An Artful Deception

by Karen Cogan

CHAPTER TEN

  “I convinced Philip to let me come today in his stead. He has told me the whole story and shown me the portrait. At first, I was shocked and quite angry. I suppose I shall never understand your attempt to avoid marrying my Philip.”

  During the pause Katharine said, “I want to tell you how heartily sorry I am for all of the inconvenience I have put you through. I never meant to cause anyone pain. I am afraid I did not think ahead when I hatched my plan.”

  “What ever made you do such a thing? Surely you could not have thought my Philip so disagreeable?”

  Katharine decided not to mention their childhood meeting. “Though I dare not try and excuse my behavior, I believe I acted thus because I was so distraught over my father’s death. I was not thinking clearly. I hope that you can forgive me one day.”

  Lady Charlesworth’s expression softened. “Indeed, it is a hard thing to lose a parent. Perhaps I have been too hard in my judgment. That is why I am here. Your mother was my dearest friend, you know.”

  “Yes, she often spoke of you, and very highly, I might add.”

  “Well, for your mother’s sake, I am inclined to put this whole affair behind us. I am here to stand in on her behalf. Philip has told me that he has spent the last two days scouring the west end to find a townhouse for you. For the sake of your dear mother, I will not hear of it. It is most improper. You must come back to us. I have ordered a comfortable upstairs chamber prepared for you.”

  Katharine felt tears gather in her eyes as she stared into the fiercely determined face of the matron. The mention of her mother had elicited an unexpected wave of loneliness. She would have liked to have had a female hand to guide and direct her these last few years.

  She gathered her composure and said, “I would not wish to bring embarrassment to your house. My change in position may prove a bit awkward to explain.”

  Lady Charlesworthshook her head. “We will deal with that later. There are no townhouses available for rent. So, I want it understood that you are coming back this very day. I will not have you staying on Cheapside. It is too near the river and very damp. You will catch consumption in that drafty house. And then, I could never live with myself.”

  Katharine wavered. A stubborn streak inside her bid her have her own way. But had not Lady Charlesworth said that Philip had not found any houses for rent? She did not want to go on living in a small sewing room forever. And it would be lovely to see Philip every day again, to hear him read poetry in the library. And this time, there would be no pretenses between them.

  She made up her mind. “Yes, I should like that very much. Thank you for your kind invitation to return.”

  Lady Charlesworth sighed. “I am glad you have decided to be sensible. Philip had warned me that you might prove intractable. If that were the case, I was prepared to keep you captive in the carriage until you agreed to return.”

  Katharine laughed. “You would kidnap me then?”

  The lady nodded her head most vigorously. “If that was what it took.”

  “Then I am glad that will not be necessary.”

  They arrived back at Cheapside.

  “You must pack your things. I will send the carriage back round for you this afternoon,” Lady Charlesworth instructed.

  “Yes, my lady. I shall be packed and ready.”

  “Very good. See that you are,” she said crisply, yet there was a smile on her lips as she watched Katharine alight.

  Philip arrived with the carriage that afternoon. He bounded to the door and greeted Katharine. “I am delighted to find that my mother was able to do what I could not accomplish and convince you to return.”

  Katharine raised a finely shaped brow. “I was told there are no suitable houses to rent.”

  He paused suspiciously before answering, “Of course. That is true.”

  Katharine studied him closely. She had her suspicions. Yet, she was happy to be returning and decided that she did not want to know.

  As the driver loaded her baggage, she turned to Mrs. Baker. “I can never thank you enough for your kind heart. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. Perhaps you would like to move your shop to a fashionable part of the city?”

  Mrs. Baker shook her head. “I am content where I am with me neighbors around me, and though my clients may not be the fanciest, they keep me busy.”

  Philip presented a card. “Nonetheless, if you ever change your mind, or need anything at all, please be sure and look us up.”

  Katharine took Mrs. Baker’s rough hand. “You must come and see me, and Lizzy also, for I know she would love to see you. Or perhaps we might come to visit you.”

  Mrs. Baker nodded. “I would feel awkward coming to a fancy house. Come and bring Lizzy and I will put on a spot of tea.”

  Katharine promised just such a visit.

  When she joined Philip in the carriage, he turned to her with a smile. “Your return will bring a measure of peace to our household. You cannot imagine the turmoil my mother has caused. She has complained constantly of the suffering of her poor nerves. I say, poor Lizzy.”

  Katharine suppressed a smile as she thought of Lady Charlesworth. “I can only imagine what she has gone through. And I am very glad if I may bring peace, for once, instead of distress. And I do long to see dear Lizzy.”

