But no, they would not be picking up the pieces where they’d left off. And no, she wasn’t going to be dictated to by him. As far as she was concerned the ending of their marriage was already a done thing. If he wouldn’t give her a divorce, she would act as if he had. This was not… tolerable.
In her distress, she’d left the building and was walking randomly, just getting further and further away from him and the mess he’d caused. Well, at least he acknowledged he'd caused it. And he was still causing it. Part of her had to wonder if he was doing this to hurt her. No, it wasn't like him. This was conviction for him. They did not have just cause for divorce, so they wouldn't divorce. But then to say that they would still be married even if she took a lover. That… that was punishing them both for his stupid mistakes.
Why did he have to be so impossible?
For a moment, she wondered if it was possible to find William Castle Garrick and have him convince Caius it was true. Surely the man couldn't be so intent on telling the truth now. Lying hadn't bothered him the least little bit before.
How she wished Teresa was here so she could talk to someone about it. The truth was that she didn't have many friends. Largely she had stayed away from people and the awkward questions about where her husband was and why she was living in Lambeth running a business in what was an unladylike fashion.
Another dark thought occurred to her. She really would be Lady Warwick if Caius refused to divorce her. A prospect she absolutely didn't want as it would only draw more attention to her. It was one thing being the wife of a military officer, who was away for lengthy periods of time, quite another to be the separated wife of a titled gentleman with both of them in the same city.
This was all unbearable, but Caius had told her in no uncertain terms that bear it they would. Even if separated and living separate lives.
No, this was his impetuousness speaking. Guilt fueling him now, but in the long term, he would want a family and an heir, and it could be that he would be much more open to the logic of divorcing when his shock of his guilt subsided. Emotions drove these decisions, and those emotions would pass.
In six months, he might feel very differently.
The thought soothed her. None of this was set in stone. His determination that her lack of real guilt with regards to adultery could change too. It might well be that he would be amenable to looking over recent questions raised with regards to the William Castle Garrick scandal. It was the perfect excuse for divorce. It was well known and it was shocking. Clear grounds for divorce—if Caius could just get over his squeamishness about some wobbly facts.
No, that is what they would do. Caius needed time to process things. This was all in the heat of the moment for him and he was making bad decisions. Given time, he would calm down and they could get everything back on track. The divorce track that was. Not the silly track he was proposing.
Chapter 23:
FOR A MOMENT, CAIUS wondered if he could bar the door when he saw his father's carriage pull up. Octavia would pry. It is what she always did and Caius wasn’t in the mood to talk about anything.
"Sister," he said when Mr. Jones helped her in. They embraced and it felt nice to have her there—nice to have family there.
Why were all his emotions contradicting each other right now? Black and white at the same time.
"How are you?"
How could he possibly answer that question? "Well. As you see."
"And how are things with Eliza?"
Direct to the point. That was his sister. "Yes, I have seen her."
"And what does she say?"
"Would you like some refreshment? You must be parched after your journey. Come through to the salon."
There was nothing Mr. Jones hated more than having to do tea service for ladies. Nothing pushed the man as far out of his comfort zone as ladies. They tended to confound the man with the things they said and asked for. At no point had Mr. Jones ever known any ladies and he hadn't a clue how to handle them, and Octavia wasn't easy for her own family to handle.
"Don't change the subject, Caius."
"We don't have a subject yet. You’ve barely gotten in the door."
"Well, I am in now and I am seated."
"Fine, she did not take it well."
"Take what well?"
"The fact that we are not divorcing."
Octavia was quiet, her eyes searching his. "I see. No doubt you made a hash of it."
"No doubt," he confirmed. "All in all, I can't say things are going swimmingly. Quite clearly, she doesn’t like me and I don't think she is all that keen on this marriage continuing."
"Are you keen on the marriage continuing?"
"I think we owe our vows to continue, but from a certain perspective, one could say that vows are already broken."
"You mean from her perspective," Octavia added, taking a sip of her tea. "So now what? Are you to order her to Bickerley like some ogre?"
"No, of course not."
"But you want a reconciliation?"
The question was hard to answer. It was something he’d mentally stayed away from. Because on one hand, he would make himself unhappy if he set himself on it and it didn’t happen—if Eliza chose to pursue a life completely apart from him. "I am not sure that's possible."
"But you wish for a marriage that is as it should be?" Octavia pressed.
It annoyed him that she pressed, but knew it was because it was an answer he needed to formulate, one he wasn't sure he was ready to. "Yes. But as I said, I am not sure that it's a realistic desire. I seem to make her cry every time I speak to her." Eliza fought it, but he could see the tears she refused to shed. It was the reason she ran from him just about every time they spoke. Except with the solicitors. Perhaps the only way they could have a prolonged conversation would be with solicitors arbitrating.
"That is a good sign, I think."
"What?"
"That she cries."
"How could that possibly be a good sign?"
