Page 62 of Cora
“You heard about that?”
“Everyone has heard about it, Cora.” A note of hurt crept into Honey’s voice. Cora squeezed her eyes closed. She should have come sooner to tell her in person. Her friend deserved better. But at least she had brought a gift by way of apology. “I brought tickets for you and five other people. I know your stepmother won’t want to attend without your father and stepsisters. You’ll be seated next to the Dowager Countess de Lucey and Miss Kingston.”
“Thank you, that’s very sweet of you.” Honey accepted the packet, but Cora couldn’t escape the feeling that something wasn’t right.
“Do you not enjoy Miss Kingston’s company? I know there have been…concerns.”
Cora’s debut Season had been a disaster, but not due to her own personality flaws—and she could admit she had a few. Isabelle’s was not a disaster, yet, but it wasn’t the success her mother had clearly hoped for. Honey could be trusted to repeat everything people had said about poor Isabelle’s debut.
“Miss Kingston’s beauty has drawn the attention of many admirers, but each and every one of them finds her awkward in conversation,” Honey said with her typical lack of artifice. She blushed and covered her mouth. “I don’t mean to be rude. She is difficult to hold a conversation with.”
“I know. I understand. Fortunately, men rarely marry for a lady’s conversational skills. I doubt that will prove to be an impediment to her marriage prospects.”
“Is your marriage improving? I haven’t seen much of you lately. Has Mr. Wentworth been keeping you busy?”
Heat flushed her body from head to toe. “We are getting on tolerably well, yes.”
“Excellent news. I had worried after I heard that he was the one who started that awful rumor about your brother’s bank failing.”
The warmth of embarrassment faded into an icy chill creeping down her skin like a late-spring frost.
“You heardwhat?”
“I heard that he wanted to put your brother out of business so he could acquire the assets. I assume it isn’t true. I know you’d never forgive him, and that’s exactly what I told Lady Wells Kepson when she told me.”
Oh, that evil woman. Clearly, Cora had made her angry after she’d been dismissive at the Blumford’s ball. But this was low.
Low enough for it to have a whiff of truth amongst the stench.
Gideon had alluded to doing whatever it took to have her as his wife. At the time, she’d believed he meant the night he ruined her publicly. But she knew he had a ruthless streak, and he had treated her like a prize to be won. Even this stupid concert she was giving at his behest wasn’t forherbenefit. It was for his. He wanted to show off the filly with good bloodlines he’d acquired for such a bargain.
Making her into an advertisement for the one thing he cared about. His stupid bank.
“Would you like a preview of my show?” she asked abruptly. She wasn’t going to do anything rash. She would make inquiries. Gather evidence. Talk to Lysander and Eryx before confronting Gideon, for once she did, their fragile bond would be knocked over as easily as a sand castle. She wasn’t ready to face that yet.
“I haven’t heard you play in years!” exclaimed Honey. “Please. I would love to hear what songs you have in store. Will you do another bawdy house tune? They’re popular in public houses.”
A terrible, wonderful idea came into her head. Cora sat at the piano and ran her fingers over the keys, depressing a few of them in a haphazard melody. Warming up.
She already knew she would do the performance. Cora bore down on the piano keys, pounding out a swelling chord progression. Felt it resonate in her bones. Vibrate in her chest.
Yes.
She would perform for the world. She would show everyone that no one, not even her mother-in-law, and certainly not Gideon, could hurt her anymore. She was impervious to his slights and tricks now. A grown woman who could handle anything.
For she knew in her bones that what Honey had said was true. She needed proof, but she already knew what she would find. Underhanded was precisely the kind of tactic her husband would use. Anger surged through Cora, breathtaking in its intensity. Out of spite, she changed to the tune that had once taken her down publicly, pounding out the notes and leaning over to grin at a very confused Titi and a laughing Honey.
The Yorkie yipped excitedly.
* * *
Meanwhile, in France…
A shaftof light cut across her face. Bella snapped to attention, as much as she could. She sagged against her bonds.
“You, again,” she grumbled.
“Eat.” He threw a bundle at her. It landed on the dirt floor beside her knee. Bella couldn’t reach for it unless he came down the stairs and unhooked her from the wall. She stared at it.
