by Cheryl Holt
“No, and if she said that’s what happened she’s insane.”
He sat back, and an excruciating silence played out to the bitter end. Ultimately, his shoulders slumped. “I was hoping you wouldn’t lie to me, but I should have expected it I guess.”
“I’m not lying, Alex. If she provided a different account, bring her in here immediately and have her accuse me to my face. If she has to confront me directly, we’ll see what sort of tale she spins.”
“Let’s move on to Eugenia.”
“Eugenia? Your wife? Why would we discuss her?”
“I’m confused about how you arranged for Eugenia to cross their path.”
“I didn’t participate in a scheme with Eugenia. I can’t abide her.”
Actually, it had been easy to coerce Eugenia into getting the money back. Camilla was in regular contact with her, leading her on, listening to her complaints about Alex. She was such an enemy to Alex that it had seemed wise to keep an eye on her.
“You didn’t communicate with Eugenia about Miss Henley?”
“No, I didn’t! It sounds as if Miss Henley experienced some difficulties after she fled Wallace Downs, but I have no idea what occurred. Stop blaming me.”
“Fine, Camilla. I’ll stop blaming you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“This is what we’ll do now.”
“What do you mean?”
“You had to have presumed I wouldn’t approve of your mischief, but you figured you could convince me that it was acceptable. That’s been the tenor of our relationship, hasn’t it? Since I first met you, I’ve allowed you to run my life.”
“I’m good at my job too. I’ve always had your best interests at heart.”
“Have you?”
“Yes, and don’t you dare say otherwise.”
He sighed with regret, then announced, “I’ve had your belongings packed.”
“What?”
“I’ve typically welcomed your efforts on my behalf, but you went much too far this time. Especially with the twins. They’re little girls. Why would you hurt them like this? I don’t understand you at all.”
“You never wanted to have custody of them,” she scoffed. “If Miss Henley made off with them, why be upset? Let her have them! In my opinion, they’ve only ever been a burden to us.”
“To…us?” He smiled an eerie smile. “There’s the problem for you, Camilla. They may have been a burden for you, but they were no burden to me in even the slightest way.”
“That’s because I tended them so you didn’t have to.”
“Yes, you jumped to assume the task, didn’t you?”
“For you! So your heavy load would be lighter!”
“And you accomplished it in a slapdash, shoddy manner. I never paid attention to how you treated them, and I’m ashamed of both of us. Here’s what I’ve decided.”
Her pulse was racing, her anxiety spiraling. “Would you slow down for a minute?”
“No. As I mentioned, I packed your things. You will leave my home at once.”
“Don’t be absurd,” she blustered. “We’re a team. We’re a pair. We’re thumbing our noses at the world, remember? We can’t separate.”
“We already have,” he coldly said. “We separated the instant you tricked Miss Henley into departing.”
“I did it for you! To help you! To make you happy!”
“If you thought I would be happy to have you harm Miss Henley or the twins, then you’re deranged. You’ve proved yourself a danger to all of them so you can’t remain with me.”
“Well, then, I’m eager to return to Wallace Downs. I’m weary of the city and would rather be in the country anyway.”
“I’ve sent a message to the manor, and your things will be packed there too and forwarded to your new residence. I’m through with you.”
“You’re not serious, Alex. You can’t be.”
“I’m incredibly serious, Camilla, so tell me your preference. You have a few choices. I will give you six months of severance, and it appears you know the address of the boarding house where Miss Henley was staying. The rent is paid on their room for the rest of June and a portion of July. If you’d like, you may retire there, and I will chip in for an additional five months so it would be six altogether.”
“A boarding house? I’m not a scullery maid whom you can cast off to wallow with the dregs of society. How precisely am I to carry on after I arrive?”
“I don’t care. From this point on, it won’t be any of my business, and you’re not to ever contact me again.”
It was the cruelest comment anyone had ever said to her, and suddenly she was terrified. Was he really splitting with her? Up until that moment, she hadn’t had the least inkling that it was a possibility. All because of a mousey, impertinent governess? Had Camilla meant nothing to him?
“Alex, we have to talk about this. Fetch Miss Henley down. The girls too. I’ll apologize. I’ll make amends. I’ll…I’ll…”
“It’s too late for apologies, Camilla.”
“No, it isn’t.” She leapt up and rounded the desk, falling to her knees in front of him. She clasped his hands in her own. “Alex, we’ve been friends forever, and you’re a tad distressed. You’re not thinking clearly.”
“My mind is very, very clear. Now stand up. You’re embarrassing yourself. And me.”
“If you set me aside, what will become of me?”
“I suppose you could speak to your father and beg him to take you in.”
“My father! He believes I’m a trollop. He’d never let me in the door.”
“I assumed he wouldn’t. It’s why I’m giving you a severance. I want you to have a nest egg to draw on as you search for your next situation.”
“I should be at Wallace Downs with you! I have to plan another house party! I have to prepare the guest list.”
“It’s not happening,” he quietly murmured.
“But…but…I love you,” she insisted.
