Mara: A Georgian Romance
Page 16
Chapter 28
Evelyn Markham sat in the plush den of the Duke of Cleveland’s home, slowly swirling the amber liquid of a brandy around in the snifter.
The duke dismissed the butler after the drinks were poured, and looked over his own glass at Markham.
“Well now, what’s on your mind, today, Evelyn? I liked the last deal we made, as it turned out quite profitably for me. How did you know that land would double in price?”
“Adair, that is my secret. It is how I stay in business, and continue to line your and my pockets with gold.”
The duke laughed. “I would never dare take away any secrets from you that continue to fill my coffers. Lead on, my dear man. Lead on!” He raised his glass. “So what is the new venture? More land, development, purchase of a factory?”
“Nothing so commonplace this time around. This is more a deal of, shall we say, the heart?”
“Oh?”
“I understand you have been searching for the elusive Madame Butterfly.”
The duke looked sideways at Lord Markham. “Yes…”
“Tell me, Adair. What is finding Madame Butterfly worth to you?”
The duke put his glass down and leaned forward. Evelyn had his full attention now.
“What do you mean, worth?”
“I mean, in terms of time, money, prestige—what is she worth to you?”
The duke straightened his back, took a deep breath, and let it out again before rising up and wandering over to the window. Christmas was right around the corner, and the weather threatened snow. “Worth. Hmmmm. Interesting question. What is a son worth to a father? What is a title worth to an heir? What is beauty worth? Can you put a price on that?”
“Yes. You can put a price on anything. Maybe not monetary worth, but there is emotional worth, physical worth, spiritual worth.” Markham paused, letting his words sink in. “So what is she worth? What would you trade if I could deliver her to you?”
“Can you?” The words were out of his mouth like a shot.
“It depends on the business deal we make.”
The duke came back to the chair and sat down again. “I am an aging man without a male heir, Evelyn. You may not have the title, but you have the sons.” He picked up his glass of brandy and took a swig. “I was completely intrigued and smitten by the young lady. I need a wife, a young wife, a woman who can bear me an heir. And I have chosen the Butterfly. I would do almost anything to have her.”
“Ahhh. A duchess is what you need. Her worth is great then. A title, a son who would be heir to the duchy.” Markham smiled the smile he gave when he knew he was about to close a deal.
“I will deliver her, only if you agree to the following terms. You will publicly announce your engagement and make her the Duchess of Cleveland as soon as possible. You will not receive a dowry. You will pay for the wedding in its entirety. And you will extend your vast influence to her two brothers to help find proper and wealthy wives for them among the titled peerage. And, of course, you and I will continue in our profitable ventures together.”
“That is quite a proposal. Marrying her will cost me a pretty penny, but I suppose she is worth it.” He looked at Markham through slit eyes. “How do I know you will deliver the real Butterfly to me?”
“Because of this.” Markham pulled out the flat box he had been carrying when he arrived. “Open it.”
The duke took the box and opened the lid. Laying there was the dress he remembered the Butterfly wearing the night of the Masque. He pulled the fabric to his face, and drank deeply of the smell of her perfume. “You can deliver her! Who is she?”
Markham put out his hand toward the duke. “Do we have a deal?” Cleveland grabbed Markham’s hand, and shook it vigorously.
“Yes, we have an accord. I immediately announce our engagement, make her the duchess as soon as possible, pay for the wedding, and find two bachelors rich wives among the titled peerage. I have it. Who is she?”
“Mara Markham. My daughter.”
The duke knocked back his head and laughed from deep within.
“You sly dog, you! I should have known. You drive a very hard bargain. But you have a deal, my man. You have a deal.”
“Merry Christmas, Cleveland!”
“Merry Christmas indeed, Evelyn. Merry Christmas indeed!”
The two men shook hands again, and celebrated the sale of Mara with a brandy.
