“Oh, look now,” Penny said. “Here they all come. I wonder if they have arrived at any sort of conclusion.”
“Fiona, is that not Cantin?” Amanda asked.
Fiona whirled around and found Robert walking with Ellis, William, Captain Gaines, and Viscount Winsbarren. He was laughing at something one of the gentlemen said, and then his eyes found hers. He smiled across the room and Fiona wanted to hide. Her feelings without him around were steadfast and resolute, she would not fall for his charm and fake sincerity another second.
However, seeing him, here, now, that resolve fled. The bottom had fallen from her stomach, butterflies fluttered around her heart, and her wits deserted her. She stood numb as he approached.
“Fiona,” he said, took up her hands, and brought each to his lips. “I have missed you.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek, lingering as if he wanted to hold her.
“My lord,” she managed to whisper and pulled back.
He gazed into her eyes. “Are you feeling unwell? You look dashed.”
Fiona removed her fingers from his and took a deep breath. “No, my lord. I am very well indeed. I trust you had a safe journey.”
“Yes, very well, thank you.” He stared at her curiously.
“And you have accomplished all you intended at the Park?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“That is a relief. Have you seen your mother? Your sister informed us at luncheon you were due to arrive and has been waiting your return. I believe she is sitting with Lady Olivia and the dowagers.” Fiona needed to have him elsewhere. His close proximity made her uneasy. No matter how much she denied what she felt for him, and how hurt she was by his actions, she wanted to throw her arms about his neck and kiss him soundly.
“Fiona? Are you sure you are well?”
She ignored his question and asked, “What kind of son would you be if you did not greet your mother?”
He grabbed her hand. “I will see my mother in a minute. I should like to dance with my wife.” He pulled her through the room and onto the dance floor, where a waltz was already in progress.
Fiona wanted to keep a distance between them, but the more she fought it, the more he pulled her closer.
“You are overset with me,” he said, breathing into her ear.
“No, my lord.” She kept her eyes closed so she wouldn’t see his handsome face.
“Yes. You are. I can feel it.”
She opened her eyes. “Nonsense. How can you feel if I am overset?”
“You are my wife.”
Fiona snorted. Robert had never cared before if she had been troubled. Why should he start now? This was just another ploy to break down her defenses.
“Fiona, damn it, what is wrong with you? I thought you would be at least pleased to see me.”
“There is nothing wrong with me, my lord. I am pleased you are back. I have finally finished with the seating arrangements for the party and would like your approval.”
“Damn the seating arrangements, Fiona. Why are you distressed? I have been gone these ten days together. There is nothing I could have done to give you such anguish. Or are you aggrieved for something I did,” he paused, “or did not do before I left?”
Fiona stumbled.
“Ah, so there it is,” he said. “You are upset with me about our last night together. Fiona, your request was of a delicate nature and I did not….”
“No,” Fiona interrupted, her cheeks ablaze he could guess one of her secrets so quickly. “You did not. And my eyes were finally opened. I have been ill-used by your phony affections and I am not as naïve as you would believe, my lord. I will behave accordingly in front of your friends, but do not think I will ever again be so gullible at home.”
She broke away from him and ran off the dance floor, through the crowded ballroom and out into the hall. Down the stairs, she left her shawl, and ran out into the night. She found their carriage on the street, startling Eammon with her appearance. She didn’t even wait for him to put down the steps, but leapt into the coach.
“Home, Eammon, as fast as you can take me,” she shouted.
She let the angry tears fall, fast and furious. She hadn’t ever meant to tell Robert what she had deduced, but the hurt of their last night together overwhelmed her. How could he think she would greet him warmly when she knew he was only play acting with her affection? Well, now he knew she knew and their relationship would be on even footing. They could remain polite strangers until the annulment took place.
Eammon pulled up in front of Cantin House, and before he could scramble from his seat, Fiona jumped down. Edwards opened the door, clearly astonished at the sight of her alone.
“Please send the carriage back for Lady Joanna,” she said and fled up to her room.
“My lady,” Merry said when Fiona slammed her bedchamber door. “What is it? Has something happened?”
“Oh, yes, Merry, something has happened. My husband has returned.” She turned her back to her maid. “Help me out of this wretched thing, if you please. ‘Tis stifling.”
“Of course, my lady.” Merry undid the buttons as quickly as she could while Fiona tapped her foot. She couldn’t decide if she were more angry at Robert and his duplicity, or herself for telling him she knew about it.
Fiona heard the downstairs door slam, and felt the reverberation in the floor. That could only be Robert. Well, if it was fight he wanted, it was a fight she would give.
“I think it would be best for you to depart,” Fiona said turning around to face Merry. “You should not bear witness to what is about to happen.”
“But I am not finished with the gown. And I should not like to leave you alone.” Merry’s eyes were round with fright.
“Do not worry, dearest. His lordship’s wrath is nothing I cannot handle.”
The door flew open and banged upon the wall. Merry fled. Robert stood there, rage emanating from every pore.
“Have you completely lost all your senses?” He pushed the door with his foot and the casing rattled as the door crashed against it.
