“They all proposed to me in an effort to stop the society.”
Genie went straight as a rod and her mouth fell open before she said, “They all proposed?”
Lorena nodded.
Genie brightened and moved until she was on her knees. The fire in her green eyes had returned. “Who did you accept? Wait, I already know. You told me. Ashwick. Oh, how marvelous. You’re to be a countess.” Genie fell back on her bed and shrieked.
Lorena laughed and said, “Actually, I didn’t tell Ashwick yes.” She only said this to her friend to drag out the tale, knowing Genie would want it no other way.
Genie sat up as quickly as she’d fallen, wide-eyed. “Why not? Are you thinking of accepting Calvin?”
Lorena frowned and asked, “Why do you think him next in line?”
Genie gave her a blank look and said, “Oh, perhaps it’s because he’s in love with you.”
Lorena rolled her eyes. “Calvin doesn’t love me. He flirts with all women. He even flirts with you.”
Genie’s cheeks began to turn a shade that was close to her hair color. “I do love Calvin. He’s such a cad.”
The women laughed.
“Doesn’t mean he isn’t in love with you, Ren.” She stressed Calvin’s sobriquet for her.
“Calvin loves no woman… or perhaps he loves them all.”
Genie laughed again and shook her head. “How did they propose? Was there jewelry involved? Promises?”
She did remember Calvin’s promise to love her… truly, deeply, and completely… but didn’t think Genie needed to know that, for it would only convince her more of Calvin’s affections for her.
Instead, she said, “It was hardly a proposal at all. The men just strolled in and demanded I choose one of them.”
“I can only be grateful that Francis is your brother,” Genie said with a sigh. Then she looked at her and asked, “So, who did you choose?”
“None.”
Genie’s eyes widened. “The most beautiful and powerful men in London present themselves at your feet and you walk over them.” Genie grabbed Lorena’s shoulders and shook her. “Have you gone mad?”
“No,” Lorena said. “None of them love me. They all have the right to find true happiness, and I want that for them.”
Genie stared at her. “You’re probably right.” She sighed again and declared, “But let it be me to get one of the Nashwood men to propose…”
Lorena frowned. “But you love Francis.”
Genie made a huffy noise and said no more.
Lorena stared at her. “Has someone else caught your fancy?”
“No,” Genie said quickly, meeting her eyes. “But if you get married, then I’ll be alone. I know you know better than to believe your rejection to be the end of the discussion. You know how determined they can be. By this time next week, you could be halfway to Gretna Green and I’d never know. Mark my words. You’re getting married. Since Ashwick seems more determined than the rest, it will be to him, especially since you love him.”
Lorena sighed. She knew Genie was right. She’d told Genie of her feelings long ago. So, she decided to tell the truth. “I will accept Ashwick. It’s only formalities, which means I don’t know what will happen to the society.”
“You must find the man in the mask at the very least,” Genie said.
“Yes,” Lorena quickly agreed. “And it will never matter, married or not, you and I will always be friends.
Genie rested her head on Lorena’s shoulder and sighed. They said nothing for the longest time, then Lorena felt Genie go limp in her arms. She set her friend down to rest in the bed and pulled the sheets over Genie, then left the room.
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
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Lorena was downstairs when she saw Francis walk into the foyer.
“What are you doing here?”
Francis said, “Riding lesson,” then moved his hands over himself to indicate that she should look at his clothes for her answers. His riding jacket was done in a dark green and outlined him very well.
It made her even more aware of her muted color gowns. She’d worn mauve today. The slightly purpled color was an improvement to the gray, yet still respectful for post mourning. Honestly, she’d decided she’d enjoy wearing other colors now. Before, when she’d been dreadfully sad, she’d wanted nothing but black, but now Lorena felt lighter and no longer alone.
“Where’s Evie?” Francis asked.
She smiled. “Evie is asleep.”
“Very well,” he said as if this didn’t concern him. He smiled. “So, I’ve heard the news.” Then he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Congratulations.”
Lorena’s cheeks flushed, both in embarrassment and in anger. “I haven’t told him yes as of yet.”
Francis straightened and met her eyes. “You haven’t?”
“No,” she confessed. And she didn’t like that he’d told her brother that they were engaged. She was still trying to find the man responsible for the fire and didn’t want it over their heads during their marriage. She would not be known as the women who burned down her husband’s home in an effort to catch his eye. She wanted them to start anew. Without the memories of the mishaps that came before.
Though she was sure that more mishaps were bound to happen.
Francis crossed his arms. “He gave me the impression that you were getting married.” His expression was turning and not for the better. “In fact, he’s led us all to believe you two are bound for the church.”
“All?” Lorena asked.
“Morris, Franklin, Calvin,” Francis went on. “The rest are bound to hear about it sometime today.”
Lorena simply blinked.
Francis confessed. “Honestly, when I heard the men had gone to your home to try and push you into an engagement, I thought you’d pick Calvin.”
