Seductive Lies

by Colleen Connally

  His cool calm showed nothing contrite in his expression.

  She shrugged. “Pray, spare me. There is nothing sincere in your voice. Do not waste your breath. I am no fool. You have come for a reason. Please state it and leave.”

  “Fair enough.” He paused and looked around the room. “Pleasant. It suits your personality. I see Arthur has gone to great pains to see to your comfort. I had to have him followed to even discover this place. Close proximity to London. Yet, Arthur has been absent from most of the activities this Season.”

  Exasperation wore on her nerves. “Get to your point.”

  He squared his shoulders and looked directly at her. “You have been the talk of the Season, Miss Burke. I should say Arthur’s mistress. Of course, no one else suspects at this time it is you. Arthur has seen to that by keeping you here.”

  “Get out!” Harriet stood. “Leave this minute.”

  “Gladly. I only wanted you to know that you have your revenge. My cousin is suffering, knowing that Arthur has put his mistress’ needs over hers. Because of the scandal, she has become the brunt of many a joke to the ton.”

  Harriet tensed. “Why would your cousin concern herself with Arthur’s actions? You must know that when Arthur and I marry…”

  “Marry? You and Arthur?” Carlisle laughed, a harsh, cynical laugh that echoed in the small room. “You are delusional if you ever think Arthur would be freed from Sophia.”

  “Freed from Sophia? I do not understand…” Harriet’s voice faded as comprehension of his words sank deep into her soul. Her legs collapsed and she fell back onto the settee. “No… no… I don’t believe you. We are to be married…”

  Carlisle didn’t waste any more words. Withdrawing a paper from his coat, he slung it down beside her and walked out of the room.

  Trepidation filled Harriet. With trembling hands, she picked up the scandal sheet. The paper had been folded to highlight one snippet.

  Recent stories have highlighted the sad state of affairs of newlywed Lady Sophia Hammett has found herself. Married less than a year, her time is nearing and no husband in sight. With the Season coming to an end, I have heard Lady Daneford has refused to leave London without her errant husband. Lord Daneford has been in seclusion for most of the Season’s activities, making himself known only with Parliamentary concerns. From most accounts, his attentions have been drawn away from his wife by a mysterious lady…

  Underneath the snippet was a cartoon picture of a lovely lady heavy with child, gripping tightly to the curtains of a window. Out the window, a gentleman in Arthur’s likeness smiling and embracing a woman of seemingly loose morals as her breast was bare and her hands cupped the gentleman’s face, not allowing him to look back.

  The paper silently fell from her fingers to the floor. Harriet felt sickened. Arthur would never have married another… he loved her… he rescued her. No, she wouldn’t accept it. She had been badly deceived before and lost Arthur. She wouldn’t allow it to happen again.

  She would go to London herself.

  * * * *

  Harriet stood alone on the London street. She had left Sadie in the carriage, refusing her maid’s accompaniment. This was hers alone to face.

  Irrational thoughts bombarded her. There would be no rest until she knew the truth. She had held steadfast about readying a carriage for her journey to Arthur’s townhouse. Smithson feared the consequences of such an action, relenting only after Harriet’s threat of walking to London.

  Harriet hadn’t a plan, not even a semblance of an idea of what she was going to do. She only knew she had to discover if Carlisle had been truthful… if Arthur had done the unthinkable and deceived her…

  How long she stood motionless on the street staring at the entrance, Harriet hadn’t a clue. An impressive structure reflected the wealth and status of its occupants, flanked by other similar homes. She imagined that during the height of the Season, the street would be filled with activity. Today, though, it seemed quiet.

  Harriet had never been to London. She had never experienced a ball, a dinner party, or an invitation to tea that one would expect from the prestige of being Lord Daneford’s wife. Nor did she suspect would she ever if Carlisle had been correct in his accusation.

  Swallowing hard, she climbed the steps and knocked. She had not long to wait. The butler answered her call with the utmost proficiency.