Chapter 29
The next morning, Lady Maureen was atwitter, her turmoil caused by the upcoming visit of the Duke of Cleveland that evening with an important announcement for the family. The staff was incredibly curious but had little time to gossip about the event, as Lady Maureen kept them very busy preparing for the night’s festivities.
Edwin and Bertram were home for the holidays, so it would be the entire family plus the duke for dinner. Lord Markham had told his wife the reason for the visit, and Lady Maureen was giddy with joy. Mara didn’t realize what a brilliant investment her Madame Butterfly costume had turned out to be!
Lady Maureen had a hard time keeping the secret. She could barely wait until dinner. In her wildest dreams she never thought her once fat, ugly daughter would grow up to be an exquisite swan and land the biggest title in the country next to royalty. It was incredible—unbelievable! This would greatly elevate Lady Maureen’s own status; her social engagements would double and triple, as she’d be invited to the biggest events in London.
Mara inwardly moaned when she learned about the dinner guest. That aging fop in her house! Gads. What next? She just hoped she wouldn’t have to sit next to him. The thought of him touching her all night long made her skin crawl. Long sleeves would definitely be in order!
She had told Cecilia about her night at the Masque, and how this man physically repulsed her. So the two of them went through her wardrobe to find the thickest evening gown she owned to protect her from his pawing. They settled on a heavy silver brocade with lace high on the bodice and around the wrists. It was absolutely lovely in its design, and would cover her from neck to toe.
“Dear, God,” she rolled her eyes at Cecilia, “just let me make it until dessert when I can make my excuses and run. Sometimes I wish I were the ladies’ maid!”
“Now, Miss Mara. It is only dinner, and he can’t be that bad.”
“Oh, yes he can!” They both giggled as Cecilia helped her dress and fixed her hair, pulling it back from her face with combs on the sides, allowing it to cascade down her back. A simple hairdo would be fine for the evening, since dinner would be in the family dining room.
Mara sat in the parlor with her mother to await the arrival of their guest. Her mother kept smiling and winking at her. Mara wondered if her mother had started early with the wine.
She sat there with her arms crossed, listening to her brothers talk about school, their chums, and sports. She did what she always did—let her mind drift to pleasant thoughts of Jake.
Her brothers had come home from school to face the shock of their lives when presented with their sister’s new looks. Edwin had spent many a night dreaming of having Madame Butterfly for himself, and couldn’t get over the fact that the object of his lustful dreams had been his own sister. He now sat in a chair with a drink in his hands, staring at his sister’s profile in awe. Bertram’s comment had simply been “about time you lost all that fat!”
Mara and Edwin were brought out of their separate reveries by the sound of horses’ hooves in the drive. The duke had arrived. Mara sighed. The dreaded evening began.
Immediately upon entering the house, the duke came to Mara’s side and took her hand in his. He gave her knowing glances, taking more liberties than she thought were proper on this, their first meeting. She had no reason to believe he knew she was Madame Butterfly, so his possessive behavior confused her.
The duke sat next to her at dinner, and put his hand on hers often. Mara had at least been looking forward to the delicious roast beef dinner, but he was even ruining that! She tried not to look at hi
m, moved her hands so he couldn’t touch them, answered his questions in a monotone with few words, and tried to act absolutely disinterested, for she was. Why did he acting all cozy when she did everything she could to rebuff his advances?
Besides, he was older than her father! What was he thinking?
Her mother watched her constantly, as did her father. Didn’t they see this old coot repelled her? She turned her back on the duke most of the meal looking at the wall on the opposite side of the room. The meal quickly become intolerable! It took everything she had not to stab him with her fork.
As soon as the dessert dishes were carried away, Mara stood up. “If you would all excuse me, please, I am very tired, have a headache, and would like to retire for the evening. Father, Mother, Your Grace, good night.”
Before she moved an inch, her father replied sharply.
“You are not excused, young lady. Sit back down.”
She sat. As she sat, she turned her body away from the duke, putting her hands to the opposite side of her lap. Gads. More torture. Please dear, God, release me from this dinner! she thought.
