He could not have chosen a better time for his friend to return. He would be pleased to hear of the change in his decision.
He waited for the carriage to stop, eager to tell Felton all that had transpired during his absence. Felton finally climbed down, but Anthony could see that he was not remotely happy to see him. If anything, his friend looked livid.
“You!” Felton shouted. “I have returned to tell you that I refuse for you to marry Diana. I refuse to sit by and have you ruin your life over a woman who will bring you nothing but misery.”
“Yes, I know –” Anthony tried to explain.
"You know nothing!" his friend interrupted. "You finally met someone who is perfect for you, but you instead choose to run after a woman who ran away from you. What kind of an imbecile are you?"
“Felton! Just listen to me.”
“No! I shall do no such thing. You either listen to me or you can consider yourself friendless.”
Anthony had never seen his friend this worked up before. “Old friend, are you all right?”
“How can I be all right when you want to make the biggest mistake of your life? I lost the only woman that I ever loved, and I can never get her back. Elizabeth is still alive, Anthony, she is alive! You have the chance to have the kind of happiness that I shall never have again. Why would you throw it away for a woman who would sooner humiliate you than love you?”
When Felton's voice broke towards the end, Anthony felt a lump form in his own throat. This was a man who had been with him through thick and thin, a man he had grown up with. No one else knew him better than Felton did, and he knew that whatever his friend spoke was out of concern. Anthony was ashamed that he had been the one to bring back painful memories of Henrietta's death. He would do anything to bring her back from the dead for Felton, but it was not possible. However, he could bring some comfort to him by letting him know that he did indeed plan to marry Elizabeth.
“Felton, you were right. You were right all along.”
His friend frowned. “What are you saying?”
Anthony laughed. “What were you just saying?”
“About Elizabeth?”
“Yes. You were right about it all. I can never be with Diana. She simply is not the one for me.”
Felton's mouth dropped open. “Am I dreaming? I was fully prepared to drag you kicking and screaming away from that witch, but now I find myself not quite knowing what to do. Are you telling me that you no longer wish to be with Diana?”
“That is precisely what I am saying.”
“And you love Elizabeth?”
“With my whole being.”
“You will marry her?”
“That is the plan.”
“Goodness,” he exclaimed. “What brought this on? I was convinced that you would never be able to see it for yourself.”
“You just passed Cecilia on your way in. She is the one who convinced me.”
“I thought that I recognised the carriage, but I was mainly focused on the task at hand.” Felton looked at him carefully. “This is not just another one of your plans? Because if it should be that, do not complain when I deal you a heavy blow to your head.”
Anthony's hand went to his head. “There's no need to do that, believe me. But I am glad that you are here as I shall need support for what I am about to do.”
“And what is that?”
“End my courtship with Diana.”
Felton whistled low. “I am all for it, but I do not wish to be in her firing range once she works herself into a rage.”
Anthony grimaced. "I have a hope that she will behave like a lady, but I suppose I should know better than that. However, it must be done. I can no longer be associated with her if I mean to propose to Elizabeth on the morrow."
“I see that you are wasting no time, old friend.”
“No. I have been a fool, and I need to make it up to Elizabeth. Do you know that she loves me? She said as much to Cecilia.”
“Yes, any fool could see that she loves you and you love her. It was why I could not understand your reasoning for being so stubborn. You were both hurting, unnecessarily so.”
"I see that now. That is why I do not wish to waste any more time. Come, let us tackle this."
“You will tackle it friend, not I. I shall only step in once she becomes violent. It is best that you pull her aside and speak with her. I shall listen by the door.”
Anthony swallowed hard. “I feel as though I am about to walk into the lion's den.”
Felton put his hand on his shoulder, amusement lighting up his eyes. “You know her better than anyone else, my friend.”
“That is the problem.”
*
Cecilia could not believe that she had actually done what she had set out to do. She had never done anything this daring in her life.
What would Megan say when she told her? Would she find her brave and perhaps touched in her upper-works for even contemplating such a thing. But she had been successful. This was the happy ending that she was looking for, and she was rather impressed with herself for thinking about it.