  She did not have to wait long, as Lizzy was dusting the parlor when they arrived. She dropped her cloth when she heard Katharine’s voice and hurried into the foyer. Then, remembering her position, she checked her excitement and managed a proper curtsey. Katharine handed her bonnet to the butler, who seemed displeased to be waiting upon her. Then she faced Lizzy. “Your aunt was very good to me, as were you, dear Lizzy. I have missed you as well as our late in the night talks.”

  Lizzy was more than delighted to see her friend. “Oh, Lady Katharine, I have been so worried since I sent you off. I am relieved to hear that my aunt was willing to take you in. And now you are returned and everything will be well.”

  Katharine smiled up at Philip. “Yes, I think all shall be well.

  She turned back to Lizzy. “Since I have arrived with no lady’s maid, I am looking for someone to fill the position. Would you know of anyone who is able to arrange hair and mend clothes?”

  Lizzy’s looked thoughtful. “I do not know many maids in London.”

  Katharine laughed. “I meant you. You have already proved your ability.”

  Lizzy’s eyes shone. “I should be very grateful to you, my lady.”

  “It is I who should be grateful. You saved me from being a complete failure with Lady Charlesworth.”

  Philip turned to Lizzy. “You can begin by settling Lady Katharine in the third floor guest room. Bring her some warm water and I shall have her trunk sent up.”

  While Lizzy scurried to get water, Philip walked Katharine to her room. “I know you must be tired. Perhaps, after a rest, you would join me for a walk about our small garden. As you remember, it is well sheltered from the wind.”

  “I should be very pleased to do so.”

  He bowed. “And now I must see my mother. She will want to know that you have come back, for I fear she will not rest well until she is assured that you have done her bidding.”

  An hour later, rested and in a fresh dress, Katharine went down to the garden. She found Philip waiting near a laurel bush that was showing signs of life after enduring the cold of winter. He looked handsome in a dark walking coat. Unbidden, her eyes followed his long body from his polished Hessian boots to his eyes. She blushed to see that he had not missed her assessment and she wondered if things would be less awkward between them now that the class barrier had been removed.

  He stepped toward her. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  She offered her hand. He bent and kissed it. His warm lips elicited a tingle that traveled the length of her arm. He was by far the most exciting man she had ever met. She regretted that she had not known him to be so captivating before she invented
her ridiculous charade.

  “How did your mother take the news of my return?”

  “She is congratulating herself for convincing you when I could not. I believe she revels in the accomplishment.”

  Katharine grinned. “She can be quite persuasive.”

  “Indeed. Shall we take a turn along the wall?”

  “I should like that. It is very pleasant in the garden this afternoon.”

  As they walked, she pointed to a row of bulbs that were peeking just above the dirt. “I love the promise of spring. It is like a new beginning. I used to ride a great deal as soon as it was warm enough. I would ride so long afar that my groom would begin to ask if I was nearly ready to return. I do not think that he liked the responsibility of accompanying me.”

  Philip smiled down upon her head, finding it difficult to curb his urge to stroke her silky locks. “I should like the responsibility of accompanying you if you should enjoy a morning ride in Hyde Park.”

  Katharine’s eyes lit with anticipation. “I should like it very much. In fact, I envied you each morning when you left for your ride.”

  “Tomorrow, then. I shall order the horses for nine o’clock. Is that too early?”

  “No. I am used to getting up early now.”

  “Splendid.”

  They continued walking until they had taken several turns along the wall. The sunlight was fading and a fog was descending. Katharine pulled her shawl closer about her. Philip noticed the chill that was creeping into the air and regretted the fact that it would soon end their intimacy.

  He stopped and peered down into her eyes. “Perhaps you would agree to a seat beside the fireplace in the library this evening? We have not had a chance to enjoy another reading of poetry.”

  She smiled up at him. “I can think of nothing that would give me more pleasure.”

  He could not resist stroking her face with his finger. “Due to that promise, I shall escort you inside before you catch a chill. And I shall look forward to supper with you and then spending the evening together.”

  He took her arm and led her into the house. They parted in the hallway that led up the stairs. Katharine ascended to take a rest before dressing for supper while Philip continued to the library where he sat behind the massive desk to send payments to their London creditors.

  While Katharine had been walking in the garden, Lizzy had unpacked her trunk. After her rest, Katharine and Lizzy took pleasure in going through Katharine’s clothes. It had been so long since Katharine had been free to enjoy her own garments that she felt strangely out of character when she finally chose her favorite silk frock of deep forest green. She found reassurance in watching her reflection as Lizzyarranged her hair. In her familiar clothes, and with her hair pinned back, she looked like her old self again and the familiarity gave her comfort.

  Philip was awaiting her when she descended the stairs. The approval in his eyes made her cheeks heat with pleasure. He took her arm and leaned down to say, “You are stunning. In all of my boyhood fantasies, I could never have wished for a more beautiful woman to escort to dinner.”