"Well, it isn't cool indifference, is it?"
The logic had him stumped for a moment. "So you think there is hope?"
"She fell in love with you once. There is obviously something about you that appeals to her. And with love, I don't think it ever truly goes away. Not if it was real in the first place."
Caius thought back on his first meeting with her after returning from the Orient. No, it had twisted his gut. As much as he'd wanted cool indifference, emotions had burned through his blood. Neither of them were indifferent, and according to Octavia that was a good sign. "I’m not sure she would hear out any suggestion I put to her in that regard. She is angry with me. Deeply so. She feels I failed her as a husband, and it is hard to argue that I didn't."
"Then you must convince her that you will not fail her again."
"I doubt she’ll listen."
"I suppose that is where you will have to get creative, brother. If you cannot, then perhaps you don’t deserve to have her back."
"It is always so pleasant when you come visit."
"You do not like it that I give you the plain facts."
"Perhaps it is the brutal way in which you deliver them," he said with a smile. "But why are you here? Did you come simply to witness this debacle, or are you here for a reason?"
"I am, as it happens," she said. "I thought it was timely I spend some time with my friends. Particularly as myself and Terence Elkwood have had a falling out."
"Terence Elkwood doesn't fall out with anyone." Caius said, remembering the young man from his school days. Hadn't seen him in years.
"No, he does, when it suits him. Also has the capacity to be pigheaded."
"Right," Caius said, starting to realize that this was perhaps an issue he shouldn't get involved with. His sister had always been perfectly able to fight her own battles, and if Terence Elkwood was about to head into battle with her, then Caius felt sorry for him.
He had his own battle to worry about and no idea what strategies he could use. This
was unknown territory. His courtship with Eliza had been so easy. His interest had been clear from the moment he'd seen her and she had reciprocated in the same easy way. Spending time with her had been fun and he'd grown more fond of her every time he'd seen her, until the day when he just couldn't wait to see her. Planning ways to spend time with her had been all-consuming. They’d gotten engaged and then married.
Maybe there was some old wives' tale that said a courtship that was so easy would spell a troubled marriage, because that was the best way to describe what they’d had.
So how in the world would he court her again? It would definitely not be as easy as calling at her parents' house. In fact, she would probably bar him entry if he called at her house now. Likely she’d barred him entry into her business as well, and he would have to accost her on the street, where they tended to end up yelling at each other, like unruly street urchins.
If he invited her, she would probably not come—even to a meeting planned with the solicitors. Nothing according to the typical means of engagement would appeal to her and she could simply say no. There was nothing she wanted from him other than his absence.
But he wouldn’t give up on this marriage that easily. Because it was a very good marriage—had been a very good marriage, until he’d made a total hash of it.
So what did she want? The one thing she was focused on was her business. The brute's way would be to hold it to ransom, but he couldn’t deploy such tactics. There had to be gentler tactics.
Octavia's chatter broke into his thoughts. "But I would appreciate it if you could escort me to the Sanderson party."
"What?"
"The Sanderson party. I need an escort."
"But I don't wish to go to parties." Unless there was some way of getting Eliza there. Unfortunately, she had little interest in parties. Although she would be interested if it helped her business. Which the Sanderson party wouldn't do. But there were others that did. Things he could open up for her. Connections he could make.
It all hinged on if her desire to advance her business was stronger than her desire to avoid him.
"Are you not hearing a single word I am saying? Will you please take me."
"Yes, fine," he agreed, primarily to stop her pestering, which she was supremely good at when there was something she wanted. Perhaps a quality he needed to cultivate. Or not. It was hard to tell what tactics were needed. This wasn't something he’d ever done before. It was unchartered territory, but the prize was worth every effort.
Chapter 24:
TO ELIZA IT FELT A LITTLE like she’d veered completely off course, and she had no influence over it. In reality, it was the same course she’d been on the whole time, married to an absent husband, getting on with her business. And there was no threat to the business now that there was no divorce, but she’d gotten used to the idea of being divorced, had planned for it.
It would have been devastating in many ways, but she had planned for that, had anticipated it. But it also had some opportunities—one of possibly finding someone to share her time with again. It might have been too much to hope for a new husband, but to be free of her vows—that had been something both scary and thrilling.
Now that wasn’t to be. And yes, technically he was right, because she had never broken her vows. He might have—she would never ask—but that wasn't grounds for divorce in a man's case. They had no grounds for divorce, but that didn't mean they couldn't go ahead and divorce. The opportunity was there, so why was he refusing to take it? Because it hadn't been true.
Neither had her scandal with William Castle Garrick, but he'd jumped on that opportunity.
She’d been so angry with him that she’d yelled at him. In no uncertain terms had she told him what she felt about him. So it couldn't be that he held delusions about that. A poor excuse for a husband. Partially, she’d said it to convey to him that they should continue with the divorce, because she wasn’t interested in staying married to him. She deserved a better husband, or no husband.