“I am in complete control of my senses,” Fiona stated. She took a step back as he walked toward her.
“How dare you leave me on the dance floor looking like the veriest fool? Have you any idea of the ribbing I took from my friends?”
“Ah, so it is still all about you,” Fiona ground out. “Leave me. I have no wish to get into a shouting match because you are behaving like a spoiled child.”
“Me, a spoiled child? Fiona, what is all this and your damned accusations of false affections. What has given you this idea? Who have you been talking to? Greenleigh?”
“Greenleigh? Greenleigh has naught to do with any of this.”
“Well, obviously someone has been filling your head with lies. How can you even begin to say my affections are false?”
“Because they are. You flattered and fawned over me before you left so I would behave for your dinner party. No more scandal, is that not what you said before you left me that morning? And when I asked you to lay with me, you took it literally so you would not have to break with our agreement for the annulment. I am not so addle-pated to think that idea has ever left your mind for one second. However, I thought you would jump at the chance to be rid of me when I asked you for the annulment. But you did not and that confused me very much. It took me a little while to figure out your motives for keeping me around, but I must say, your plan was brilliant. You cannot be rid of me until your legislation has passed. You need me to be your hostess, your wife, so you would not look foolish in front of all your aristocratic friends. I finally figured out the rules of this game you are playing. Now we are on an even field.”
Robert threw back his head and laughed.
Fiona shrank further into her room. He was mad! On his way to Bedlam in a basket.
“Oh, Fiona, you are a wonder.” He stepped to her and she retreated until she could go no further, her back was to the wall.
“Fiona what you are accusin
g me of is absurd. I am not playing any kind of game with you. First of all, I do not need your help getting the votes. William and Ellis have been securing them in my absence. Secondly, you are my duchess, therefore my hostess. And third, the only reason I did not consummate our marriage on that night was because if I had, I would never have left you the next day, and I really did need to be at Cantin Park.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “What I feel for you is very real, and I did not want to frighten you with my passion.” He leaned down and kissed her.
Robert wrapped his arms around her and gave her a kiss that curled her toes. She could feel his heart pounding, his ardor growing as he pulled her body closer to hers. An ancient need, a siren’s song, called to her from the depths of her soul. She wanted this man, in her life, in her bed, in her soul. But she could never be sure where his heart lay.
She pushed him away. “No. Stop!” Fiona ran to the other side of the room. “Do not dare touch me again.”
“Fiona.” Robert walked toward her.
She picked up the fireplace poker. “I said, do not come near me. I swear by all that is Holy, I will use this.”
“Fiona, what has gotten into to you?”
“You, my lord. You and your damned inconsistencies. You marry me, then say we are to proceed with an annulment. You kiss me at your leisure, but when I want the same from you, you disregard it as an inconvenience. You wish me to be the quintessential duchess and when I am, you throw it back in my face. And now, you expect me to believe you, that it was all a misunderstanding. No, my lord, I refuse to play this game any longer. As I said, I will be the perfect hostess at your dinner party, but after that, I. wish to proceed with the annulment. Now please leave. I should like to get some sleep. I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.”
“Fiona.” Robert held out his hand. “You are misinterpreting my actions. You….”
“No! I have misinterpreted nothing, Robert. My eyes are wide open. You said it yourself, our marriage is nothing but a business arrangement. Now please, just go.”
Robert headed for the door and then turned. “Fiona, we are not finished with this.”
“Yes, my lord we are.”
He left the room, and Fiona replaced the fire poker. She went to the door that separated their rooms and locked it, walked to her bedroom door and locked that. Then she climbed into bed and sobbed like a child.
*****
In the hall, Robert leaned against her bedroom door. He heard her moving about, and was about to go back in when he heard the lock click into place. Anger bit at him until he heard her cries.
Oh, Sweet Jesus, what had he done?
Chapter Twenty-Six
Fiona woke with the birds. Merry had brought her chocolate and Fiona lay in bed sipping the dark brown ambrosia. She gave the fight she’d had with Robert two seconds of her time, and then dismissed it. She would not allow him to drive her insane with any more lies. She instead made a list of all she had to do that day for the dinner party.
“I think I shall go down to breakfast, Merry, before we set about for our walk.” Finished with her chocolate, she threw back the covers.
Merry glanced at the clock. “Should you not like a tray brought up, my lady? You would not have to see His Grace.”
“No. I shall have to face him sooner or later and I may as well start now. My Da’ always said, ‘tis better to look straight into the face of the Devil. You have a much better aim when you spit in his eye.” Her father could never know how much comfort she took from his words these days. Her strict up-bringing had somehow prepared her for this life she now lived.
Washed and dressed, Fiona made her way down to the breakfast room. Robert had not come down yet. Good, she would be able to eat in peace.
Settling at the table with her breakfast, her tranquility was short-lived.
“Good-morning, Fiona,” Robert said briskly. He walked to the buffet and made his plate and coffee.
“Good-morning, my lord.” Fiona did not look at him.
“How did you sleep last night?” he asked.
Certainly, this show must be for the servants’ benefit. “Very well indeed, my lord, and you?” She cut up her slice of ham.