  Katharine smiled up at him. “You flatter me, my lord. But I must confess that I enjoy it, none the less.”

  “Then it shall become a habit, one that I will cultivate with pleasure and ease.”

  He seated her next to him at a rather long table that was designed to accommodate a large party of diners. It looked rather empty with only the two of them.

  “We shall be dining alone as my father is in Parliament tonight and my mother is taking supper at the assembly. I am afraid you must suffer my company.”

  Katharine smiled “Then I shall suffer most stoically and without complaint.”

  The butler served her with efficient courtesy and no trace that he remembered her previous position in the house, though Katharine knew that her return must have been cause for gossip among the servants.

  “What did you tell the staff?” she asked when the stiff-necked butler left the room.

  “I thought it best that I say as little as possible. I said only that, for your own reasons, you had not wished to be discovered and that, when I learned the truth, you agreed to return with me.”

  Katharine sighed. “Though I could have explained it no better, I fear that word of my rash action will not be limited to the serving staff for very long.”

  “Indeed it will not. Before long, all of the old tabbies will be wagging their tongues. As soon as I am seen with you, the gossip will spread like a run-away fire.”

  Katharine leaned towards him. “What are we to do?”

  “I say we face it head on. I care very little for the good opinion of those who do not concern me and I believe that you possess the courage to say the same.”

  “It is true that I know no one in Londonwhose good opinion I could not live without. Yet I doubt that your mother will feel the same. And for that, I am sorry for what I have done.”

  “I do not imagine that she will suffer for long. London gossip does not have a long life. We will soon be set aside for a new scandal.”

  Katharine smiled at him. “I hope that you are right.”

  When they finished their meal, Philip led her into the library. She looked forward to a cozy seat beside the fireplace while Philip’s voice enticed her with the pleasures of Lord Byron’s poems.

  She walked through the doorway and stopped in surprise. The portrait of herself as a young girl leaned unveiled against the bookshelf. “I forgot all about it,” she gasped.

  “Do you like it?”

  “Indeed I do. I do not know why Mama′ thought it unsatisfactory for it looks well executed to me.”

  “Though you have grown from a handsome girl to a beautiful woman, I had no trouble recognizing that it was you.”

  “Thank you. It was kind of you to recover it for me.”

  “I hope that it will soon hang in our gallery. Though I did not think so at the time, I am now convinced that our parents were entirely correct in making our early match. Nothing would please me more than for you to agree to become my wife.”

  Katharine sucked in her breath as she realized how much she had longed to hear those words. “I think I have loved you since the day I saw you in the greenhouse. I realized quickly that I had made a mistake and would have given a great deal to take it back, only I did not know how. I would like nothing better than to be your wife.”

  Philip smiled into her misty eyes as he leaned to kiss her very gently. “You have made me a very happy man.”

  “And you have made me grateful to be rescued from a marriage that I could never have endured and now offer a marriage of which I am most agreeable.”

  Philip cocked a brow. “Your uncle must be evil indeed to have lied in order to bend you to his wishes.”

  “He certainly had no concern for mine. I would rather have lived on the streets of London than to marry his son.”

  Philip grinned. “Yes. I believe you.”

  Katharine’s ire rose at the thought of her uncle. “I cannot believe that I even tried to turn to him for help. I had hoped he would prove my identity both to you and to my father’s solicitor”

  Philip tilted her face to look into her eyes. “That is all in the past. You are alive and well and you have regained your pension, my love.”

  They settled beside the fire, holding hands and reading love sonnets. Katharine felt she would be content to stay there forever. Yet, when Lizzy finally came to see her to bed, she had to admit that she was growing quite drowsy. It had been such a long and exciting day that she fell asleep before her head hit the pillow.

  The morning ride in the park proved exhilarating. Katharine cantered along beside Philip on a gentle gray mare. They rode the trail, nodding and speaking when they met gentlemen from Philip’s club. Katharine returned pink cheeked and ready to join Lady Charlesworth who had invited her to breakfast with her.

  They chatted about the weather and Katharine’s penchant for riding before Lady Charlesworth turned the
conversation to what concerned her. “I can well put the whole unfortunate charade behind us for the sake of your mother. What remains is to explain to my friends how you have gone from being my lady’s maid to being my guest. The matrons have sharp eyes, you know. Those to whom you have accompanied me will be sure to recognize you, even if you effect a change of dress.”

  She sighed and said, “Oh, what shall we do?”

  Katharine suggested, “Perhaps if I remain in seclusion for a time, they will forget all about me.”

  Lady Charlesworth shook her head. “And what of poor Philip? Is he to be deprived of female companionship during the entire length of the season? Surely you would not have him continue to escort Miss Buckley, though she is a lovely girl. Yet, if he did not escort her, someone would be sure to notice his neglect. And how would I explain?”