by Joyce Alec
Lydia shook her head, seeing the tangled web that Lady Starling was attempting to explain. “You mean to say that he took letters, written confessions and the like, so that you could no longer use them.”
Lady Starling closed her eyes, her jaw working for a moment. “Yes,” she grated, her eyes opening and fixing on Lydia, who, even though she wanted to hold the lady’s gaze, found she could not help but look away. “He did just that. Therefore, I had to find another reliable source of income so that I could continue to live as I pleased.”
A swift intake of breath by her side told Lydia that her betrothed had realized that the only thing he had ever meant to Lady Starling was money.
“Gentlemen do not want to marry a widow such as myself,” Lady Starling continued calmly. “I am known to care for my own pleasures and to choose them carefully—a gentleman of the ton does not want a wife who has once been a widow under other men’s protection. Yet, despite that, I thought that you, Lord Ancrum, might be the only one who could be convinced to do so.”
Lord Ancrum’s frame tightened visibly, making Lydia all too aware of the effect Lady Starling’s words were having upon him. She wanted to lean into him, to tell him that this was the end of their troubles and that he did not need to listen to Lady Starling if he did not wish to, but she knew she could not. This had to be said. It had to be understood, so that Lord Ancrum knew all. Only then could he have peace within his heart.
“You thought that, with my past indiscretions, the ton would not look upon me favorably,” Lord Ancrum said, his voice hard. “And you thought that if you approached me, you might encourage my affections to rise somewhat.”
Lady Starling laughed loudly, the sound brash and grating. “That is precisely what I hoped, yes,” she admitted, chuckling as though she had been playing some sort of mild trick on him. “You seemed quite amiable at first and then, of course, I garnered your sympathy by telling you the truth about Lord Paulson—although I neglected to share the entirety of the situation with you.”
Lord Ancrum shook his head, never lifting his eyes from Lady Starling. “You wanted me to find something incriminating so that you could take control yet again.”
“Of course,” Lady Starling replied blithely, waving a hand. “But I could not do it alone. Lord Paulson would be sure to notice if I quit the room without any reason to do so. Therefore, I had you go for me.”
Lydia frowned, her stomach roiling uncomfortably. “Then why state that Miss Preston had to wear the same cut and color of gown as you?” she asked, not fully understanding. “If your intention was to have Lord Ancrum seek out something with which to blackmail Lord Paulson, why did you need Miss Preston’s help at all?”
Lady Starling turned her gaze lazily onto Lydia, her color now returning to normal. Her anger seemed to have faded, for she had neither redness in her cheeks nor fire in her gaze. It was as if she had given up completely, realizing that her plan had crumbled to nothing.
“Because Lord Paulson was a trickster,” she answered, lifting one shoulder in a small shrug. “And because I did not trust him. When his invitation came for me to attend his musical soiree, I knew full well that there was something else underneath the invitation. And I was correct.”
Mr. Jones cleared his throat, his hands behind his back. “And might you explain what that was, Lady Starling?”
Rolling her eyes as if to state that Mr. Jones was nothing more than an incompetent fool, Lady Starling let out a long sigh and slid her gaze towards him. “Lord Paulson whispered in my ear that he knew what I was doing with Lord Ancrum,” she replied, gesturing towards the gentleman. “He stated that he would tell Lord Ancrum everything unless I was willing to give him a reason not to do so.” A small shudder ran through her. “I could not stand for such a demand.”
“And so you chose to kill him,” Mr. Jones stated, as Lady Starling held his gaze. “Is that it?”
Lady Starling nodded and then sat back in her chair. “I saw him leave the room, although I do not think he intended to do so prior to that evening. A footman came to him quietly, as I think I have told you before, Lord Ancrum.” She glanced at him but Lord Ancrum said nothing, his fingers now laced through Lydia’s. “Thereafter, I simply had to pray and hope that he would remain outside the room until Miss Preston came to seek me out.”
“I did,” Miss Preston admitted, tears beginning to run down her cheeks. “I rose to make my way to the powder room, looking towards Lady Starling as I had been instructed. She nodded and quickly, I slipped into her seat as she rose to leave. The performance was at its height and I cannot be certain that even the person who sat in the next chair even noticed what occurred, such was their interest in the performance.”
Lady Starling sighed and got to her feet, looking at Mr. Jones. Her shoulders slumped, the fight gone from her. “I did not mean to kill him,” she said, although Lydia did not know whether or not such a thing was true. “I had a small knife with me but that was only to protect myself should my discussion with Lord Paulson go awry.”
Lydia closed her eyes, recalling how she had seen Lord Paulson face down on the floor. “It went badly awry, then,” she murmured, making Lady Starling throw her a dark look.
“Indeed,” Lady Starling replied, a trifle tartly. “I threatened him and he merely laughed at me.” She lifted one shoulder. “I do not recall ever intending to push the knife into his heart.”
“You must have done so with a good deal of force,” the second Bow Street Runner said, his expression somewhat doubtful. “And there must have been some of his blood upon your person.”
For a moment, Lydia feared that the Bow Street Runner would not believe what Lady Starling said, but the first man, Mr. Jones, merely tipped his head and looked back at Lady Starling for her explanation.
“Anger gives one a good deal of strength, it seems,” Lady Starling said, her voice a little heavy. “The last thing I recall was seeing him fall to his knees. I believe his heavy landing on the floor pushed the knife in all the more.”
“And the dark green of our gowns would have hidden any marks of blood, I am quite certain,” Miss Preston added, as her mother handed her a fresh handkerchief. “That is the explanation you are searching for, I think.”