  “I would like to see Lady Daneford.” Harriet said the words with the utmost of difficulty, having them choke in her throat.

  “Whom do I say is calling?”

  Immediately, her heart sank. The need to enter into the home had been squelched. There was a Lady Daneford and it wasn’t her. Blinking back the swelling hurt inside her, she lowered her head. “I’m afraid I have come at a rather bad time. I will return…”

  “Harriet! Harriet Burke! Why, ever am I glad to see you!”

  Harriet looked up at the sound of her name. Bessie called again, “Jenkins! Call for my husband. Ewan will be just as surprised as I!”

  The next instant, Bessie wrapped her arms about her cousin. “However did you get here? Where have you been? Do you have your man with you? I suppose Ewan will chastise me for entertaining you, but you are my cousin. Oh, Clarissa will be so relieved. I told her she had nothing to fear.”

  Bessie suffocated Harriet. Pulling back, Harriet straightened herself from the attack on her being. Catching her breath, she tried to maintain her composure. “Bessie, what are you doing here?”

  “You silly goose. Why, surely you must know I married Ewan,” Bessie rambled as if her marriage was the most natural conclusion in the world. “Come in. Come in. We have so much to catch up on. Tell me. Who was it? Who did you run off with?”

  She scanned Harriet’s face. “Oh, dear, did he desert you? You look quite upset.”

  Harriet withdrew her arm. “I’m sorry, Bessie. I am quite upset. I have not come for a social visit. I did not even realize that you were here or had married Ewan.”

  “Oh, dear. Oh, dear.” Bessie froze to her spot. “You are not here to see Arthur? You can’t...he’s not here…but you can’t,” Bessie repeated and then added, “Harriet, he’s married to the Duke of Torridge’s daughter, Sophia…”

  Bessie played on Harriet’s frayed nerves, but it wasn’t Bessie who caused Harriet’s heart to pause. The most lovely lady stepped out from the drawing room. A sudden paralyzing fear overcame Harriet.

  Lady Sophia strolled out into the foyer in an imperious manner. Tall with a halo of raven hair, her dark, intense eyes bore into Harriet. Years of training assisted in the Viscountess’ poise, for the look told Harriet the lady knew well who she was.

  “May I help you?” Lady Sophia asked in a cool, distant voice. Her eyebrows rose slightly as her hand lay upon her protruding stomach.

  Unconsciously, Harriet curtsied to the lady, not knowing why exactly, except it was clear she was the Viscountess of Daneford. Harriet shook her head. “I beg your pardon, Lady Daneford. I have imposed, but I haven’t seen my cousin in quite some time. I should have sent a note.”

  Lady Sophia shot a look at Bessie, who gave her a weak smile.

  “My cousin, Lady Sophia, Miss Harriet Burke.” Bessie made the introduction, looking befuddled. “Dear Harriet, you cannot go now. Please, come in. There is so much for us to catch up. We were about to have tea. Were we not, Sophia…?”

  Harriet shook her head. “I believe it best I leave.”

  “But I can hear the rain begin. At least stay until the rain disburses,” Bessie begged.

  Harriet stole a look at Bessie. She wanted nothing more than to tell her cousin she was only making matters worse with her insistence. Then to Harriet’s horror, the door opened and a figure came stomping into the foyer. James Carlisle.

  Shaking off the rain from his coat and hat, he handed both to the butler. He paused at the sight of Harriet and smiled a wide grin. “Ah, Miss Burke. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Harriet could take no more. She had
made a huge mistake. Summoning all the dignity she had within her, she ran out the open door and didn’t look back.

  * * * *

  The whole of her heart shattered. Harriet had her answer. The world she lived was no more than a fantasy… a cruel jest. She held no memory of her return trip back to this house. She could no longer call it home for she could not… would not stay. The realization overwhelmed her that she had no home.

