by Fiona Miers
“I still wish to read it.”
“Why? Why would you wish to read the salacious lies a cold-hearted person wrote about us simply for the sake of selling newspapers and providing entertainment to the very people who will ridicule you for those false actions?” Thomas asked, his voice echoing through the study. “Why would you wish to do that to yourself? Have you not gone through enough heartache?”
Rebecca slowly rose to her feet and clasped her hands together. “While I feel flattered that you want to protect me, I still wish to see it. I understand what you are attempting to convey to me, and your concern for my well-being does not go unnoticed, but it is simply something I must read, Thomas. Please.”
His gaze met hers and his jaw unclenched for a moment. “Is there any way that I can persuade you not to do this?”
“Unfortunately not, Thomas, but your persistence is truly admirable.”
A smile formed on his lips, then he nodded. “Very well,” he said. “I will only be a moment. Please do not go anywhere.”
Rebecca watched as he left the study only to return a few moments later. The newspaper was in his hands and he slowly approached her carefully, as though he was still unwilling to hand it over.
But as promised, he gave Rebecca the newspaper and she sat on the sofa once more. She rested the paper on her lap and began to read the words written.
Within the first paragraph, the reporter had already spoken many untruths about what had occurred on the beach that morning, and she couldn’t believe someone would write such blatant lies about them.
As she glanced down at the name of the person who wrote it, she gritted her teeth and shook her head in disapproval. Hot tears stung her eyes and she shifted the newspaper away from her.
At least now she knew what everyone would be thinking of her.
“Rebecca,” Thomas said and sat beside her. “I am truly sorry for placing you in this predicament. I was the one who kissed you first and I should be the one ridiculed.”
“Why did you kiss me that morning, Thomas?”
As he opened his mouth to provide her with the same answer he had given her at the beach, she shook her head.
“I recall you already answered my question that day, but was your answer truthful?
“Rebecca, you must understand. It was an eventful morning, where you and I both underwent a traumatising experience and—”
“I only understand that you are avoiding the question,” Rebecca said, and she rose to her feet once more. “Why is it so difficult to truthfully answer my question? Is it because I truly am not good enough for you?”
“That is preposterous. You should know that it doesn’t matter to me if you come from a titled family or not.”
“And how would I be aware of that? I am not as well acquainted with you as I thought. I may know your heart, but I certainly do not know your mind. And that terrifies me even more than the dislike your mother has for me.”
Rebecca turned away and stepped to the door, shaking her head in disappointment. She had been under the impression that Thomas was a strong, confident and self-assured man – as that was how he had appeared to her – but she was wrong about that as well.
“Rebecca, wait.”
“Why? Why should I wait? Give me one single reason why I should not walk out that door,” she said and motioned to the door of the study, “and never return again.”
“Because I will not allow it,” Thomas said.
The door suddenly opened behind them and Charles entered the study.
“Good, you are both still here,” Charles said and closed the door again behind him. “Let us talk.”
Chapter Ten.
Thomas exchanged a glance with Rebecca as Charles entered the study and clasped his hands together. He wasn’t certain what their mother had told Charles, but judging from the expression on his face, it wasn’t positive.
Both he and Rebecca took their seats on the sofa and stared quietly at Charles, awaiting the words that would ultimately spill from his mouth. Charles pursed his lips for a while as he slowly swayed back and forth, perhaps gathering his thoughts before speaking.
“Charles, before you say anything—”
“Thomas, wait,” Rebecca interjected. “I understand why your mother thinks of me in such a negative manner as to ask me to leave your life. The article in the newspaper certainly does put me in a bad light, but for what it’s worth, most of it is not true. My intentions toward Thomas are not what your mother believes them to be.”
“That article upset my mother very much. As you can imagine, she is very protective of her sons,” Charles said.
“And her family’s reputation,” Thomas muttered.
Charles glared at him for a moment, yet Thomas did not regret his words. He was well aware of the lengths his mother would go to protect her family’s reputation.
“What else did she say?” he asked.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Charles sighed. “What I wish to know is what you will do now, Thomas?”
“Me? What I am to do?” Thomas repeated.
“Indeed. This entire situation’s outcome rests upon your course of action, little brother,” Charles said with a grim expression on his face.
He exchanged glances with Rebecca and Charles, and wished he knew how he was to proceed, with either his mother or regarding the article. Perhaps he could write a strongly worded letter to the editor of the newspaper? But more than likely, the damage had already been done. People in Weymouth would have already begun to spread tales of what occurred between him and Rebecca. The only way to return her reputation to its former state was to...
Thomas lowered his gaze and he felt ashamed for even thinking it. He did not wish to marry her under such pretences, simply to save her reputation. She deserved much better than that, and Thomas refused to even consider it as an option. But what would be the alternative?
Before he could speak, Rebecca said, “I wish to return home with my father.”
“Your father has already returned home,” Charles said simply.
“What? When?” Rebecca asked.
