Page 86 of A Whisper of Desire
“What are you going to do?”
“Do?”
Priscilla fidgeted beside her. “You can’t let that happen. He has to have children. That is why I refused to marry him. I sacrificed everything so that one day he could marry and have children. Just being in his life was enough for me. I wanted him to be happy.”
A sob slipped from between her lips, and she swung round into Priscilla’s arms. “I want that too. I suggested a divorce, but he won’t hear of it.”
“You must make him see. Do you think it was easy to get Maitland to walk away after what his father did to me? But I persevered and succeeded. I talked his father into marrying me instead.”
“I’m not sure what else I can do. I can’t petition for a divorce, I have no grounds, and if Maitland opposed, no one would grant the divorce anyway. Other than run away, I see no other option. Running away would not leave him free to remarry. I’d have to be dead.”
She felt Priscilla tense. Silence filled the night air. “We will have to think of something.”
They stood together in shared misery until Marisa gathered herself and pulled out of her embrace. “I should get back to my guests. This is not duchess-type behavior.”
“Go. I’ll stay for a moment longer.”
Marisa moved back inside and called through the door, “Thank you for telling me I’m right.”
When she walked with her head held high back into the drawing room, Maitland made to come to her, but she waved him away. He must have told them, because she could see the looks of pity on their faces—all except Hadley. His face was a mass of anger; she’d never seen him this way. The pitying looks were what she would have to face for the rest of her life unless she could convince Maitland to divorce her.
Hadley approached and handed her a glass of what she could smell was whiskey. “Drink. You look like you need it.” He watched her take a tentative sip. “We will get you your revenge, that I promise.”
She squeezed his hand and he led her back to her seat. Once she was comfortable, Arend began telling them everything he’d learned about Fleur de Lily.
“It’s the name that was used by one of the most sought-after courtesans in Paris several years ago. The timing of her rise to fame matches the dates of our fathers’ ‘incident,’ I have termed it.”
“Is that where you have been these past weeks: Paris?” Sebastian asked.
Arend nodded.
Hadley leaned forward, excitement almost causing him to spill his drink. “So you have a name? You learned her identity?”
“Sadly, no.” There was a collective sigh at Arend’s reply. “We knew it wouldn’t be that easy. A woman with her background who perhaps wants to leave that life behind will have covered her identity well.”
“So we know nothing.” Marisa’s bitter words stilled everyone.
“Not so. I have learned that she accepted a proposal of marriage.” He paused. “To an Englishman of means.”
“Of means? What the hell does ‘of means’ mean? That doesn’t narrow the field, so to speak.” Grayson inquired sarcastically.
“If you would let me finish.”
Grayson straightened his cravat. “Sorry, I’m just a bit riled up from Maitland and Marisa’s news. I want her caught.” He reached for Portia’s hand, caressing it in his.
“I found one of Angelo’s ‘friends.’ He admitted that Angelo had been in Paris seeking the same information. He remembers this woman. She would be around mid-twenties now. He can’t tell me hair coloring or anything, because she used to dye her hair, but he does remember that she was English, not French. Her French accent was terrible. He also told me that she was the favorite of an English earl, but he could not remember the name.”
“By Jove, that narrows our search down quite considerably.”
“Christian, let’s not get too excited. Who is to say she is still with said earl? Besides, we can’t go round accusing the wife of an earl. We still need proof.”
Trust Maitland to bring their hopes crashing down. Thankfully, the awkward silence was broken by Brunton announcing dinner was served. Marisa took the arm Maitland held out for her, and he covered her hand with his, rubbing her glove as if wanting to ward off the cold that owned her body.
She wanted to take her mind off the horror that was her situation, and as she took her seat opposite Hadley, she smiled and said, “Isobel tells me an old flame of yours is back in London and asking after you.”
Hadley looked amused. “That doesn’t really narrow her name down for me.”
A giggle, her first since this afternoon, escaped. “Cad,” she scolded lightheartedly. “Lady Evangeline, you heartbreaker.”