This time the duke stood up, his wine glass in hand. “I would like to thank you all for a delightful evening, and a wonderful meal. Your cook is marvelous, my dear Maureen, simply marvelous.” Lady Maureen simpered.
“But as wonderful as dinner was, it is not as wonderful as the rest of the evening will be!”
Edwin and Bertram nearly burst into laughter at this pompous announcement. Lady and Lord Markham leaned forward in anticipation. Mara turned further away from the duke and rolled her eyes, causing her brothers even more amusement.
The duke turned to Mara. “I would like to make a toast to the most beautiful woman in England, the woman who will become the Duchess of Cleveland.” He paused dramatically. “Lord and Lady Markham have consented to give me the hand of the lovely Madame Butterfly in marriage, my most beautiful Mara.”
Mara fell out of her chair in a dead faint.
*****
She awoke in the parlor on the divan, her mother pressing smelling salts under her nose. She looked around in confusion, until her eyes came to the Duke of Cleveland.
Mara popped up off the divan, nearly knocking over her mother, and screamed at the top of her lungs, “NO, I WON’T DO IT AND YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!” With that, she ran from the room and up to her bedroom, slammed the door, locked it, and then slid down onto the floor in a heap, sobbing uncontrollably.
Nothing had prepared her for what her parents and the duke had planned. She never saw it coming. The shock made her stomach convulse. She stood up from the floor and ran to the chamber pot just in time to lose her dinner.
Mara heaved and sobbed, sobbed and heaved, until she could heave no more. She sank once again to the floor in a heap. She wanted to die. Nothing could feel as bad as this. Her entire being was awash with fear and pain, hatred and dread. She desperately needed Jake’s arms around her.
Cecilia heard the news from Gigi, who had been in the dining room when the announcement was made. She now stood at Mara’s door listening to the sounds of her misery. The girl’s sobs wrenched the maid’s heart.
She knocked gently. “Miss Mara, dear, please open the door.”
“Go away!”
Lady Maureen joined Cecilia at the door.
“My dear, please open the door.”
“How could you do this to me? Go away! I hate you! I want to die!”
“Now dear, please stop being so dramatic. Just unlock the door, and we will calmly discuss this.”
“I am not calm! I will not marry that horrid man! Leave me alone!”
Lady Maureen looked at Cecilia. “Is there a way to open this door?”
Cecilia immediately thought of Alvin’s skill at picking locks. That had been years ago, but maybe he could still do it.
“I’ll be right back.”
Cecilia ran all the way to the stables to find Alvin. He and Basil were in Jake and Calvin’s room, playing cards. There was a little pile of money in the middle of the table, and it looked like Alvin was raking it in. Jake scowled. He was losing badly.
All looked up as Cecilia came bursting in. “You will never believe what happened. We need to break into Mara’s room. I am afraid she’s gonna hurt herself.”
Jake stood up so fast he almost toppled the table. “What happened?”
Cecilia paused to catch her breath. “Lord Markham has promised Mara’s hand in marriage to the Duke of Cleveland, and she’s locked herself in her room. She’s so upset she says she wants to die!”
Jake froze, mortified.
“Alvin,” Cecilia continued, “can you pick her lock?”
“Absolutely. Let me go find my tool, and I will be right up.”
Cecilia left to return to the house, and Alvin followed soon after.
The blood left Jake’s head, the room began to spin, and if it hadn’t been for Basil and Calvin, he’d have hit the floor.
“Put you head between your knees, boy!”
“Here…drink this.”
Jake took the mead, and drank the half pint in one gulp. He started to hyperventilate. Basil pushed the young man’s head back between his legs.
“Breathe slowly, Jake. Your gonna make yourself pass out.”
Jake’s equilibrium slowly returned, and he looked up. “They can’t make her marry someone she doesn’t want to, can they? Especially him. He’s older than her father!”
“Yes, unfortunately they can.”
