Healing The Broken Marchioness (Laced Up Ladies Book 2)

by Ella Edon

  "You look beautiful, my darling. You look very much like your papa. And you have his eyes," she went on. Although it was hard for her to talk about Victor, she would do it, for Victoria.

  The sound of shoes approaching stopped her.

  Victoria turned around also to see who it was. The Dowager Marchioness stood by the door, staring at Katherine strangely. She smiled warmly at Victoria, but it didn't reach her eyes. "How are you, darling?"

  "Fine, Grandmama."

  The Dowager Marchioness raised a menacing brow at her. Victoria blushed and looked down. The Dowager Marchioness nodded at her. "I would like to speak to your Mother for a moment, Victoria."

  Victoria simply nodded and looked up at Katherine. "Amelia can finish my hair, Mama."

  Katherine kissed both of her cheeks and placed the brush down on the table. "Of course, dear."

  She walked out behind the Dowager Marchioness, wondering what it was she had to say that could not wait. When her mother-in-law turned to her, eyes sharp and lips turned in a snarl, Katherine sucked in a breath. Whatever she had to say wasn't going to be good.

  They were walking down the hallway and perhaps heading to a secluded area. They stopped right at a corner and the Dowager Marchioness began to whisper harshly.

  "Katherine, the plan was to befriend Lord Bowmount and keep his mind too occupied to deal with nonsense such as opening an office in town. You didn't try to talk him out of that?"

  Katherine's shoulders slumped. "His mind has been made up. There's nothing I can do about it. Besides, it is done."

  "I shan't have anyone tarnish our reputable name, Katherine. Befriending Lord Bowmount is not only for your sake, but for the sake of this entire household. So, he doesn't turn against us when he feels the need. He needs to think that he can trust someone. He returned late yesterday, and it scared me. Victor would have never been out so late. You must use your newfound friendship to keep him in check and to do what you want him to. For the sake of Bowmount Hall."

  Katherine understood well enough to know that the Dowager Marchioness wanted her to manipulate him. That would be easy when she became close enough that he trusted her. Rethinking what the Dowager Marchioness suggested, it made Katherine uneasy. Did she mean for her to... seduce him? Only a lady whom a man held so dear would he listen to. Did the Dowager Marchioness think that she was seducing him? She hoped not.

  Katherine felt guilty for even thinking about finding a way to control Lord Bowmount. She couldn't do that. All she needed was to let him know that she trusted him. She trusted whatever decision he made. He was a good gentleman, this much she knew.

  "I trust that you can pull this off, can you not?" the Dowager Marchioness asked.

  Katherine nodded. Even though her heart said otherwise, she let her lips tell tales her heart would not. "Of course," she said. She did not want to disappoint the Dowager Marchioness. She liked the new relationship they were building.

  The Dowager Marchioness smiled. She patted Katherine's arm and turned to go. "Breakfast is ready."

  Katherine watched her walk away. She felt a lump in her throat as she stood, thinking of what the lady asked of her. She would never manipulate Arthur. She couldn't even lie to him. Not when his blue eyes searched hers and he made her feel so safe. She wanted him. It had taken her a long time to realize it, but she did. And that alone was enough to make her let him know that she didn't want to do anything that would harm him. She trusted him. What she would do was speak to him.

  She held her breath and turned, hoping to head back to Victoria's room, so that they could both walk to the Dining Room for breakfast. But what she saw not so far from her made her freeze.

  Lord Bowmount stood there, by the path that connected the east and west wing. His lips were pressed in a thin line and his right hand was closed in a fist. He looked so handsome, standing there. She wanted nothing more than for his arms to engulf her. She started to walk towards him, but his action made her stop. He shook his head at her, his eyes holding nothing in them. They were blank. She had always been able to read them. Her heart broke when realization hit her. She wondered how much of her conversation with the Dowager Marchioness he had heard.

  Chapter Eighteen

  He could not believe that she had been pretending all of this while. She had been trying to deceive him. Trying to control him. Just when he thought they were getting along just fine. He walked faster; he did not want to see her face. He wanted to get away from her. He made his way down the stairs and around the corner. He walked out through the back door and headed straight for the ranch. He wanted to saddle a horse and leave Bowmount Hall.

  "Fin!" he called. He needed to get away.

  "Fin will not be here today. He's gone home. His mother is ill," Lady Bowmount said from behind him.

  He stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes closed involuntarily, and his shoulders stiffened. She had followed him. For what? He turned, so he could see her. She stood there in her lavender dress, her hair, its golden curls pulled back in a chignon, not a single strand out of place. She looked breathtaking, standing before the sun, with its light illuminating her. He would have smiled at her, but he was too hurt to do so.

  Instead, he nodded curtly. "Alright. I will have to saddle a horse myself."

  "Lord Bowmount —"she called.

  Arthur raised a brow at her. Waiting for her to speak. To say something. But she said nothing. She simply breathed out and nodded curtly in return. He was angry. His hurt turned to anger. In that moment, he could not hold himself any longer. He snapped.

