Page 11 of Deception and Desire
One excruciating hour later, the coach pulled up, and the liveried tiger jumped from the back to open the door. As he handed them onto the velvet seats, Fenella tried to melt into a corner.
“Don’t think you can disappear into the shadows, young lady. How dare you frighten off one of the few men I convinced to ask you to dance. I don’t understand you at all.” Lady Franklin shook her head, her lashes beginning the familiar martyred flutter. “At least consider your sister. How will she find a good match when you strive to be the pariah of the season? Again!”
“I think it’s ridiculous that Evie can’t be courted until I’m married.” She crossed her arms, turning her gaze out the window. “If I were you, Mother, I’d concentrate on your youngest daughter snaring that title. She’ll make a much better wife for a lord than I would.”
“I’m beginning to agree,” chided her mother.
“You don’t give the gentlemen a chance, Fenella. You are so afraid of rejection that you push them away before they have a chance to like you.” Evie’s voice was quiet but steady. “There is plenty of time for me, and I’m rather enjoying myself so far.”
Fenella rolled her eyes. “Exactly my point. This is torture for me.” But her stomach clenched at her sister’s words.Wasshe pushing suitors away to avoid anotherincident? No, she hated the façade London society wore, their false smiles and scornful looks. Fenella could never be one of them. To belong to someone because of an enormous dowry, her only company those women who despised her, was a fate worse than death. If she was to be lonely, she would choose her own solitary path.
“Well, I’m afraid you have won this time. The on-dits portray you as an eccentric bluestocking.Eccentric.I’ve worked so hard to make a respectable life for us.” Lady Franklin moaned and fell back against the squabs. “And what do I get in return? A churlish daughter who debates my every suggestion.”
Fenella’s eyes stung, and she blinked at the harsh words. That wasn’t fair. Her mother only wanted to improve herownsocial status. It had nothing to do with the happiness of her daughters. Lady Franklin dreamed of being one of theton.Sir Horace’s wealth had opened many doors for his wife, but she’d never been satisfied. A baronet was not a peer. But the earl they had met tonight was perfect.
“Tell us about Lord Brecken. He seemed quite smitten with you, Evie.”
And peace prevailed as Evie recounted their conversation for Lady Franklin.
Once home, Fenella climbed the stairs, wanting only to let her hair down and climb into bed.
“Daughter, you will join me in the study. We will speak to your father now.” Her mother’s icy tone halted one foot in midair.
“But I—”
“Now!”
The sharp command jolted her. She’d gone too far tonight. Her horrendous behavior would be revealed to her father. It wasn’t that Sir Horace was intimidating. The disappointment in his eyes made her stomach clench and her throat thicken with shame. A woeful look from Papa was more devastating than her mother’s worst temper. Head bowed, she entered his sanctuary. Her sanctuary, too, on most days. The smell of leather, paper, and ink comforted her. At least she’d be scolded in her favorite place.
He perched on the edge of the heavy, ornate desk, his handsome face bland as her mother droned on in a petulant tone. He often sat when conversing with his wife, another of his thoughtful gestures that indicated his affection. Though she was not a petite woman, he still towered over her when they stood on equal footing.
Fenella sat quietly, her hands clasped in her lap as her mother recounted the evening at Almack’s. From the description, Lady Franklin had seen every misstep her daughter made.
“When she licked her lips in front of Lord Brooks, I thought he would have an apoplexy.” Lady Franklin glared at her daughter, then at her husband. “Wipe that smirk off your face, Horace. There isnothingamusing about the situation.”
He patted her shoulder and winked at Fenella. “Calm down, my love. Take heart in the fact you have two daughters.”
“Which reminds me of Lord Brecken. The man seemed to take an interest in Evelina.” She laid a hand on her husband’s arm. “Could you make a discreet inquiry when you go to the club? Perhaps he’s recently inherited a penniless estate.”
“I thought Fenella must marry first?”
“After her behavior tonight, I’ve almost given up on her. Did I tell you…”
Fenella glanced at the hot coals, red and white flaring alternately, heating her face as she waited by the hearth for judgment. Her toe poked at thefleur de lispattern beneath her foot, the thick Aubusson carpet soft against the thin leather of her slipper. She focused on the ivory snuff box next to her father’s large hand. His fingers began to drum the glossy surface of his desk, drawing her attention to the stack of papers beneath his well-manicured nails. She wondered vaguely if they were invoices to be entered in the ledgers that week.
“And when I heard her speaking to Lord Denly in that thick Scottish brogue… it was horribly embarrassing. She sounded just like my mother,” Lady Franklin finished in a huff. “Fenella, are you listening?”
“What you aretryingto say”—Sir Horace pinned his daughter with flashing gray eyes—“is Fenella has ruined her chances for this season before the month of April has begun. And if she is allowed to continue, she may destroy her sister’s reputation as well.”
“Well, put that way, itdoessound a bit dramatic.” Her mother pursed her lips. “Horace, this is just as much your doing as hers. To be fair, you did not allow me to train her in the proper way, always pulling her along with you and treating her like a son. Now it’s time for some much-needed discipline. I mean it!”
“Why don’t you wait for me in the parlor, love?” He placed a hand on the small of his wife’s back and propelled her toward the door. “I’ll give her a private reprimand, contrive to stop the prattling tongues, and minimize the damage. I promise.”
“Finally!” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. “I know she’s your favorite, but she must be brought to task. I love her, too, but I am done with this charade. As far as I’m concerned, the chit can stay locked in her room until she sees reason.”
The door clicked shut. Sir Horace smoothed back his thinning hair, the pale blond now mostly white with the progressing years. “Well, my disobedient girl, please tell me what possessed you.”
Fenella couldn’t meet his eyes. Heat flushed her cheeks.