  Time passed. It must have, for Harriet heard the grandfather clock chime eleven o’clock. Mrs. Cummings had pressed her to eat to the point she had left an untouched tray on the table beside the sofa. Harriet had not moved from the seat she had taken in the window seat, staring out into the darkened night… the cold, lonely night.

  Harriet drew in a deep breath, trying desperately to contain her emotions. She dared not give in to the tears welling within her eyes. There would be plenty of time for them once she had left. She had to leave. It was the only certainty she held within her.

  Oh, whatever was she going to do! Compose yourself! She had no time for self-pity. She could ill afford to fall victim to a fit of vapors. Her mind raced with her limited options. Even now, Lady Sophia’s eyes haunted her. The lady knew who she was. Oh, my God...what I am...a kept woman...a mistress.

  Within the stillness of the dark surrounding her, she heard the door creak open and then click shut. He was here.

  "Mrs. Cummings is worried about you," he said. "She said you did not change out of your wet clothes nor did you eat."

  The sound of his boots clicking over the wooden floor echoed around her. She refused to turn around. She couldn't face him, but he gave her no option. He sat on the edge of the window seat and reached for her hand. Quickly, she withdrew it.

  "Go away and leave me," she said. Her quivering voice betrayed the raging emotions swelling within her.

  Arthur would have none of it. He took her by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. "You should never have gone there, Harriet. If you had questions, you should have asked. Why...why did you go into London?"

  "Does it matter?”

  “How could you think it would not? Come, Harriet, you are not that naïve not to have considered by now that some underhanded dealings have surrounded us. You have to understand that there are those would wish us only harm. Who was it that took you to my residence in London? Why would you have done so? Did you want to humiliate me in some manner?”

  “You dare reproach me! It is not I who has told lies. I may have lived the lies, but I did not tell them.” Her anger spewed forth. She pushed back out of his hold. “If you must know, it was Mr. Carlisle. It was he who came to me, telling me that my life was not what I thought. Do not dare question his motives. It is his cousin you married! You are married, Arthur! It was his concern for his cousin’s welfare. With everything that is good, Arthur! She is with child, your child!

  “I…” She stumbled over her words. “I steadfastly refused to acknowledge your misdeeds. I held to the Arthur I loved. He would never have deceived me in such a manner.”

  His brow furrowed; his eyes darkened. “I may have stretched the truth a little, but, be honest, Harriet, you did not press me or question me. You had to suspect that all was not as it seemed. We have been together for more than four months. Surely, you must have known if I could have married you, I would have done so.”

  “I trusted you,” she whispered. “I took you upon your word.”

  “Well you should. In all, my darling, I stated the truth. I love you and want you with me always. Have I not shown you how much I love you? Did I not find you? If not for me, you would still be there or worse.”

  “You told me we were to marry,” she uttered with the greatest difficulty. “Why would I question you?”

  “Now you know that would be an impossibility. Would it not? We could debate the issue, but it will not change the truth. You were cruelly thrust from my arms. I have remedied the situation the best I could. What, my love, do you have to complain? Have I not been by your side since I found you?”

  Her eyes welled with tears, but she could not take her eyes from his. She stared at him through cloudy eyes and shook her head. “Why would I not want to be with you, Arthur? We were to be married. I pledged my love to you. Wrote to you constantly. Only when I was told you were missing did I despair… but even through the pain of the thought of losing you, I clung to the hope you lived.

  “Yes… yes… I may not fully comprehend the extremes that were taken to keep us apart… but I ask you why you did not search for me on your return? Instead—” She choked back tears. “Instead… not only did you break our engagement… Arthur, you married another within a couple of months of your return. Why… why did you not believe my words I swore to you on your departure that I would wait for you forever?”

  His expression altered. His eyes hardened. He reached over and jerked her to him, so close that she felt his breath upon her face. “I told you what happened. I thought you deserted me. A foolish mistake, but one I cannot undo. You are upset at the moment. Calm yourself.”

  “I cannot live this way, Arthur. You who know me better than anyone.”