  "Of course, you would rather pretend as though nothing had happened. You would rather walk away."

  "Lord Bowmount... "

  "Since I arrived here at Bowmount Hall, all I have ever received has been coldness. From you, from the entire household. I have never been able to understand how one could have no like for someone you have never even met." Arthur advanced towards her slowly. After he decided to pour out how he really felt, he decided to do it while he was still angry. Because he wanted her to feel exactly what he felt. To know that she had hurt him deeply.

  Lady Bowmount shook her head. "It is not what you think, Lord Bowmount —"

  "Will you then tell me that my ears have grown weak? So that I am as deaf as a bat is blind by day? Or is this part of your manipulation?" he accused.

  She merely shook her head. She was speechless. Unable to speak or move. It was as though she were afraid to.

  He wasn't done talking. "I never wanted Bowmount Hall. I never wanted to come here. I had built a life at Flitwick and I was pleased with it. But then I had to come here upon hearing of my cousin's death. I was given no choice. For something I never really wanted, I have been treated so badly for it. As though I have stolen it."

  Lady Bowmount shook her head. "Perhaps I may have felt that way when you had first arrived, but no more."

  "No more? You stood with the Dowager Marchioness, planning on how best to manipulate me. I am no fool, Lady Bowmount!"

  "And no one has referred to you as such. Listen to me —"

  "So you can tell me lies and try to act as though I have finally been accepted?" He was close to her now. He could see her blue eyes. He saw her shoulders slump slightly, the features in her face softened. He could see all of her in that moment. But he did not understand what she truly felt for him and he wanted to know.

  "Lady Bowmount," he whispered.

  She gazed at him pleadingly. "I may not have trusted you when you arrived, but now, I do. I trust that you are a good gentleman and will do what is right, My Lord."

  Her blue eyes gazed into his fiercely. He was lost in them, in the beauty and in the power she had over him. Lady Bowmount swallowed hard and stepped forward. "You have to know that I do indeed trust you. And your decisions. But the Dowager Marchioness doesn't. She is only afraid, for she has lost so much, Lord Bowmount. So much in so little time. If Lady Victoria and I leave, then she would be alone in the world."

  Arthur sighed. W
hat a beautiful soul she had. She was not even defending herself from his hurt. She was defending the Dowager Marchioness. She was selfless. And it made her all the more attractive to him. He believed that she trusted him. He could see it for himself, through her eyes. And he understood that the Dowager Marchioness truly only hid behind her fear. But still, he had been treated badly enough and he would no longer have none of that.

  "Lady Bowmount, since my arrival," he began with a whisper. "Here, at Bowmount Hall, I used to regret my inheritance."

  Lady Bowmount sucked in a breath. But he did not want to stop. He had to let it all out. "I regret having to intrude on the lives of a family..."

  "Lord Bowmount..." She shook her head.

  But he stopped her by raising his hand and his eyes remaining on hers. Then he let his fingers brush against her cheek. She stilled. Her hurt turned to shock. Astonishment. His eyes pleaded for her to relax. She did, but with caution. Her hands fell to her sides, and she leaned into his touch, her blue eyes sparkling. He caressed her cheek, brushing his thumb against her bottom lip, and smiled down at her. He could feel her breath on his skin.

  "But I have stopped regretting it all. Call me selfish, but because I met you through all of this, I am no longer inclined to regret a thing." He heard her gasp before his lips suddenly captured hers. She leaned into him, her lips parting to accept his. He felt a satisfactory chill run through him. Desire stirred in him when her hands clutched the lapels of his jacket. Their lips moved together in rhythm. It was as though they serenaded him. He heard her moan. Her grip on his coat tightened. Then she broke away from him and stared at him. Her breathing fast, her eyes glossy. He had enjoyed every bit of the kiss they shared, but her eyes were regretful. She shook her head slowly.

  "We can't," she whispered.

  He saw the fear that clouded her eyes. He reached out to hold her, to tell her that they could work it out. But she shook her head firmly again and fled. His heart broke as he watched her go.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Katherine lay in bed, her mind blank. She didn't feel like getting up. It was a new day; the sun had risen and everywhere was brightened. Yet, just like every other day before the current one, she feared to walk out of her bed chamber. A knock at her door made her sigh. Of course, living with servants and family would never allow her to simply stay in her bed chamber.

  "My Lady, have you awoken?" Darlene called.

  Katherine thought of telling her off or simply keeping quiet, that way, Darlene would be assured that she was still asleep.

  "Lady Bowmount?"

  Katherine tossed her duvet aside and rose. "Darlene, do come in."

  The door opened. Darlene stepped in, with a folded dress slung over her right arm. She made use of her left hand to balance as she walked in fully. A small smile was on her face. She went on to arrange the clothes where they were supposed to be before returning to help Katherine with anything she needed.

  "You've risen so late today, My Lady. The Dowager Marchioness has asked if all is well," Darlene said.

  Katherine creased her brows. "I do not understand."

  "You missed breakfast, My Lady."