One of the clerks came in and placed a bundle of envelopes on her desk and she smiled tightly in thanks as he retreated.
And Caius had said the ball was in her court now. It was just a matter of time and they would see if her wish for freedom would outweigh his wish for an heir. Granted he was a young man and he had time. He had time to wait.
What was she going to do? What could she do? She had no power or say in this thing. All she could do was get on with it.
Leaning over, she grabbed the bundle of mail and went through it. Bills and requests, pausing when she saw Caius' handwriting. There was a distinctive flourish he used when he wrote her name and she knew it immediately. Frowning, she stared at it. What now?
For a moment she wanted to put it back and forget it was there, but that would do no good whatsoever. With a sigh, she cracked the seal and unfolded the parchment.
Dear Wife, it started and a small growl escaped her lips, because she didn't like him referring to her that way. It felt as if it was a right he'd given up when he'd refused to believe her.
As I mentioned, I do take responsibility for the failings in our marriage. I have taken to heart your charge that I did not support you when you needed it. Unfortunately, that is true.
And while our marriage might not be something you value these days, I find I can support you in the endeavors you do value.
I have in my time become acquainted with Lord Sunderstone. I believe you must be familiar with who he is, but in case you are not, he chairs the commission in charge of the workhouses across England. As your interest is to supply charity schools with quality educational material, I anticipate it would be an ambition of yours to get your educational materials into the workhouse schools.
While I may not be able to undo the past, I can help with your hopes and ambitions for the future. Let me know if this is something of interest and I can arrange a meeting.
My Deepest Regard,
Caius
Placing the letter down on her desk, Eliza stared at it. Getting her material into the workhouses would be quite a coup. It had been her intention from the very start that the material she created would be available to all children, particularly those who had so little to assist them with their education.
And so far, she’d only met blocks any time she had tried to get in contact with the committee that managed the provisions to the workhouses. So many felt that educational materials were unnecessary, particularly as the workhouse schools focused so much on trade skills. Little was spared for more general education, especially for younger children, when a trade like domestic service was far more important than learning to read and write.
A chance to meet and discuss her materials with Lord Sunderstone would allow her to explain how important it was and how her materials would help. It was too important an opportunity to pass up. But why would Caius want to help her like this? What did he hope to achieve by it?
Perhaps it was guilt that made him offer this. What other agenda could he possibly have? It wasn't as if he wanted something from her like he had when he'd sought her guilty plea for the divorce. Unless he saw this as some means for rekindling their relationship. He had alluded to something to that effect during their last discussion, which was more an episode of her yelling at him. She wasn't proud of it, but they were things she'd needed to say.
Or perhaps he simply wanted a more cordial relationship between them, which wasn't surprising considering their last meeting.
Whatever the reason for him doing this, it was too much of an opportunity to pass up. She would have to accept it, even if the offer made her wary.
How she wished Teresa was here to advise her how to deal with this. Although Teresa's advice was a little harsh at times. Her opinion of men and marriage was quite firmly eroded by her experiences.
No perhaps it was best that Teresa was not here to advise her right now. Reaching over, she pulled a piece of paper over and picked up her pen to accept Caius' offer. This opportunity would go a
long way to achieve the goals of this company, and it would greatly benefit the most needy children in the country, who would be much better off with the education she wanted to bring to them. The whole country would be better off. A worthy goal indeed.
All it required was for her to accept her 'husband's' assistance. It felt odd calling him her husband. In the short time he had been back and they’d headed toward divorce, she had stopped thinking of him as such. Instead, he’d become the adversary she’d tried to stop thinking about.
Whatever purpose this was for, or whatever discomfort it would bring her, even if she had to show gratitude, she would do it. It was a worthy cause and it far outweighed her concerns.
The wax sealed the envelope and she asked one of the young men who performed whatever errands were needed within the company to deliver the letter to Lord Warwick's address.
Surely it would be a simple meeting after a written introduction. In truth, she wasn't even sure where the commission for the workhouses sat. It could well be in Parliament itself, or one of the attached buildings. After the meeting, she would write a thank you letter to Caius saying she appreciated his assistance. She just wasn't sure what he expected in return, because she didn’t know what she was willing to give him anything in return. Gratitude might be as far as her appreciation would go. Maybe she would have put something eluding to that in her letter. She hadn't thought of it at the time.
Chapter 25:
"LORD SUNDERSTONE IS in Devon," Caius said when he put down the letter he’d just received. "He says we are welcome to join the party to visit him."
"A visit," Octavia said, slowly clinking the small teaspoon against the fine bone china of her teacup. "How nice."
"Says he is going to France after, so it is unlikely Eliza can see him for a while."
"Unless you take her to the house party. She might enjoy a jaunt in the country."
"I doubt she will enjoy it in my company."
"I suppose that depends on how badly she wants to meet this man."
The Nuisance Wife Page 11