Lydia let out her breath silently, realizing that all the questions she had been wondering and thinking upon had finally been answered. Lady Starling had given herself up to the explanation of it, admitting her guilt and freeing both Lydia and Lord Ancrum from the matter entirely. She looked up at Lord Ancrum, seeing his expression fixed, his cheeks a little white. His eyes were focused on something on the other side of the room, although she doubted that he saw it. There was so much to take in, so much to consider, and she feared that it would take some time for them both to accept it.
“I think, Lady Starling, that we should continue this discussion in another place,” Mr. Jones said eventually, his low voice breaking the silence. “There will be consequences for what you have done, although I am quite certain you are aware of that.”
Lydia, aware of how difficult it would be to convict someone such as Lady Starling, who had both standing and wealth, closed her eyes and wondered silently what punishment would be offered. Lady Starling would not be hanged, as those in the lower classes would be, for such a thing would be entirely offensive to all of the beau monde. No, most likely Lady Starling would have to disappear entirely from London society. Where she would go, Lydia could not say, but they did not need to fear that she would ever again be a part of their lives.
“Very well,” Lady Starling replied quietly, gathering herself and then turning around, moving towards the door as the Bow Street Runners followed. “Good day to you all.”
Lydia rose to her feet alongside her betrothed, wondering at the strange manner of Lady Starling. It was as though she were merely saying goodbye after what had been a cordial visit, simply taking her leave of some acquaintances. She showed no sign of regret, did not ask Lord Ancrum to forgive her, and certainly d
id not want to make amends to Lydia. She had used them all to further herself, and now that it had all come crashing to the ground, there was nothing left for Lady Starling to cling to. Perhaps that was a punishment in itself.
“My thanks to you both.”
The door closed behind Lady Starling and Lord Ancrum turned to Lady Cuthbert and Miss Preston, who had finally finished weeping. “Without your courage, Miss Preston, I doubt we would have discovered the truth in its entirety. I hope you know just how courageous you have been.”
Miss Preston rose and gave him a watery smile. “I am glad to be free of it now,” she admitted hoarsely, as her mother drew herself up beside her. “And I know I can trust you to keep what I have said to yourselves.”
“As we must ask you also to do,” Lydia replied, giving Miss Preston a warm smile that she hoped would encourage her. “Thank you again, Miss Preston. You truly have saved us all.”
Epilogue
“You look resplendent this evening.”
Joseph smiled to himself as Lydia blushed furiously, although her eyes were aglow with happiness.
“Thank you, Lord Ancrum,” she replied softly, her hand already on his arm. “You look very dashing also.”
He chuckled at this, patting her hand and walking with her towards his theatre box. The play was meant to be one of the best to be performed this Season, but Joseph did not much care for that. All he wanted to do was to spend time with his betrothed, for now that the ugliness of the past few weeks was behind them, he was able to see just how wonderful his life was about to become.
“My mother is to attend with me,” Lydia reminded him with a rueful smile. “Although, she has not yet managed to tug herself away from her acquaintances, as you are able to see.”
Joseph looked over his shoulder and saw Lady Templeton gesturing wildly about some such thing to three other ladies, who were all agog with curiosity. He could not help but increase the speed of his steps, almost pulling Lydia along with him in his haste.
“She is telling everyone she knows about Lady Starling,” Lydia said, shaking her head as he led her into the box. “The truth has been suppressed as much as it can be, but it is well known now that Lady Starling has left for the continent. To leave England’s shores is significant indeed, especially without explanation.”
“And no explanation will ever be given,” Joseph replied, his jaw firm. “I should not want anything more to come to light than has already been made known.”
“No, indeed not,” Lydia concurred, “especially since we have agreed to protect Miss Preston.”
Joseph nodded, turning to her and seeing just how she bit her lip. He did not like to see her do such a thing, wanting her to be freed from worry. “Come now, my dear,” he murmured, forcing himself not to think any longer of what had passed. “We must put Lady Starling from our mind and look towards our future.” The box was wrapped in shadow and, unable to prevent himself from going to her, he stepped closer and gently tugged her into his arms.
A small gasp of surprise escaped her lips, although she looked up at him with obvious pleasure at their closeness.
“I did not ever think that I would be able to redeem myself in your eyes, Lydia,” Joseph told her, wanting to make the most of this moment, wanting to speak the words that had been growing in his heart for so long. “You must know that I admire you. You must be able to see just how grateful I am to consider you my bride.” He pressed one hand against his heart. “I do not feel as though I deserve someone as wonderful as you.”
“You have more than redeemed yourself, Ancrum,” she whispered, her hands reaching up around his neck as the shadows hid them from the ton’s watchful eyes. “Even from our first meeting, I found myself unable to remove you completely from my thoughts and now, as I stand here with you, I discover that I am unable to remove you from my heart.”
Joseph’s brows lifted, his heart swelling within him. He had wanted to speak these words first but it seemed that Lydia had managed to begin before him.
“I love you, Ancrum,” Lydia finished, her eyes searching his face as she spoke. “I do not think I could have kept myself silent any longer. It has been ten days since we last saw Lady Starling, and since that time, I have discovered that my heart has done nothing but yearn for you. It is filled with a love for you that I can barely find the words to express, but it is within me, nonetheless. And I have no doubt that it will grow all the more steadily with every day that passes.”
He let out his breath slowly, a smile spreading across his face as he tugged her closer. “You have spoken the very same words I sought to say to you this evening, my love,” he said to her, seeing her face light up as he began to lower his head. “You have been my constant. You have trusted me when there was no need to do so. You have shown me patience, have offered me understanding and now, you offer me your heart.” He captured her face with his hands, feeling the softness of her skin and finding his heart aching with all that he felt for her. “I love you, Lydia, and it is a love that shall never be taken from me.”
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