No one would have believed that she could be so courageous as to drive up to the house, walk up to Anthony, and tell him what was what. She was brilliant, really. It was just unfortunate that she could not speak of the events of this night before Anthony's arrival at the townhouse tomorrow morning.
She could hardly wait to see the look upon Eliza's face once she realised what was happening.
Her happiness for Elizabeth was even greater than her own. Cecilia had managed to do something for her sister, something of great importance, and it felt wonderful.
Who knew that doing things for others could give one such a warm feeling? She would endeavour to do more in the future. For now, she must find a way of keeping herself and her loose mouth away from her sister and their aunt, or they might drag the truth out of her. Then what would Lord Cavendish think of her? He likely would believe that she had no will of her own to keep the confidence of anyone.
Cecilia was loathe to have her future brother-in-law think of her in such a way. She had to come up with a likely story.
All too soon, the carriage drew up to the townhouse, and she was at the door still with no plan to speak of. The door was flung open to reveal a wild-looking Elizabeth in her nightdress.
"Ceci! Where in heaven's name have you been? Do you realise how sick with worry I have been? Come here and explain yourself!”
Cecilia found herself being propelled into the house at quite a speed, taking a little stumble upon the carpet of the hallway.
“Goodness me, Eliza,” she exclaimed. “Whatever has got into you?”
“How can you ask that? Where did you go? Aunt Deborah pled innocence to knowing your whereabouts, but I know that she does not speak the truth. What have you done with yourself, Cecilia? Speak now!”
Her sister was absolutely incensed. What had got into her? “Do calm down, Eliza! As you can see, I am quite well.”
Her sister crossed her arms, her foot tapping against the carpeted floor. “Where have you been, Cecilia Ramsbury? Out with the truth. And unescorted as well? Do you wish to light the town on fire with word of your night escapade?”
“Do not worry about that, it has all been sorted by Lo –”
Cecilia caught herself on time. She had almost said Lord Cavendish, and that undoubtedly would have let the cat out of the bag.
“Who?”
"A friend." Cecilia yawned loudly, clutching her brow. "Oh, I find myself with a sore head. I think that I should take myself off to bed. I shall answer all of your questions on the morrow, Eliza. But for now, let me sleep in peace."
Without another word, she left her sister in the hallway and hurried to her bedroom, locking it for good measure. She did not trust Elizabeth not to come through her door and demand answers until she was quite worn out.
A quick change, a splash of water, and she was in bed. As she drifted off to sleep, she congratulated herself
once again on her adventure. It was one that she would never forget.
*
Anthony was not certain as to the room he should use to speak to Diana as most of the house was now in occupation by the guests. The meal was concluded and they had all retired to the drawing room as well as the parlour. The study seemed to be his safest bet. Thus, he led her there, shutting the door behind him. He knew that Felton was not far behind him, which was a comfort of sorts. It was not that he was afraid of Diana, but there was no telling what she could do when enraged. Another witness would exonerate him of any foul play.
"Anthony, why have you drawn me away from our friends? Do you wish to propose to me? If that is what you wish to do, then I ask that we return to the guests as I prefer the proposal to be before an audience."
Anthony looked at her, relieved that he would never have to spend time again with her once his words had been spoken.
“No, rest assured that it is not that. I have something else to tell you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do make it quick. I have matters to discuss with Catherine.”
No doubt another shopping trip or gossip about someone. How did he manage to remain with her for so long?
“I love someone else, Diana. I wish to end our courtship.”
She stilled. "You jest and I do not find it remotely funny."
Anthony shook his head. “Not in the least. I have come to realise that I love Elizabeth.”
To his surprise, she started to laugh. So much so that the tears began to stream down her face.
“Oh, dear me! What fun! You are deluded if you believe that I shall believe such a thing. I am no fool, Anthony.”
“There is no delusion here, Diana. It is the truth. I no longer love you, I love Elizabeth. Furthermore, I ask that we no longer see each other in a social capacity. I think that it would be rather confusing if we continued to frequent the same places despite being apart. Of course, I shall take a step back from our companions, particularly the ones that we share. It would not be fair to you should I remain in contact with them.”
