Scandalous Scoundrels

by Aileen Fish

  “My apologies, James.” Eric addressed her brother. “I found her shortly after you sent me but it seems she overdid it on the dance floor and was not feeling well. I sat with her for a time until she the crowd thinned out and we could make our way here.”

  James continued to glower at this explanation but said nothing else.

  “Perhaps we should take you home, if you feel you have overdone it.” James’s eyes pierced into her.

  “Probably a good idea,” Eric said, turning toward Lily. “It was wonderful to see you again.” He nodded at the rest of the party and then turned and left. Lily felt a stab of disappointment. After what they had just shared, she had expected a different goodbye. It was unrealistic to think he might propose on the spot but she had hoped he would have asked her brother for an audience at least.

  James turned to her. “Mr. Sampson is a business associate and I expect you to remain cordial but he will not be a suitor. There are rumors about him and I don’t want you associating with him more than is necessary.”

  Chapter 6

  Lily woke the next morning with a knot in her stomach. She wondered if Eric would come to call today. Her brow furrowed. What would James do if he did? If a marriage proposal came from Eric would James accept it despite his reservations?

  She stretched and then jumped out of bed eager to start the day. That was the only way these questions would be answered. She dressed and then headed down to breakfast. She was the first to arrive and poured herself some tea and grabbed a biscuit as she sat to wait.

  James and Elise joined her shortly after, followed by Tom. The four sat and chatted about the goings on in Kennebunk and Tom’s wedding, now only a few weeks away. Lily found herself drifting from the conversation and thinking of Eric and the ball the night before.

  Amelia and Aunt Clarisse entered the breakfast room and sat down.

  “Lily, I would like to speak with you this morning,” James called down the table.

  “Of course, what about?” Lily was still only half paying attention. She was day dreaming about her first kiss the evening before.

  “Your marriage prospects,” James stated matter-of-factly as if that explained the matter.

  Lily’s attention focused fully on her brother. “What about them?”

  “We should discuss this later,” James said as he stood to go.

  Lily felt sharp annoyance prickle along her skin. She stood as well. “We’ve started now.”

  James sighed, “I have asked Mark to consider your hand in marriage.”

  The table erupted. Amelia gasped and shot to her feet. Aunt Clarissa dropped her tea cup. Elise yelled out “James!” Only Tom and Lily remained silent.

  “Why would you do that?” Lily felt her fists clench at her sides.

  “We are running out of time. He is a good man. We…” James began but Lily interrupted.

  “I thought we agreed that I would have some measure of time to find a spouse of my choosing, like you and Tom.” Lily’s voice rose with every word.

  “We can’t afford to wait any longer, Lily.” James’s face barely moved a muscle.

  “I won’t do it. You promised me this season.” Her spine straightened.

  “You will if I say you will!” James’s anger was rising to meet Lily’s.

  “You will have to drag me!” Lily slammed a cup on the table, sloshing tea all over the place.

  “If Mark agrees then you will do it and I won’t hear another word.” James started to leave the room but Amelia jumped up and grabbed his arm.

  “He hasn’t agreed yet?” Amelia barred James’s path.

  He gently moved her aside. “It’s a formality. He knows how important this is to our family.” With that he left the room.

  Lily tossed herself back in her chair, sure that Eric would come today and propose. Mark would never have to answer and she could marry the man she wanted.

  ***

  The week passed and Eric did not come. The first three days, Lily waited, sure he would arrive. The next two days she cried, when no one was looking. By the sixth day she was angry. So angry, in fact, that she did not even notice Mark had still not answered her brother’s request.

  Lily dressed for the theater carefully. She wore an organza silk pale blue gown. Her hair cascaded down her back, loosely pulled back. She had one beautiful diamond necklace given to her by her mother that she wore with the dress. The stone sparkled against her bare skin and drew attention to the cleavage just below it. She felt reckless this evening and it showed in the way she stood in front of the mirror. She had done as her family had asked her all of her life because she loved them and it was her duty. She would do as was required of her now, but a little rebellion never hurt anyone. Tonight, she did not feel like following the rules.