Lorena blinked again, laughing, and wondered why everyone thought she’d choose Calvin. But quickly stopped laughing so that others would not think her disrespectful of the earl’s plight. A few servants who knew her smiled her way as they passed through the hall. It had been some time since they’d heard laughter in the house.
She looked back up at her brother. “I’ve never once taken Calvin with any sincerity. He’s charming, but he’s a cad.”
Francis grinned. “Glad you know.”
“If only other daughters were privileged enough to have ten handsome young gentlemen as teachers in the lesson of men.”
And she’d learned many lessons from watching them flirt with village women and the way her mother would hush Calvin whenever he made a joke that was improper. Of course, she’d never understood exactly why Calvin’s jokes were improper. Not usually, but when the others would laugh, she knew it was something no lady should know.
Francis lifted a brow and returned them to their previous discussion. “So, you’re not marrying Ashwick?”
“Oh, but I am,” she told Francis with a smile.
Francis narrowed his blue eyes. “Explain.”
Lorena lifted a shoulder. “I simply haven’t said yes as of yet, but I do intend to marry him.” If his mother allowed it and if he didn’t come to his senses soon.
As if reading her mind, because there were times when it seemed that Francis could read her every thought, he said, “Well, you better tell him yes soon and make it official.”
Lorena looked down and asked, “Fear I might lose his affections?”
Francis lifted her head by her chin and with a tenderness in his eyes, he said, “No, I fear he might lose yours, Lorena.”
She smiled. “You say that because you are my brother.”
“No, I say that because I sat in a room full of men willing to take your hand. Make no mistake about it, it would not be a sacrifice for any of them to marry you. Any man who married you would i
mmediately count his good fortune and fall madly in love with you. The men know you’d be a prize for any man.”
Lorena chuckled softly. She did love her brother even when he was lying. “If they haven’t fallen for me by now, they wouldn’t later.”
Francis lifted a brow and said, “Circumstances have been known to change hearts and yours is a heart of gold.” He touched her cheek. “Ashwick knows it, which is why he announced it before anyone else got the idea of proposing again. He was marking what was his.”
Lorena didn’t believe him but smiled.
Her disbelief was also plain on her face and Francis narrowed his eyes and stated, “Calvin might be a cad, but had you accepted his proposal, he’d have been faithful to you.”
“Only because you are his friend,” she quickly countered.
Francis shook his head. “Takes more than friendship to keep a man home. You, Lorena, would have held the power to fix him.”
Lorena’s smile brightened. “You’re marvelous for my self-admiration.”
Francis rolled his eyes but brushed his mouth on his sister’s forehead before stating, “You’ve no idea how beautiful you are, Lorena.”
She accepted her brother’s compliment and said, “Thank you.” Then she said, “I saw the windows open this morning. Did you manage to find the family’s treasure trove?” The treasure trove was a legend that had been passed down from one duke to another. Past dukes had even dug up the land in hopes of finding it. Lorena thought it only made her family look madder than they already were.
Francis laughed. “Actually, we’re changing the house into a gentlemen’s club.”
Lorena’s eyes widened. She didn’t have to ask who the ‘we’ were. He was speaking of the Men of Nashwood.
“Temporarily,” Francis told her. “Once we’ve enough funds, we’ll move the club to another location. I won’t be able to have my family in the same place as a gentlemen’s club.”
“Of course not,” Lorena said with a smile. “I’m happy for you.” A club meant money, and her brother needed that, but at the thought of marriage… “Exactly, when do you plan to marry Genie?”
Francis rolled his eyes. “Not now. I’ve heard enough of it from Morris.”
“Morris?” Lorena asked. “What does Morris had to do with any of this?” Then Lorena’s heart stilled. “Does Morris plan to—”
“Don’t say anything to Genie about it,” Francis told her with heat in his eyes.
Lorena frowned at him in confusion. “I’m uncertain how you feel about Genie. Do you care for her or not?”
Francis straightened and Lorena sighed at his closed expression. He would not share, but Lorena thought she’d gained all she needed to know from the glimpse of heat she’d witnessed in his eyes seconds ago. He did have feelings for Genie and Lorena would find a way to bring her brother and her friend together.
Lorena smiled. “I swear to not mention Morris to Genie.” Then she started for the door. “Have fun on your riding lessons.” And then she was gone.
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CHAPTER NINETEEN
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After stopping home to grab Jane, Lorena took a hack to Sophia’s house. She was forced to attend breakfast with her and Mr. Taylor, and afterward headed to the docks. She’d thought about going to the tavern on her own, but Sophia seemed to know more about such places and Jane seemed capable of lending some protection, especially the sort that came with swinging a basket. Lorena thought it best for them both to accompany her. She’d not been able to find Maura, but Aunt Tilda had told Lorena she would tell Maura where they’d gone.
They started early, which meant Genie was at the park during the unfashionable hour to take in her lessons with Francis, and not able to join.
While they rode in the hack, Sophia said, “Once we find the man responsible, you’ll be able to marry with a clear conscience.”