“I gotta go see her.” He stood up.
“You ain’t gotta do any such thing!” Basil pushed him back down. “She is out of your league, out of your ‘ands, out of your class. We know you love her, but she is not yours to have!”
Jake collapsed on his cot, put his head in his hands, and let the tears come. He had dreaded this moment for years.
All Basil and Calvin could do was sit and watch the young man’s heart break into a thousand pieces.
*****
Alvin had Mara’s door open in two minutes. He was out of practice, after all.
Lady Maureen watched in amazement.
“It’s how they retrieved the ledger from Percy Snellings’ apartment,” Cecilia explained.
Lady Maureen simply nodded her head.
As soon as the door swung open, they all rushed in to find Mara lying on the floor curled up in a silver brocade ball gown, still sobbing. Having accomplished his task, Alvin left, closing the door behind him. His heart broke for Mara and Jake. Real love didn’t come along very often, and theirs was an eternal love. But it would never survive their circumstances, and they were powerless to do anything about it.
He returned to Jake and Calvin’s room to find a crying Jake and a solemn Basil and Calvin. All he could do was sit on the cot next to his best friend and put his arm around him in a show of support.
*****
Cecilia and Lady Maureen attended to Mara as best they could with her still ranting and raving and saying hateful things about her parents, the duke, her life, and the peerage. Her mother was quite appalled at the profanities her daughter uttered; it was the influence of Jacob and Alvin, she was sure.
They were finally able to remove her dress and put the poor girl in a nightgown before tucking her into bed. The two women could do nothing more. Cecilia said she’d sit vigil for a couple of hours to make sure the girl didn’t do anything foolish.
*****
At midnight, everyone in the house slept except for a tall, lean figure silently creeping up the stairs.
The figure stopped at the door of Mara’s bedroom and silently turned the knob. Once in the room, he closed the door and made his way toward the bed.
“Jake! What are you doing here?” The whispered voice nearly sent him out of his skin.
“Shhhhh! I had to see her to make sure she’s all right.”
Cecilia stood up from the reading chair and grabbed Jake by the arm. “Are you crazy? If Markham finds you in here, he will kill you!”
Cecilia softened. Still whispering, she took his hands in hers. “Look Jake. We all know you love her dearly. It is as clear as the nose on your face, but you have to realize she is not yours to have. You have to let her go.”
Tears welled up in his eyes. He thought he’d cried it all out, but the tears flowed freely once again.
Cecilia gently guided him to the door and let him out. “Let her go,” she repeated, and closed and locked the door.
Jake looked back at the closed door in the darkness. Never, he thought. Never will I let her go. She is the reason I breathe. She is the beat of my heart, the blood in my veins, and the heat in my soul. Without her, I am nothing. I can never let her go.
Chapter 30
They were all in the stables pacing around except Mara, who sat on one of the tack boxes, beautiful in her green cape with fur collar and matching fur hat and muff. The green of the cape usually brought out the vibrant green of her eyes, but today those eyes were dull and lifeless.
What would she do? That horrid Duke of Cleveland was bound and determined to have her, and she was beside herself. The thought of him kissing her made her shudder and want to wretch. Every time his image crossed her mind, bile rose up in her throat, and she had to fight to push it back down.
Jake had been thinking out loud, muttering to himself as he wandered around the interior of the carriage house.
“There has to be a way out of this madness.” He stopped pacing, and turned to them “We could kill the duke!”
“Like that‘s gonna solve anything! Then we’d all be in prison with the rats, and how’s that to help Miss Mara? You wanna leave her completely alone in the ‘ands of her family? That would certainly do it!” Alvin wasn’t sure he liked the direction Jake’s thoughts were taking them. Except for picking a couple of locks, he hadn’t committed a crime since meeting Mara over seven years ago, and starting down the criminal path again didn’t appeal to him very much. “What we need to do is escape. Get the hell outa here. Take her away to a safe house. Find a place to ‘ide her.”