He scoffed. “Don’t lie, and don’t pretend.”
“I was certain we’d marry someday. I’d be the perfect bride for you. You know it’s true!”
“I’ve always been very blunt about you and me, Camilla. You were never a woman I would wed. Don’t rewrite our history.”
He stared at her with pity in his gaze, and she seethed with rage. “I won’t go! I won’t! You’re being ridiculous.”
Her tone was adamant, and she sounded like a spoiled toddler who’d been denied a candy. She’d expected her aggravated demeanor might spur a better reaction, but he simply said, “I won’t quarrel about it with you.”
Behind her, the door opened, and she glanced over to see Faith glaring at her.
“Your bags are packed, Camilla,” she said, “and there’s a cab waiting in the drive. Will you come?”
Camilla whipped around to Alex. “Alex, please!”
He pulled away from her and stood. She was still on her knees, prostrate before him. She reached up to him, like a beggar, like a supplicant.
He raised her to her feet and urged her out. When she didn’t move, Faith walked over, clutched her arm, and started leading her out. Camilla felt like an automaton, as if she had no control over her limbs and was in a sort of trance.
At the last second, she peeked back to offer a final plea for mercy, but he’d turned away and was seated at his desk again, enjoying his whiskey and looking as if he’d already forgotten her. Had he no qualms? No regrets?
Faith escorted her from the room, and she was so stunned she didn’t protest or struggle.
A burly footman joined Faith, and they half-carried, half-dragged her out. They had to lift her into the carriage—she was too discombobulated to climb in herself. The driver clicked the reins, and the cab lurched away so rapidly she didn’t have time to watch the house vanishing in the distance.
* * * *
“Hello, Eugenia.”
“Wel
l, hello yourself, Alex. It’s been ages since you stopped by.”
Alex gazed around the suite of rooms where she resided with Bertram. They were lounging in chairs by the fire although no fire had been lit. They’d probably forgotten to purchase coal or hadn’t had the money so the place was chilly and damp.
They hadn’t stood to greet him, and they were glaring as if he was a vagrant who had wandered in by mistake. He nearly told Bertram to show some respect for his betters, but Bertram wasn’t worth a quarrel. Alex had come to speak with Eugenia, and he wanted to conclude the meeting as rapidly as he could.
Her lodging wasn’t the fanciest apartment in the city, but the parlors were a good size, and the neighborhood fashionable. Yet it was a pigsty. Alex didn’t pay her bills, but gave her the funds to handle her own affairs.
She didn’t use them productively. She gambled and drank. She bought opium when she could find it, but she didn’t purchase food or employ a cook or hire servants. Or perhaps she hired them, but they left when their wages never arrived.
He didn’t really care how she carried on, but it was always shocking to view her condition. The twins had lived with her for the first few years of their life—until relatives had begged him to intervene.
He’d grudgingly relented, but in the end he hadn’t actually offered much of a rescue. He’d dumped them on Faith without asking her opinion, and because he hadn’t she’d been grouchy about it. Then he’d let Camilla take charge of them, and he hadn’t furnished any oversight.
They’d been horridly neglected, and when he thought about their hard situation as his wards he was incredibly ashamed.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said. “There are several matters we have to address.”
“I am entirely at your service, Alex,” she sarcastically retorted.
Bertram inserted himself into the discussion. “We’ve been planning to write you.”
“On what issue?” Alex wasn’t interested, but was always amused by how Bertram’s mind worked.
“Eugenia was supposed to talk to you,” Bertram complained, “but she can’t ever seem to manage it.”
“Bertram,” Eugenia warned, “stay out of this. I’ll raise the subject when the time is right.”
Her husband ignored her and continued. “We’re struggling on the paltry amount of alimony you provide. Our costs are constantly increasing so she needs more.”
Alex smirked. “Does she?”
“Yes, and don’t put on any airs with me, Wallace. This is my home, and I won’t tolerate any disregard.”
Alex could have mentioned that it was Alex’s property, and Eugenia remained in it with his specific consent. Bertram had never been part of that equation, but Alex couldn’t bestir himself to bicker over it.
Instead, he said, “Get out of here, Bertram. I have to confer with my ex-wife, and I intend a very frank conversation. Depending on her replies, I may have her arrested.”
“Arrested!” Eugenia huffed. “Don’t be absurd.”
“I can have you arrested too, Bertram,” he boasted. “Would you like that? Would you like to tarry and defend her to me?”
Bertram studied Alex, studied Eugenia, then he pushed himself to his feet and headed for the door. He was a coward, and Alex had predicted he’d slink out the instant he learned there might be consequences.
“Bertram!” Eugenia snapped. “You can’t leave me alone with him.”
“I’ll be back later, Eugenia,” he groused. “I don’t care for the company you keep.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Alex muttered.
“Bloody sod,” Bertram grumbled as he stomped out.
Eugenia frowned at Alex, trying to cow or coerce him into a better mood. When she realized she couldn’t, she reached for a decanter on a nearby table to pour herself a glass of liquor.