“Shortly after you came to my study. I informed him that the Dowager Duchess requested you visit longer and he agreed, reluctantly,” Charles said.
“I am surprised he did not insist on staying,” Rebecca said under her breath. “He made it very clear that I am not to be anywhere near Thomas.”
“Interesting,” Charles said. “Because of what happened on the beach?”
“Indeed. But not as it states in the article...” Rebecca gasped loudly and covered her mouth with both hands. Her eyes widened as her hands dropped to her sides and she turned to Thomas.
“What?”
“The article. My father doesn’t know of it. He will find the newspaper in the kitchen and...” Her voice trailed and she swallowed loudly. “I must leave and go to him. Explain to him that it’s not true.”
“No. That is out of the question,” Charles said.
“Why? I must tell my father the truth. He will believe me,” Rebecca said.
“Are you certain of that?” Charles asked.
Rebecca rose to her feet and clasped her hands together. “Indeed. This has not been the first time this particular reporter has targeted my family.”
“What do you mean?” Charles asked.
“Shortly after our arrival in Weymouth, an article in the newspaper reported the reason why my father and I moved to a seaside town. It was pure lies that were tremendously injurious to my father’s reputation as a physician. It’s that very same reporter who wrote the article about Thomas and me.”
“What did your father do?”
“He wrote a letter to the editor and accused them of publishing defamatory information about him. The editor and the reporter published a public apology towards my father in the newspaper. His reputation was restored, and he has quickly become well-respected and loved in the community,” Rebecca said. “I do, however, fear that this would not be the case
with me. Women’s reputations are as fragile as glass, while men’s reputations are as unwavering as the rocks you find at the foot of the cliffs.”
Thomas frowned and lowered his gaze, feeling guilty that his foolish actions led to the article. Although most of the things in the article were not accurate, it would not have been written if it had not been for him.
“Rebecca, I agree that you need to discuss this with your father. The paper was from this morning, and by now the entire town has knowledge of it. But I cannot allow you to face your father alone.”
“Thomas, I—”
“I tend to agree with my brother,” Charles said. “Your father will be livid and would require a thorough explanation of what happened, even if it is not something he wishes to hear, and especially not from the man who did those things to his daughter.”
“Allegedly,” Thomas said.
“Thomas only kissed me, that is the extent of it,” Rebecca said firmly, glaring at Charles.
Charles raised his hands in the air. “I pass no judgement whatsoever. It is not as though I can say that I have never—”
“Charles, please,” Thomas said, not wishing to hear intimate details from his brother.
“My apologies. I shall call for a carriage and have you and Rebecca delivered to Dr. Morton’s home as speedily as possible.”
“Thank you, Charles,” Rebecca said, and Charles nodded, turning on his heel. “We should hurry—”
Before Rebecca was able to complete her sentence, Thomas reached for her hand, grasping it tightly. He spun her around and she gazed at him with wide eyes.
“Thomas...” Her voice was merely a whisper, and as much as Thomas wished to kiss her, hold her tightly against his chest, now was most certainly not the right time for it.
Despite his feelings, which only grew with every moment spent with her, there were more important issues at hand. Dr. Morton would be furious when he saw the article, and Thomas began to prepare himself for the wrath of Rebecca’s father. He had experienced it once before, but he realised that was mild in comparison to how Dr. Morton would react if he were to read the things Thomas had supposedly done to his daughter.
He pursed his lips and loosened his grasp on Rebecca’s hand. “Let us go. There is no point in delaying this.”
“I see the terror in your eyes, Thomas. I am truly sorry for involving you in this.”
He smiled and brushed a lock of hair from her face. “There is no need to apologise to me, Rebecca. All I require is one more gaze at your beautiful face before your father beats me to death.”
Rebecca pouted and placed her hand on his cheek. “Luckily, I can nurse you back to health.”
“Even if I am dead?” he asked.
In a moment that should have been grim, they chuckled in amusement before they quietly left the study to make their way to the carriage that waited for them outside.
IT WAS SILENT IN THE carriage as it made its way to the townhouse, and Rebecca stared at her hands resting on her lap. Although she and Thomas had found amusement in the fact that her father may beat poor Thomas to death, it was certainly a possibility. She was the only family her father had left, and he would go to great lengths to ensure that she was not harmed in any way.
She was rather anxious to return home, wondering what kind of reaction her father would have regarding the article. Her father was a rational man, but she was convinced there was no way that he would be able to act rationally if he heard the news.
“Rebecca?” Thomas said softly and she glanced at him. “Are you well?”
“I am not certain how to answer your question, Thomas. Things have happened in such quick succession that I haven’t been able to process everything. Your mother, the article, your brother, and now my father. I feel rather overwhelmed. A multitude of feelings swarm inside me. Thoughts are whirling in my mind at an alarming rate, and I feel powerless to stop them,” she said with a sigh. “Are you well?”
“Evaluating my life, as one does when they are moments away from death,” Thomas said.
