Jane Lark - The Secret Love of a Gentleman

Caro drank the last of the brandy, then passed the empty glass to Lord Wiltshire. Her fingers curled tighter about the handkerchief in her hand. “My lady’s maid would be able to give you an account of the events which she witnessed, but I cannot say where she will be, she will have been dismissed, and if you find her you will need to promise that her name will not be released.” She looked at the Duke. “She will need to be protected if she is willing to speak.” Albert’s temper may turn against her as it had turned against Drew.

But all would be laid bare if they spoke to her maid. Betsy would tell them the words Albert spoke when he’d beaten Caro and then they would know she was incapable of providing him with a child.

Heat burned in Caro’s cheeks and tears made the Duke shimmer. She looked at the floor, shame lancing through her breast as the tears ran on to her cheeks.

“Thank you, Ma’am. We are finished.” The magistrate and the Duke of Arundel stood.

Caro wiped the tears from her cheeks.

The Duke walked past her and then opened the door to let the magistrate leave.

“I believe Lady Kilbride would appreciate your company, Mary. John, may I stay with you and dine here before I return to town?”

Caro rose and turned as Mary came into the room. She clasped Caro’s hands. “I am sorry you had to endure this.”

Mary was kind and generous in nature. She loved Drew deeply and she never hid those feelings. Caro could see now how Mary had drawn out the best qualities in Drew.

“Better that than for Drew to suffer because of me.” Caro would never forgive herself if her failure destroyed Mary’s and Drew’s chance of happiness.

Tears sparkled in Mary’s eyes, then fresh tears spilled from Caro’s. She leant to embrace Mary as Mary embraced her, both offering comfort. Caro broke the embrace, heat burning in her cheeks. “I am sorry.”

Mary wiped away her tears with the sleeve of her dress. “You have no cause to be sorry.”

“I do. This is my fault.”

“It is not… It is no one’s fault, and we are going to remain calm. That is what is best for Andrew, and we are going to feel confident and trust Richard to return him to us.”

“The magistrate did not believe me, not wholly. He is going to speak with one of my lady’s maids to ask her to confirm what I have said. The whole thing is mortifying… and then I think of Drew in a cell, alone. When he has done nothing to deserve it.”

Mary gripped Caro’s hand. “I know. I know you are both innocent. I know you have both been through so much. But that is over now. We will have faith.”

Caro gave her a tentative smile. “Thank you. Thank you for your concern. But most of all, thank you for loving Drew. He needed a woman like you –”

“And I need him –” Mary smiled, but a tear escaped.

Caro wiped it away with the handkerchief she held. “I am glad for you both.”

A light knock struck the door, which had been left ajar. “Come!” Mary called.

“Sorry to interrupt.” It was the Duchess of Pembroke, Mary’s sister-in-law. “It is just, I wished to let you know we are serving dinner. Your uncle is staying with us to dine, Mary, and he sent me to fetch you to ensure you came to the table. “Will you dine with us, Lady Kilbride?” The Duchess looked at Caro and Mary, as they looked at her.

The Duchess had requested Caro’s attendance at the table daily and yet Caro had kept to the rooms she’d been allotted. She felt safe there. Among people, the sense of shame and discomfort was overwhelming.

Caro shook her head.

“I will leave you, then. Come when you are ready, Mary.”

“I’m sorry,” Caro whispered. “I feel as though they must think I am rude and disrespectful of their hospitality, but I… I cannot tell you how I feel. I… Do you think the Duchess would send my dinner to my room?” How could she explain her feelings to Mary? She was beginning to feel as if she were mad.

“Of course she will. You must not feel pressed.”

“Thank you, Mary. I will retire, then.”

“Yes. But send a maid to fetch me if you need me.”

Caro nodded.

They left the room together, but when Mary turned towards the dining room, Caro turned to climb the stairs.

~

Caro waited in the drawing room of the Pembrokes’ giant Palladian mansion, seated in a corner, beside Mary’s mother, her fingers clasped in her lap, struggling to control her breathing and the pounding of her heart.

But Drew was here. Free. She had been told by the Duchess an hour ago that he’d arrived. They’d all hoped today. She’d heard them talking even from upstairs.

The house was full of people. All of Mary’s extended family had come from town to celebrate on Drew’s behalf, and they were all in the room. Caro felt crowded as she waited, smothered by them. Her nerves screamed.

Mary’s mother had said he was with Mary still. Yet he must come down soon. Caro had been waiting nearly half an hour.

When Mary came into the room she was alone. She walked across it and whispered something in her father’s ear, then they left together.

Caro’s gaze hung on the door while Mary’s mother talked of her younger children. Caro was not listening.

The noise of conversation was intense, deafening. A shiver ran up her spine. It was more than simple fear, though. There was annoyance and anger inside her too. She wished to scream as much as run.

She was falling to pieces. At any moment the panic inside would explode and she would shatter like glass.

But Drew was free…

Maybe she ought to retire to her rooms. He would come up to her.

She was about to stand and declare her apology when he came into the room, his hand holding Mary’s.

The room broke into applause and he smiled self-consciously. She had never seen him look humble as he did in that moment, and yet there was pride in his eyes when he looked at Mary. He had won himself a place in this family. He had achieved what Caro never would—a good marriage. He deserved this. She did not begrudge him it and nor would she spoil this moment for him. She would not run.

While the men moved to speak with him, Caro tried to make conversation with Mary’s mother, but all the time her awareness was on the proximity of her brother. She looked up. Drew spoke with Mary’s younger brother, Robert, a tall, slender youth. Mary lifted a hand and pointed Caro out, and then Drew looked and a moment later he turned towards her. But his progress towards her was hindered by well-wishers.

The sight of him filled Caro with a mix of emotions, relief and happiness, he was her home, the only place she felt safe, but there was sadness too, to know that she was dependent on him.

When Drew reached her he sank down onto his haunches and took her hands in his, looking concerned. “How are you, Caro?”

Caro hugged him and broke into sobs, the pent-up fear and pain spilling out of her. He held her in return.

“I am glad you are safe. I am sorry. This was my fault,” she whispered in his ear.

“No,” he whispered back, speaking into her ear too. “It was not. It was Kilbride’s, but it is done with, and all will be well now, I promise.”

“I feared for you, but it seems now you have all you deserve.”

“I was afraid for me too,” he jested. “This feels strange, doesn’t it? I shall not lie. I am ready to run as much as you are, I should think… But these people are not like ours, Caro –“

“I know.”

“The Duke of Arundel, Lord Wiltshire, Mary’s uncle, told me Kilbride is going to sue for divorce. You will be free soon, too, and then you may begin a new life.”

Fresh tears gathered in her eyes. Albert wished to be rid of her entirely, and then he would find a wife who would bear him children. The pain of that cut at her heart. Drew pulled away and gripped her hands gently.