Lorena liked the thought of that, but had to ask, “Won’t you be disappointed? It would mean the end of the society.” And she was noticing that Sophia didn’t seem to have many friends. So far, she’d seemed to have plenty of time for Lorena, which Lorena didn’t mind, but she was growing to care for her.
“Why would the society end?” Sophia asked with a grin and waited for Lorena’s reply.
Lorena blinked and said, “Well, because I wouldn’t be a spinster anymore.”
“So?” Sophia asked, still staring at Lorena and waiting for her next words.
Lorena looked over at Jane, who was giving Sophia a bewildered look. Then Lorena turned back to Sophia and didn’t know what to say, but decided upon, “If I am not a spinster, I couldn’t be a part of a spinster society.”
“Why not?” Sophia asked. “I’m part of an orphaned children’s charity, but I could hardly call any of the other women in the group children.”
Lorena stared at Sophia and said, “You’re part of a charity for children?” There seemed much she didn’t know about Sophia.
“Indeed,” she said with a grin. “And you can be a part of the Spinster’s Society even if you are not a spinster yourself.”
“What made you join the children’s charity?”
Sophia turned her green eyes away and Lorena noticed once again just how striking a woman Sophia was. She about the same height as Lorena, but was willowy. The dress she wore was made of purple muslin and lace. The color was so vivid that it put Lorena’s mauve dress to more shame.
Sophia turned her gaze back and said, “Can you keep a secret?”
“Of course,” Lorena said.
“I do feel I can tell you anything, Lorena.” Then Sophia added, “There’s simply something about you. You make people feel… safe.”
Lorena smiled. “I’m sure you’re overreacting.”
“She’s not, I’ve never felt safer in my life,” her lady’s maid said with conviction. Lorena had barely any time to comment before Jane turned to Sophia and said, “You can trust me to keep your secrets as well.”
Sophia stared at Jane, then Lorena, before saying, “I was an orphan for a short time.”
Lorena narrowed her eyes and said, “Oh, I’m so sorry.” She reached out and took Sophia’s hand. “I didn’t know, but you look so much like Mr. Taylor.”
She smiled. “That’s because Mr. Taylor is my father. He didn’t know about me until my mother wrote him and five other gentlemen and told them she’d left me at the orphanage, no longer willing to care for me. So, he came, took one look at me, and here I am.” She smiled.
Lorena’s like of Mr. Taylor grew. She suspected he was a rake but at least he was one who cared for his children. Since Sophia’s mother had written more than one gentleman, Lorena could only guess at her mother’s employ. “How old were you when you went?”
“Five,” she confessed, taking on a sober look. “I remember the day she left me.” Then she said no more as the hack came to a stop. “We’re here.”
Lorena hardly cared to go inside the tavern now. She wanted to hear more about Sophia’s story, but Sophia seemed done with her tale and started to climb out of the hack the moment the door opened. She paid the man and started toward the tavern, but instead of going inside, this time, they went around the back.
The Dockhand was a small brick building that seemed to have been built between two other buildings. This Lorena didn’t notice until she was staring at it in the rays of the morning. The building looked small while facing it, but once they started down the alley, Lorena could see that it was long. She wondered if it was only the sunlight that made the difference in her new perspective or if it was her sobriety.
The alley smelt foul and Lorena covered her nose as they stepped over trash and other things she wished never to see. When they arrived at the back door, Sophia knocked and waited for a response.
The door was opened almost immediately by a woman with wil
d blond hair, a round belly, and striking brown eyes. The woman did not look pleased to see them, but then in one blink, her expression changed. “You’re the ladies who those gentlemen stole away the other night.”
Lorena blinked and said, “You were there?”
The woman lifted her brow. “I brought you the ale. I’m Mary-Ann.”
Lorena’s face reddened and she decided it was indeed sobriety that was making her vision clearer. “Oh, I’m quite sorry.”
Mary-Ann grinned. “Nothing to fret about. Most people don’t remember much of anything after a visit here.”
Lorena’s shame didn’t lessen.
Sophia said, “We’re here to speak to the owner.”
“Are the men set to arrive as well?” Mary-Ann looked hopeful.
“We hope not,” Sophia said.
The hope died from her eyes and she asked, “Who were they?”
“A few of the Men of Nashwood,” Lorena told her.
Mary-Ann’s brow rose. “I should have guessed. They were all devastatingly beautiful.” Then she narrowed her eyes. “Did one of them belong to one of you?”
Sophia and Jane’s eyes both turned to Lorena.
Lorena smiled at Mary-Ann and was sure belong described what Ashwick thought she was to him. He seemed very intent on having her and she would not deny her love for him. She did belong to him. Her love for him could very well be everlasting, but did he belong to her?
Vaguely, she recalled some of their conversation before he’d put her in a hack. He’d promised to be faithful. She supposed that meant he was all hers.
“The dark-haired one is mine.” Lorena decided she liked admitting that aloud. Ashwick was hers. All hers.
Mary-Ann’s hope returned to her eyes and she sighed. “You’re a very lucky lady.”
Lady Lorena’s Spinster’s Society ( The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 14