  Katherine stood up. Her eyes, full of curiosity and sheer confusion gazed on Darlene. "Pardon?"

  "You were not down for breakfast. I made an excuse for you, just like two days ago. I told the Dowager Marchioness you were a little under the weather."

  She sighed. She did not know she had missed breakfast. She had barely slept the night before, tossing and turning in her bed. She closed her eyes and breathed out, willing the memory to once again stay hidden. She pulled her hand through her hair.

  Arthur’s kiss still haunted her. She had been lost in the bliss of her lips merging with his. In perfect rhythm. The way he touched her face. The way he looked at her. It made her feel desired. It made her feel beautiful. She sat back down on the bed. His lips had been so perfect. She would never mind doing it all over again. With him.

  But she had been afraid. She had been afraid because then, all the rumors about something soon happening between them would be true. What if everyone found out that there was something going on? She would be ruined for life. That was why she had fled. It had been too soon, too quick. She wasn't thinking. He wasn't, as well. Because there was so much, they needed to consider before basking in the glow of what they felt.

  "My Lady?"

  Katherine snapped her gaze to Darlene. "Prepare me a bath."

  Darlene nodded and excused herself. Katherine was left alone again. She sat on her bed and reminisced the kiss over again.

  But I have stopped regretting it all. Call me selfish, but because I met you through all of this, I am no longer inclined to regret anything

  Those words had set her off. He knew the right thing to say. She found herself smiling at the thought of him. His lovely brown hair, his ever-hopeful blue eyes. His sensual smile. Everything about him fascinated and amazed her. She wanted to know all of him, explore every inch of what he had to offer, embrace what he had to give. The warmth and reassurance his smile promised her the world. She wanted him. But at what cost?

  Darlene walked before her in no second. "Your bath is ready, My Lady."

  Katherine waved her off. "Thank you, Darlene."

  Pushing her thoughts aside, she rose to have her bath. After that, she would see Victoria and proceed to keep away from Lord Bowmount, just as she had done in the few days since the kiss. Although that was not so difficult. He spent most of his time away from Bowmount Hall. She was sure he had concluded everything concerning the office and had now begun.

  * * *

  She stepped down from the last stair and headed to the foyer. She had been told Victoria and her governess would be there. She would have her meal once she had seen Victoria. She made her way to the foyer in moderate steps. Eager to see Victoria, eager to have at least a little talk with Victoria, just like the past few days. It may take a while to rekindle what they had, but she was willing to try. Victor's death had taken a toll on them both.

  She approached the foyer and slowed down a bit when she heard a cackling laughter. She walked over to the door gently and pushed it a tad. From there, she could see what was going on. Amelia blocked little of her view, which gave her a chance to look and not be seen.

  Victoria sat on the other side of the table, and Arthur on the other. Between them was a draught board. Victoria sat with the white colored round pieces, scattered in positions before her. Lord Bowmount sat with the black ones before him. He had a confused smile on while Victoria was in fits of giggles. Lord Bowmount raised his hand, picked a piece and moved it to the side.

  Victoria laughed. "I think I've got you now, My Lord. You've given my bishop the opportunity to move as he pleases."

  Lord Bowmount sat back and nodded with a smile. Perhaps he was expecting her to astonish him. Katherine watched Victoria move a piece. Lord Bowmount sat up immediately and shook his head.

  "No, Lady Victoria. Not that way. I told you, Bishops move any distance along unblocked diagonals." He proceeded to tell her what to do next.

  Katherine had never seen Victoria so happy in a very long while. Her daughter was filled with easy laughter, a sparkle in her eyes and childish glee.

  "You deliberately put me here, so I could try to make a smart move, so I would be corrected, did you not, My Lord?"

  Lord Bowmount chuckled boisterously. "Perhaps I did."

  Victoria sent him a look. Then she shook her head. Katherine couldn't believe what she was seeing. Lord Bowmount had succeeded in making her daughter smile. Even when Katherine herself had not. Her laughter hadn't been fake. It had been real, up until her eyes. It made Victoria's eyes sparkle. She creased her brows. What was Lord Bowmount doing home? He was supposed to be at work.

  She stood properly. She would leave them to it and talk to Victoria later. She made to walk away when her leg hit a vase on her left. The vase fell to the floor. Katherine swallowed hard as the sound of the ceramic breaking res
onated through the silent house.

  She heard a shuffling behind her.

  A gasp came. "My Lady, are you alright?"

  It was Amelia who spoke.

  "Mother?" Victoria's voice followed. And that was it. She heard the creak of the door and all three people stepped out.

  Katherine shook her head. "It's nothing to worry about. I'm fine."

  Behind Victoria, Lord Bowmount breathed in relief. Katherine could not help, but let her gaze linger until his eyes met hers. But that never happened. Lord Bowmount was quick to make an escape. Katherine felt her heart break as she watched him. Perhaps she had hidden for far too long and everything was ruined. Perhaps there was no hope that he would look at her the way he had the other day. She wondered if he understood why she had left. Not because of what she did not feel, but because of what she felt.