Page 78 of An Honorable Deception
Lavinia took one off the top, examining the wax seal with its columned brick building and arching letters. The stamp was a forgery, based on the pin. “These look perfect.”
“Two more to address, and then I’ll begin on the portfolios. Marigold and some of Barclay’s family will be helping.”
Lavinia nodded. “If you need extra hands, let me know.”
“I will. And Lavinia?”
She paused halfway out the door, turning back.
Gemma gave her a serious smile. “I just want to say I’m sorry for doubting the wisdom in bringing you on board. We wouldn’t have been able to do this without you. You . . . you’ve grown into a woman I’m proud to know. Anytime you need my help with your new venture, you have it. Anything at all. What you’re doing to help women like this—it matters. And I would be honored to be a part of it.”
The approval, unsought and unexpected, made Lavinia’s eyes sting in the best way. She’d found her mind going again and again to the words Alethia had said in the library, letting the truth of them settle in her heart. Letting the promises of the Lord, so often drowned out by her own pain and disappointments, take hold.
Her value wasn’t in whose daughter she was, or whose friend, or in what human loved her. Whether her neighbors and peers respected her or not wasn’t the crux of the matter. Her value was in being a child of God—and pleasing Him in her actions was what she must seek above all.
She would follow this path, this plan to help others, whether it earned others’ approval or not. That sense of purpose had settled deep in her bones as she traveled to London. It made peace settle in a place in her heart she’d thought had burned up with scarlet fever.
And funny thing, that. It meant now, with a friend’s approval echoing in her ears, it could at once soothe a tattered edge and make her more aware than ever that she was strong enough to follow the call of the Lord.
She smiled. “Thank you, Gemma. I’m sure I will need plenty of help. And it means the world that you would offer it.”
She sought out Marigold last, and she could admit at least to herself that it wasn’t because she knew she and Zelda didn’t need any supervision with the costuming. It was because she’d been putting it off. So much needed to be said between them. She knew Marigold would give her another dressing-down and could imagine the words she’d choose this time.
I see how you’re looking at him. Didn’t I warn you to stay away? You are no good for my brother, she would say. Or perhaps,If you’re going to be so bossy on every case,consider yourself dismissed once this baby’s born and I can take my rightful place again.
But she had her own things she had to say to Marigold too, and those were what really made her put off the confrontation. How was she to look her best friend in the eye and demand respect? Demand to be seen for who she was, not just for what she did or did not feel for Yates? Every time she thought about it, she both knew the words needed to be spoken and got nauseous at the thought of saying them.
She stepped into the dressing room, seeing feathers and sequins and mannequins but no people. Not until the door swung shut behind her with a resounding bang, and a too victorious “Ha! Caught you!” had her spinning around.
Marigold stood grinning in front of the door, feet planted in a way that promised she had no intention of moving again until she’d had her say.
Well. Lavinia could recognize the time had come. She squared her shoulders. “Not exactly like capturing a lion from the savanna, Marigold. You knew I’d be coming by.” But oh, facing off against a villain was surely easier than against one’s best friend. She looked down at her clipboard and spun to the row of mannequins. “How is the costuming going?”
“Are you in love with my brother?”
She paused with a hand out toward the deep blue gown on the nearest dress form and let it fall back to her side, wishing she’d spoken up first. Started on her terms instead of Marigold’s.
But she hadn’t, and so Marigold’s courage in starting the conversation meant they’d start it where she wanted. Lavinia drew in a fortifying breath, turned, and forced herself to meet Marigold’s gaze. “I have not forgotten our last conversation, I promise. You don’t need to worry aboutme interfering with his life—or with your firm. After this, I imagine I’ll be far too busy planning the conversion of Mother’s estate into aproperhome for these women to be in Northumberland much.”
Marigold looked as thoughshewere the one having trouble finding the right words. “Vinia, that’s not what I asked. Nor my concern.” Her friend blustered out a breath. “I’m sorry. So very sorry. Can you ever forgive me for what I said to you?”
Lavinia frowned. “What?”
Marigold clasped her hands together. “My only thought was for keeping him from getting hurt, but I was wrong. I should have consideredyourheart, your feelings too, and I . . . I didn’t. And I see how that hurt you, and I’m sorry. So sorry. I would be even if you really felt nothing for my brother, because it was still so wrong of me.”
Even if, she said. Because she clearlycouldsee how Lavinia had still been looking at Yates. But now, with the trembling in Marigold’s voice and with the tears in her eyes, it wasn’t an accusation. Wasn’t something to try to deny, not with her.
Perhaps, even though Yates hadn’t chosen her, that didn’t mean losing Marigold. Perhaps she could find a bit of comfort in her best friend. “You may be surprised at how long I’ve felt this way about him. I know I was.”
Breathing a laugh, Marigold reached for her hands. “I’m an idiot—it must run in the family. I took the liberty of telling him he’s behaving like one, too, refusing to admit he loves you still.” She squeezed her hands but then dropped them and pulled her in for a hug instead. “Don’t give up on him yet, Vinia. He hasn’t yet reconciled the truth before him with the truth that used to be.”
Lavinia clung to her friend, one of the walls she’d built socarefully crumbling away brick by brick. She’d missed this. Missed Marigold. Missed being on her side.
Even so. “Your acceptance means the world to me, Marigold. But Yates has set his sights on Alethia.”
“No, he hasn’t.” Marigold pulled away. “Hewantedto. But trust me. When he saw Xavier kissing her yesterday, he barely batted an eye. But when he sawyouwere still limping, he looked as though he’d have liked to swoop over and carry you the three steps to the carriage.”
Lavinia frowned. “Xavier was kissing Alethia?”