  As she came down the stairs the eyes of her entire family turned toward her. She held her back stiff and straight but her usual smile was not on her lips.

  “Lillian, you look stunning.” James stepped forward. “Mother’s necklace is perfect with that dress. You look…just like her.” James stared in disbelief.

  “I will be right back,” Elise said as she hurried back up the stairs.

  Lily leaned in and whispered into James’s ear. “What do you think mother would think of this marriage you are arranging for me?” The question was meant to sting and it had its desired effect. Their mother had been engaged to another man when she ran away to marry her father. They had loved each other passionately and her mother had been daring enough to go out and get what she wanted.

  Amelia stepped up and took her arm, walking her toward the door. “Don’t worry Lily. I am sure this is going to work out.” Amelia sounded worried too and Lily wondered which of them Amelia was actually comforting.

  Lily touched the necklace around her neck. Wearing it brought her mother closer to her.

  Elise came back down the stairs. “Lily, wait.” Elise hurried across the foyer. “Wear these too. In fact, keep them. The set should never have been broken up.” Elise held out her hand and dropped onto Lily’s palm the earrings that made a set with the necklace. They were gorgeous stones and even in her hand, they sparkled.

  “I couldn’t,” Lily began.

  “They should be yours. Take them.” Elise picked one up and clipped it onto Lily’s ear then the other. She leaned over and said, “You have a great deal of power, you just have to find it.”

  Lily sat in the carriage and pondered Elise’s words. Perhaps if she asserted herself more, she would not be in this mess. She thought of Eric. She just assumed he would court her, she hadn’t done a thing to actively pursue him. And Mark. She hadn’t told him of her wish not to marry him. She had sat like stone waiting for him to accept or reject her. She didn’t remember always being this way. She used to go chasing after her brothers constantly. What had happened to her?

  The cool night air felt amazing on Lily’s skin and she stopped to take a breath before she stepped into the Allston Hall Theater. Tremont Street was abuzz with carriages and people, despite the later hour. Lily took one more breath, determined to draw life from the scene around her. Elise walked up beside her.

  “I don’t know what has changed but men are looking at you like they are bees and you’re the honey. If you keep this up, you may have another marriage proposal by the end of the night.” Lily started to laugh then looked at Elise. Now there was an idea. She smiled at a passing gentleman. He smiled back and, paying no attention to where he was going, ran into a potted plant.

  The group made their way to box seats reserved for them. Danielle’s parents had been kind enough to invite them along and as Lily sat down she began to feel excited about the show ahead. She loved the theater, especially opera. The party in the next box entered and she looked up to smile at its occupants.

  The smile froze on her face when she saw Eric accompanied by a tall red-haired woman. For a moment, she could almost swear that it was Caitlin. Her spine stiffened. Of course it wasn’t her, but the resemblance
was remarkable and Lily felt a stab of jealousy similar to the first time she met Eric. Her lips set in a harder line. She couldn’t control the fact that she felt jealousy but she could control her reaction. She was not going to run and hide nor was she going to simply smile at Eric and pretend she didn’t feel anything. He had kissed her, to her that meant something.

  James stood from his seat to shake hands with Eric and the family followed suit. Lily rose and moved toward the couple.

  “Miss Carter, it is wonderful to see you again.” Eric’s eyes bore into her, taking in every detail. “This is Mrs. Kathryn DeMarco, Caitlin’s sister.”

  No wonder she bore such a resemblance to Caitlin. Lily nodded at the other woman. Relief swept through her but it did not change the fact that Eric had never come to call. “How do you do, Mrs. DeMarco.”

  “Very well, thank you Miss Carter. I must say those are exquisite diamonds.” Lily touched the stone around her neck.

  “Thank you.” She started to turn away but Kathryn caught her arm.

  “You must tell me how you know Eric. My brother–in-law is so tight-lipped.”