Rebecca smiled weakly and stared out at the hills passing. She was on the verge of bursting into tears, but she convinced herself to remain strong. She did not wish for Thomas to see her in such an emotional state and quietly composed herself, praying that everything would be all right.
Or at least she hoped it would be.
After all, she was aware that Thomas would not allow any harm to come to her, even if the source was her father.
The carriage came to a stop and Thomas climbed out. He held his hand out to her, but she ignored it. She did not intend to be rude to him, but rather it was her anxious state that caused her to withdraw and not accept his assistance. She stepped onto the ground and made her way to the townhouse.
As they reached the door, it opened, and they were met by Rebecca’s red-faced father. His stare was dagger sharp, directed entirely at Thomas.
“Inside. Now,” Dr. Morton said firmly.
Rebecca gulped, her stomach plummeting at the expression on his face. But she nodded obediently and entered the townhouse, immediately making her way to the parlour.
“What is this?” Dr. Morton demanded as he grabbed the newspaper and held it in the air.
“Father, I can explain—”
“Please do so,” Dr. Morton interrupted.
Rebecca drew in a breath but before she was able to utter a word, Thomas stepped in. Whether it would be considered heroic or foolish was still to be determined.
“Dr. Morton, if there is anyone here who should explain, it should be I.”
“Then do so!”
Thomas was clearly taken aback by the forceful manner in which her father spoke, and she opened her mouth to step in.
“Speak, you coward,” Dr. Morton said impatiently.
“Father...”
“No, your father is right in calling me a coward, Rebecca,” Thomas said and turned to Dr. Morton. “If there is anyone responsible for the damage caused to Rebecca’s reputation, I am to blame.”
“This is unacceptable,” Dr. Morton said and threw the newspaper on the ground.
The sudden movement made Rebecca jump and her bottom lip quivered. “Father, it is not true. The article is not accurate at all.”
“Thomas did not kiss you?” Dr. Morton asked.
She hesitated for a moment then told the truth. “He did kiss me, and I kissed him in return. But nothing else came of it.”
Her father’s face darkened into a deep crimson and his gaze darted toward Thomas. “What do you have to say for yourself, Thomas Melton? What are your intentions toward my daughter?”
“Father—”
“I am not addressing you, Rebecca,” he said in warning.
Her father stepped forward and glared at Thomas who was only a short distance away. “Speak. Now.”
Thomas cleared his throat and Rebecca stared at him expectantly. “My intention was to come here today and request your permission.”
“Permission for what?”
“To court your daughter with a view to an engagement,” Thomas said.
“What?” Rebecca asked with a gasp.
That was most certainly not what she had expected Thomas to say.
“And why would I allow you to court her?” Dr. Morton asked.
“I am the reason her reputation is now in tatters and I do not wish to cause her any further harm or embarrassment. I care for your daughter, Dr. Morton, and I believe that I can make her happy. Her reputation does not matter to me, because I know the sort of person she is.”
Rebecca stared at her father, her jaw slack in shock.
“You truly are to blame for my daughter’s reputation being ruined, especially since I made it very clear to her that I did not wish for her to marry young. Perhaps I did this to protect her from men such as yourself. But owning up to your mistakes and being prepared to go to extremes to rectify them shows me that you have a sense of maturity and responsibility. Shall we discuss this further?”
>
Rebecca’s jaw dropped as she listened to the conversation developing between her father and Thomas, as though it was the most ordinary thing to do. She blinked a number of times, not truly believing she was witnessing this sight before her.
She had not imagined her father would even consider allowing Thomas to court her with the intention of marrying her. It infuriated her not only because her father had suddenly swayed with Thomas’ promise of marriage, but they were practically planning the wedding already.
She hadn’t agreed to anything, nor had she been asked whether this was what she wanted. She was once again being overlooked and it infuriated her to no end.
On several occasions she attempted to speak, but her father did not allow her to. He simply cast a dismissive glance in her direction before continuing his conversation with Thomas. Even Thomas avoided her gaze, which made her feel unimportant and that neither she nor her opinion mattered at all.
The more her father and Thomas discussed her future, the angrier she became. Hot tears stung her eyes and a gasp escaped her throat.
“I cannot believe you are discussing my future without even asking me whether this is what I want. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves,” she said angrily.
She heard Thomas call out to her as she turned on her heel and ran out of the parlour, but she did not wait or turn back. Her heart was in tatters as was her reputation, and not even an arranged marriage to the man she cared for would mend it.
Chapter Eleven.
Thomas found it rather difficult to focus on Dr. Morton while in the back of his mind he was thinking about Rebecca and how she had stormed off to her bedchambers in such an agitated state.
He was aware why she was upset, but he had to say things to her father that needed to be said. He had to put Dr. Morton’s mind at ease that his daughter would not be cast out of society and treated harshly. He had come clean to Dr. Morton, telling him the truth about what happened at the beach, although he had already done so prior. Only this time, he included their kisses, and it seemed as though Dr. Morton respected him more after doing so.
