any more secrets between us, hence why I had to share that too.

Max was surprisingly good about it and said that he could understand why Dorian would want to kiss me. Then he told me he loved me for telling him the truth and proceeded to kiss me soundly, which erased any lingering memories of the other sordid encounter.

Max stroked my cheek. ‘So that is all of it?’

‘Yes, I can’t think of anything else,’ I said, snuggling closer to claim more of his body heat (it really was chilly in here).

‘You know everything now, including the conversation in the pantry after Dorian chopped the lock with an axe and how he said he wanted me to go to London, then ran off with Freddie. You know that I agreed to go with him only because of Freddie? I hoped you would rescue us before we got that far.’

Max nodded. ‘Indeed, though the gentlemanly conversation I had with him has not led to the conclusion you might expect.’

He shifted in the chair, and I sensed he was feeling uncomfortable and not because of my weight.

‘Max ... What did you agree to?’ I asked suspiciously, knowing how wily Dorian was.

‘Ah, only a couple of things, dearest ... Remember, I am experienced when it comes to business negotiations.’

I closed my eyes and laid my head against his chest. ‘You had better tell me.’

‘Firstly, I made him see reason,’ said Max, his voice a low rumble above me. ‘“With the hours you spend painting”, I said, “you are in no position to look after a child. You need to think of Freddie’s welfare and not of yourself.” He eventually agreed that the child was better off living here with us. So that was a win.’

‘Go on.’

‘I also used emotional bargaining by saying it would break your heart if he didn’t give Freddie back to you and that if he loved you, he would not contemplate taking him away. He agreed, so that was another win. But then he asked that I reward him for his noble sacrifice.’

I groaned. ‘How much did he get out of you?’

‘Two thousand pounds, and he’ll keep his mouth shut.’

‘It could have been worse,’ I said with a sigh. ‘So that is the end of it?’

‘Not quite. He wants us to come to London so he can paint our family portrait. He felt that since I am paying him a large amount of money, it is the least he can do. And he wants to see Freddie again, which is only fair.’

I shook my head. No wonder Max had been away so long—he had been making bargains galore!

‘A family portrait, all right. And then that is the end of it? We do not have to see him again after that?’

Max shifted again in the chair.

‘Um, I may have agreed to him being Freddie’s godfather.’