  “Actually, I met Caitlin and Eric several years ago when my family traveled to Boston. My brother James and Mr. Sampson are business associates.” Lily drew herself up.

  “Please, there has to be more to it than that. Toby speaks of you reverently and has mentioned something about a great rescue. I am sure the two of you are more acquainted than you are letting on.”

  Lily looked at the woman standing before her. At one time she might have been intimidated by her but today she was not. “Mrs. DeMarco, are you saying that you don’t believe me?”

  “Of course not, but Toby...” Kathryn began.

  “I am sure Toby would be happy to tell you the story.” Lily returned to her seat. She had the distinct impression that Kathryn was trying to needle information out of her. She saw Eric look down, a satisfied smile on his face.

  Elise nudged Lily in the shoulder. Lily turned to her beloved sister-in-law, annoyed by the interruption.

  “What is it? Lily asked.

  Elise only laughed. “It’s you. You look absolutely stunning sitting there and Mr. Sampson has not been able to take his eyes off of you.” Elise exclaimed.

  Lily glanced over to see Eric staring at her again. She simultaneously blushed and felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Something in her responded to him.

  “What do you know about Kathryn?” Lily asked Elise.

  “Kathryn is married to Mr. Henri DeMarco, a wealthy French aristocrat now in his late sixties, I believe. Rumor has it that his health is failing, but Mrs. DeMarco seems to spend a great deal of time abroad. It is also mentioned that she is unfaithful to her husband, frequently.” Elise, who didn’t enjoy the theater nearly as much as Lily, was happy to gossip.

  “Why do you think she and Eric are together?” Lily couldn’t help asking, even though it revealed her jealousy.

  “Toby is her nephew.” Elise shrugged. Lily nodded, it made sense.

  The first act ended and everyone headed back out to the lobby to stretch their legs. Lily felt alive as she walked next to Tom and Danielle, the music had filled her heart. It helped a little that she had relieved some of her jealousy toward Kathryn DeMarco. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Lily found Kathryn directly next to her.

  “I am sorry to jump out at you but I was hoping for a word.” Kathryn pulled her out of the crowd. “I didn’t mean to pry earlier. I hope I didn’t offend you.”

  Lily muttered a noncommittal answer as she waited for the woman to get to the point.

  Kathryn continued undaunted. “It is just that it is clear that you and Eric have some sort of relationship...”

  Lily interrupted her. “What makes you say that?”

  “Dear, he barely looked away from you through the entire first act.” Lily felt herself blush at Kathryn’s words. “Anyway, I wouldn’t feel right if I did not explain to you what happened between Eric and my sister.”

  Lily shifted uncomfortably, she was not sure she wanted to hear what Kathryn had to say. “You needn’t explain anything, Eric and I are simply acquaintances. Thank you though, for your concern.” Lily turned to leave.

  “Wait, I know you say that but I can see the way he looks at you, it is the same way he looked at Caitlin.”

  Lily paused, turning back to the woman.

  Kathryn took this as her opportunity to share the information she had wanted to give. “They were happy at first but when the baby came…Caitlin tried to make it work.” Kathryn sighed dramatically. “But once she became pregnant, the infidelity started. It broke her heart. Finally, she confronted him and they had a huge fight. We think they had an altercation, there were a number of unexplained bruises on her body. She fled the house and that was when she had the accident.” Kathryn paused, staring at Lily.

  “It may almost be better this way. I don’t know how she would have continued in the relationship. Please, don’t make the same mistake my sister did.” Kathryn sighed heavily, almost theatrically.

  Lily stared at Kathryn unable to process what she had just heard. She felt like she had stepped into the plot of an opera herself. Unable to hear anymore she muttered, “I have to go…” She hurried blindly from the lobby down a long hall. It was one thing to hear idle rumors from Isabelle and her friends but quite another to hear this story directly from Caitlin’s sister.

  She did not look back and once the corridor turned so she could not see the lobby she began trying doors. She just needed a few minutes to compose herself. She could hardly believe what Kathryn had told her. Could there be any truth to it? She did not know a reason that Kathryn would lie. But she also couldn’t see Eric doing the things Kathryn accused him of.