  “And I told you it matters only that we have each other. Think, my dear, if you leave, where would you go? Back to Beebe Manor? I believe they have turned their backs upon you. Have you friends? After two years, I feel that there are few who would welcome you.”

  “My inheritance?”

  “It is no more. I have not told you all I discovered, as it was of little consequence. It is complicated at best, but it seems your money is no more. I don’t want you to worry, Harriet. Your needs will be met. I do not want to wound you more, Harriet.

  “I know you do not deserve the fate you have been dealt. If you leave me now, you will have no money, no family, no friends.”

  “My inheritance lost? How? What am I to do?” she uttered under her breath. Suddenly, desolation gripped her. Recoiling back, her hands clutched her stomach. “I do not feel well.”

  Arthur took her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom they had shared many nights. She had no protest in her when he laid her down on the bed and began to undress her himself until Sadie appeared. In the distance, she heard him command Mrs. Cummings to fetch the doctor.

  The icy cold that encompassed her thawed. A dry nightdress, the warmth of the fire, and a bowl of broth revived her sufficiently before the doctor made his entrance.

  Afterwards, she watched from the corner of her eyes while Arthur conversed with the doctor. She pulled the covers higher. She had no desire for the row that was about to commence.

  Her hand rested upon her growing stomach. She had to think of the child. In a few months, she would be responsible for another’s life. Her anger subsided with the thought. She had to be strong.

  She blinked back her tears. How could she have allowed herself to succumb to Arthur so blindly? Love, she told herself quickly. She loved him.

  Harriet watched the doctor leave, with Sadie following behind the doctor to show him out. She was alone once more with Arthur and her heart ached. She felt his eyes upon her as he walked soundly across the room to her side.

  He sat down alongside of her and tenderly caressed her cheek. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms and accept his protection… his love, but it was not hers to accept. She had to remind herself he was not hers, no matter his words. He had a family… a wife and soon a child.

  She turned her face away and pushed his hand away.

  “I know you are upset, Harriet, with good reason, but we will work all of this out between us. We will handle everything as long as we are together. I do not want you upset, not with a child coming. You should have told me you suspected.”

  Harriet stared at him and sat up. “And what would you have done? What do you plan to do now?”

  “It changes nothing, except know I will love the babe also as I love you.”

  Slowly, she shook her head. Her rambling thoughts cleared. “You understa
nd nothing, Arthur. You need to leave. You are right. I don’t know what I will do, but I know it will not be here.”

  “You need to rest. Then we will talk again. Think of the child… our child.”

  “I am,” she said with conviction. “You will not change my mind. I have listened to you. I have listened to your proclamation of love, but I have yet to hear you ask for forgiveness. You say you love me. Yet you gave me no choice with the life that you have condemned me to.

  “You do not know what love is. You know only your own wants and needs. You… you took what we had and destroyed it. You made it torrid and scandalous. If it was only myself… I might find it to forgive you, but it’s not.” She cleared her voice and composed herself, ignoring the searing pain scorching her heart. “My child… my child will be born a bastard… a bastard, Arthur. That I can’t forgive.”

  She turned her back to him in silence. She composed herself long enough to hear him walk out the room and shut the door. Then she wept herself to sleep.

  Chapter Six

  Arthur sat in the dark. His head pounded. Oh, God, he had lost her! The only one… only thing that mattered to him… was gone. She would never forgive him. He saw it in her eyes. How did everything go to hell?

  Before he left for the war, everything seemed so clear. Now, everything crumbled around him. What… what had he done that was so wrong? He had been tricked… tricked into marrying Sophia. He never wanted Sophia… he married her only to please his grandfather.

  No… that was not the whole truth. He had lashed out his hurt against Harriet. His pride retaliated for the pain her betrayal created, except… except she hadn’t betrayed him. He had her…

  He had been a fool. Her words gnawed at his soul and echoed in his heart. The truth rained down upon him. She was right. It was not he who would suffer. Society would not ostracize him for his actions… it was Harriet.