Diana shook her head as she walked away from him, mumbling to herself. Anthony could not hear a word, but he knew that her anger was building. Best keep an eye out for flying objects. He would hate to visit Elizabeth's residence with a swollen eye. She suddenly rounded on him, her eyes spitting fire.
“This cannot be happening. What makes you think that you can end this? It is not over until I say it is over. Your love belongs to me, not some upstart commoner.”
"I am afraid that is not possible, Diana. Perhaps it would be best for you to return to Paris where your charms are better suited. Surely some suitable gentleman will come along and be your fool to rule."
"You have gone completely mad. You do not know what you are saying. We can get a physician to examine you, dear Anthony. Perhaps that woman has poisoned you, and your mind is failing."
He laughed at that. “I have never been more sane in my life, Diana. You were the woman of my youth, but now I have matured and I realise that I want something different for my life. I cannot continue to lie to myself and court you, let alone get married.”
She shook her head. “No, no, no! You are a fool, Anthony! You will not do this to me.”
“I am afraid that you cannot control me as you once did, Diana. Those days are past. We are simply not meant to be, and we would have never been able to make each other happy. I do not know about you, but I do not want to have a miserable life.”
“Miserable?” she screeched. “I have always been your everything! You always told me that I was both your moon and your sun, that you could never love another woman like you love me. And now you tell me that you love Elizabeth? I cannot accept that.”
Anthony looked heavenward. She is refusing to see what is in front of her because she is accustomed to getting her way. But I shall not back down, not ever again.
“We are both getting along in age, Diana. I am looking for more than a one-sided relationship. I need someone who is like me, who shares the same interests that I do, or at least is open to sharing my interests. You cannot be that person for your life centres around you, and you alone. You also need someone who will suit you well, and enjoy the things that you do. Do you understand?”
She did not answer him but walked away to place both hands on the back of a chair. Anthony took this opportunity to continue, further elaborating on his point.
“We are just two different people, Diana. I wish to go to the opera, study music, and simply live a life full of the activities that I enjoy doing. I need someone who wants the same. You, on the other hand, you enjoy drama, you like to have the type of fun that I do not find amusing, and it always has to be your way. You have your own ideas of entertainment, ideas that do not match with mine. For years I have done as you have asked, but I simply cannot do it any longer.”
“Why?” she asked. “Why will you no longer do it? You used to love to please me.”
“I have changed, Diana. Spending time away from you has shown me that there is more to life than just being at your beck and call. I did it because I believed that it showed my devotion to you, but instead it took away my self-respect.”
She turned to look at him, her eyes not giving away anything to him. “I suppose that Elizabeth was the one to bring about this change?”
“Yes, she was. She showed me that life could be different, wonderfully so. I enjoyed myself when I was with her, immensely so. I did not have to worry that she would suddenly fly into a fit of anger over something little, or belittle me for the whim of it. She showed me respect from the moment that I met her to the last time I spoke with her. I thought that I could be with you, but I find myself needing to run away and get fresh air. That is not normal, Diana.”
“You are going to regret this, Anthony.”
He shook his head. "I do not believe so. We are too different to make a good match, Diana. It is time that we realise it and go our separate ways."
“Do you intend to humiliate me?”
“My mind does not work as yours does. Need I remind you that you are the one who refused me in the first place? I bared my heart to you, but you chose to stomp on it. Even then I still wanted you, the fool that I was.” He laughed. “I got what I wanted, only to realise that it is not what I needed.”
“So you do wish to humiliate me. You wish to do to me what I did to you.”
"No, you still do not understand. I can no longer be with you because we are not suited to each other. I shall not have a miserable life so that you may boast about a hold that you have on me. I do not know if you realised that your actions would have repercussions. Or did you believe that you could return from Paris and pick things up from where you left off?"
“And what of it?”
"Why did you refuse my proposal, Diana? I took the trouble of speaking to your father first and then planning a special moment for us both. Did you want to make me suffer for your own enjoyment?"
She said nothing.
“If that is, in fact, the case, then I want nothing further to do with you.”
He watched as she pouted her lips, her hand going to an escaped tendril.
“Why did you feel the need to ruin our courtship by proposing to me? Why could we not have merely continued with our life as it was?”
Lords to Be Enamored With: A Historical Regency Romance Collection Page 52