“Not at all. I tossed and turned all night.”
“I’m very sorry to hear it.” She bit into her ham and ignored him.
“What are you about today?” he asked.
“After my walk, I must arrange the flowers for the party, inspect the tableware, and sew the buttons on James the Elder’s dress jacket. Then there is Lady Buxton’s at-home, which I promised I would attend, my last fitting at the modiste for my gown, and then a short rest before the dinner party.”
“I see.” Robert took a sip of coffee. “I do wish to speak to you, Fiona.”
“As you can see, I have a fairly busy schedule. Perhaps it can wait until the morrow.” She took a bite of egg.
“I believe,” Robert said, “as the only free time you have is during your morning walk, I shall accompany you.”
Fiona looked at him with a stony eye. “I must protest, my lord. My morning walks are sacred time for Merry and myself. We discuss all manner of subjects relevant to our daily lives and I do not wish that to be disturbed.” She could absolutely not allow him to accompany them.
This was the private time Fiona had set aside for Merry to be with Eammon. Fiona would walk with James the Younger, while Eammon and Merry followed. They were head over heels in love and it was Fiona’s fondest wish for them to be married soon. Fiona wanted to bring Merry with her when she left Cantin House, and if Merry married Eammon, Fiona would have everything she needed in the way of servants.
Robert cleared his throat. “I am sure young James will not be put out, and this will give Merry and Eammon their time alone. I am determined, Fiona, so do not refuse or put up an argument. I have much to say, and with walking in the Park, I do not believe you can threaten me with any more dangerous objects. We will talk and I mean to do so at the earliest convenience.”
She could not contain her curiosity. “How did you know about Merry and Eammon?”
Robert smiled. “I am the Duke of Cantin and this is my house, Fiona. I know everything that goes on within its walls.”
Not everything, she thought. She took a dainty sip of her hot chocolate and pushed the rest of her breakfast away. There was nothing for it. He would hound her all day if she did not acquiesce. “Very well.” She stood from the table. “I shall await you in the foyer in ten minutes.”
However, Fiona did not intend to listen to one thing he had to say, especially if he would fill her head with more deceit. She could still see Robert for what he really was, what she had thought of him all those months ago – a very handsome English aristocrat with a head for business acumen. His mother’s request of Fiona to induce Robert’s feelings to come to the surface, sheer lunacy. Robert held no depth of real affection. He was as shallow as her breakfast plate.
*****
Fiona set a brisk pace in the Park, and Robert kept up, mildly amused. He understood her reasoning, if she walked fast, they wouldn’t be able to talk. Well, he could walk and talk just as quickly as she.
“Fiona,” he said, as they passed the first turn. “I know my behaviour of late has left you with some serious reservations about our marriage.”
She flashed him a glance. “It is not a marriage, my lord, ‘tis nothing but a business arrangement.”
“For the sake of the argument, let us call it a marriage. We are wed in the eyes of the Lord, after all.”
Fiona sniffed.
He continued. “I know my feelings have run hot and cold since the beginning of our life together, but I have indeed grown quite fond of you. You have come to mean so much more to me than I ever intended.” He paused. “I care for you very much, Fiona.”
Fiona stopped dead. “Oh aye, spout more pretty words. Doing it a bit brown, are we not, my lord? Do you truly think I shall believe anything you say now?” She took off walking.
&
nbsp; He caught up to her and touched her elbow. “Honestly, I do not care if you do or not. I only know what I feel.”
Fiona turned away from him and brought her fingers to her eyes. Robert stepped in front of her, took her hand in his, and compelled her to look at him.
“Fiona, after your incident at the docks, when you came home all bloody and bruised, I wanted to kill them for what they did to you. I wrestled with my guilt for days afterward, knowing it was my fault it happened in the first place. I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone harming you, or much worse, losing you. I realized I was a fool for mistreating you in the first place, which is why I tried to make it up to you during the sennight that followed.” He placed her hand on his arm and began walking at a leisurely pace.
“When you came to me that day and demanded the annulment, I had no idea what to say. You took me by complete surprise. I wanted to keep you with me, but was afraid to share my feelings, knowing you would not believe me, hence the foolish reasons I gave you. I had no idea you would take that to mean I was only showing you affection to keep you by my side for the dinner party. Hang the party. There is nothing more important to me than you.”
Fiona stopped walking. “Why should I trust you now?” she asked quietly. “From the moment we married you have wished to be rid of me. You have treated me like a problem child and brought me into your study for a scolding seventeen times. And now you say you care for me? I cannot credit it, my lord.”
“I have not scolded you seventeen times,” he said. He could not.
“Shall I count them out for you? I remember every one quite clearly.” She put up her fingers. “Using the back door. Going to the stables. Speaking to the servants. Bringing the cat home. Walking in the morning. Shall I go on?”
Robert felt like the biggest bounder. “No, you have quite made your point. Forgive me, Fiona. Berating you was not my intention. I only wanted to keep you safe in some instances, and keep you from being laughed at in Society in others. I can see now, how very much I hurt you.”
The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) Page 19