  Relief flooded her as a door finally pushed open. She rushed into a dressing room and closed the door behind her grateful for the respite. It took a few moments for her to register a man and a woman locked in an embrace in the center of the room.

  “Oh, I am so sorry, excuse me,” she stuttered as she tried to find the doorknob again to leave.

  The man turned slightly toward her and in an instant she recognized Mark.

  Unable to speak, she turned to grab the doorknob, yanking it open. Clearly she heard Amelia’s voice say, “Lily, wait!”

  Another wave of shock ran through her as she turned back to see Mark and her cousin standing together.

  She stood speechless, or perhaps her words just crowded her mouth and couldn’t get out. She knew she should feel betrayed by Mark. But somehow, all she could feel was relief.

  “Lily, I am sorry.” Amelia rushed forward, seizing her hands. “I would never do anything to hurt you. It’s just that, well, we fell in love. I know it is crazy and sudden but as soon as I met him, I just knew. I tried to stay away but…” Amelia’s words trailed off.

  Mark stepped forward. He started to speak, then stopped, seemingly unsure of what to say.

  She reached up and once again this evening touched her mother’s necklace. She felt as though her mother was there watching over her. She reached out her hands to the two of them. With a sigh and a small smile she spoke. “James is going to be so disappointed.”

  Amelia paused for a moment and then an enormous smile broke over her face. She hugged her cousin as hard as she could and then stepped back to Mark. Relief clearly showed on his face as well but he hesitated.

  “Lily, I’m sorry…” he started but she waved her hand. “What am I going to tell James?”

  “We’ll talk to him together tomorrow,” Lily replied. “But now we should be getting back or James will be worried.”

  The three of them left the room, hurrying back toward their seats. In the hallway a man stepped from the shadows with a look of satisfaction on his face.

  As they entered the box, Lily was immediately reminded of why she had been seeking refuge in the first place.

  Kathryn looked over at her as she entered but quickly looked away. Lily
sat down, no longer paying attention to the opera unfolding in front of her, she was too caught up in her own drama. Kathryn had made some serious accusations about Eric. That his womanizing had driven Caitlin to her death seemed farfetched for the man who was such a dedicated father. But she had to admit, there was an inkling of doubt as well. Why would he kiss her and not so much as write her a note or come calling? Perhaps she was just like those other woman in his life, a mere diversion. Well she was not going to be played the fool anymore! She knew she had to find a husband, but he was clearly not the man.

  She snuck a peak at him. He was sitting watching the opera, looking more handsome than ever in his evening attire. Even sitting down, he looked muscular and virile. A lock of hair had fallen across his forehead and she wanted to reach out and push it back. She would not, she told herself, think these thoughts. She turned back to the opera, determined to pay attention.

  As the show ended, the small group began shuffling out of the box. Lily said goodnight to the Handlers, promising to meet at their home first thing Monday morning to continue wedding preparations. This weekend, she and Elise were finishing some embroidery on Danielle’s dress.

  As she filed down the crowded corridor, she could see Eric and Kathryn making their way through the crowd just in front of her. She pushed through the crowd until she was just behind them.

  “Are you going to marry that girl? Lily was it?” Kathryn voice held a tinge of hostility.

  Eric looked over at his sister-in-law, his face pinched. “Much as I would like to, I cannot untangle myself from your sister.”

  Lily choked on his words. She now knew why he hadn’t come to call. Tears stung her eyes but she willed herself not to cry. His answer was definitive. He was not going to marry her. He still loved his first wife and there was no room in his heart for her.

  Chapter 7

  The next evening Lily dressed for Senator Winthrop’s ball. She chose her clothing carefully. She almost wore her diamonds again but decided against it since she had just worn them the night before. She picked a more understated sapphire, again from her mother. At every other event she had been announced with her family or with Mark. Tonight she was being announced alone. She was making a statement.