There were many things he couldn’t abide about her: her promiscuity, her addiction to opium, her wild swings of temperament, her slothful habits. But her drinking set his teeth on edge.
He grabbed the decanter and yanked it away. “I have no idea how much you’ve already had, but I’m sure it’s more than enough.”
“Give that to me,” she griped. “You’re not my father or my husband. You have no right to boss me.”
“No, I don’t, but I require your undivided attention.”
“You have it, you have it.”
“Tell me about your scheming with Camilla.”
“What about it?” At least she wouldn’t lie as Camilla had.
“Why did she contact you last week?”
“She’s always contacted me. We correspond regularly.”
If she’d suddenly bragged that she could fly to the moon, he couldn’t have been more astonished. “You and Camilla correspond?”
“Yes. We’ve become great chums.”
“What topics have you discussed?”
“You and your temper and your foul tendencies. What would you suppose?”
He couldn’t guess why Camilla would have pursued the relationship. She had to have known he wouldn’t like it. Yet she’d frequently engaged in mischief on his behalf, and here was more of it.
“What did she ask you to do to Miss Henley?”
“Camilla had loaned her some money, and she had me retrieve it for her.”
Eugenia wasn’t altruistic and would never act without compensation. “Were you offered a reward?”
“Of course.”
“What was it?”
“Some of the money, you dolt.”
“Your behavior imperiled the twins. Are you aware of that?”
She made a dismissive gesture. “They weren’t imperiled, Alex. You’re always so dramatic.”
“No, they were gravely imperiled, and I’ve decided I can’t let you be around them in the future.”
“Well, you never let me now so how is that a problem?”
“You snuck to Wallace Downs and met with them without my permission.”
“I’m their mother, Alex. You can’t separate us forever.”
“What was the true reason you stopped by that day? You scared them by claiming they would be coming to live with you.”
“Why shouldn’t they? You’ve had custody for years, and when I consider how you and Camilla have mistreated them I’m not about to shower you with any medals.”
She likely figured—if she could regain custody—he’d have to increase her alimony payments. Bertram was probably pressuring her into it, and Alex could think of no worse ending than to have the twins forced to reside with Bertram Pennywhistle.
“Here’s how we’ll proceed, Eugenia,” he told her.
“If you don’t want me to visit them again, just say so.”
“No, your staying away won’t fix this. You never keep your promises so this is the resolution I’ve devised. Friday morning, you and Bertram are leaving England.”
She scowled. “To go where?”
“To America. You’re sailing to Boston.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I have no desire to move out of London, and I most especially have no desire to travel to America.”
“It’s not up to you, Eugenia. I intend—from this point on—there will be an entire ocean between you and your daughters.”
“I won’t obey you,” she insisted. “You can’t make me. As I constantly remind you, you are not my husband—and that was by your own choice. You have some gall to tell me anything.”
“I will be back on Friday morning to close up the apartment. If you and Bertram aren’t prepared to depart as I’ve arranged, I will bring the authorities and have charges pressed for your stealing from Miss Henley. There are numerous witnesses who will testify against you so I have no doubt you’ll be found guilty.”
“It was Camilla’s idea!” she protested.
“Camilla will swear it wasn’t, that it was all your own plan.” It was a small lie, but an effective one.
“That witch!
I never should have trusted her.” She glowered at Alex, then she laughed in a cruel way. “I’m calling your bluff, Alex. Drag the law into it. Be my guest. I’m betting you never will. We both know all the shame would attach to you. Not me. You wouldn’t want more horrid rumors to spread about your ex-wife.”
“Why would I care if more of your scandals circulate? Theft is a hanging offense, Eugenia. Or maybe—because you’re a woman—they’ll simply transport you to the penal colonies in Australia. But you should understand that I, personally, will testify at your sentencing and ask for the penalty to be hanging.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“I would.” It was another effective lie, and she pondered, then swallowed it.
“There were extenuating circumstances,” she claimed.
“What circumstances?”
“I’m divorced, and you don’t give me enough money to live on. I have to struggle so hard just to get by.”
“Everyone struggles to get by.”
“Not you! You’re rich.”
“Yes, and you were too when you were my wife, but you threw it all away with your reckless antics. I don’t feel sorry for you.”
“If I have to leave”—she appeared very sly—“I demand the twins accompany me.”
He scoffed with disgust. “You’re deranged. I will never let you have them, and it’s my explicit goal that they will never suffer your unpleasant presence ever again.”
“You can’t keep a mother from her children.”
“Yes, I can.”
The quarrel sputtered to an end, and she squirmed and fidgeted. Ultimately, she said, “Will you provide funds to cover our expenses on the journey? And will you supply extra so we can situate ourselves once we arrive?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Not nearly as much as you’re hoping.” He spun and went to the door. “If you decide to be sensible and oblige me, your ship sails with the tide, Friday around two o’clock. I’ll have the tickets and a carriage ready to take you to the docks.”
“If I refuse to heed you, what then? You think you’re so smart, but Bertram is very brave and very smart too. He might have some staunch opinions about all of this.”
