Page 40 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
Josephine stopped what she was doing and let out a heavy sigh, saying nothing in return. She looked off into the distance in a daze, and Lettie could tell she was deep in thought
“Oh, I do not like the sound of all this,” Lettie warned as she continued to clear the table.
“I have a terrible secret, Lettie," Josephine almost sobbed out the words as she fought back the tears. "It weighs heavily on my heart.”
“Whatever can it be?” her friend asked. "Is this why you want to leave all those who love you?”
“I have been kissed," Josephine said the words quickly as if she could not wait to get them out of her mouth.
"Phew! I hardly think that to be such a bad thing," Lettie said, relieved that her troubles were not that serious.
"I have not told you it all yet," Josephine continued. "I was kissed by …by Ethan.” At that statement, she looked at Lettie, waiting for the shock to hit her.
“Goodness me, Josephine,” Lettie exclaimed as she nearly dropped a large crystal plate. “No wonder you are so vexed.”
“I know. It has been praying on my mind, but it was so very wonderful, Lettie,” Josephine explained. Lettie witnessed Josephine smile for the first time that morning. “It was perfect, and he was so gentle and—”
“No! Stop it!” Lettie cried out, not realising that she had spoken her words so loudly. “You cannot allow it to happen ever again.”
“I know. That is why my life here has become very difficult,” Josephine replied, relieved to have told someone of her dilemma.
“I have heard tell of noblemen who take advantage of their servants,” Lettie spoke hushed words, looking around to make sure no one was listening. “I do not want you to become a gentleman’s mistress, it will do you no good.”
“I have no intentions of being anyone’s mistress!" Josephine declared at the insult. "You do not understand. You see, Ethan told me that he loved me. I found myself unable to resist his touch.” She confessed all, for she could bear it no longer, “I love him, Lettie, what am I to do?”
“You have to avoid him as much as you can, that is my advice,” Lettie immediately replied. Although she pitied her friend, she was also annoyed that Josephine had allowed it to happen. “Lordy knows, I hope no one saw you both together?”
“That is another problem. I am not sure of that because I thought I had heard footsteps nearby,” Josephine revealed. “I do not know who it was, or if they saw us together. A part of me does not care because my love for him is so very deep.”
“I can see that your love is genuine. But you have to stop it now. I do not want you to become the target of malicious gossipers, Josephine," Lettie said, confused at the whole situation. "This is so unlike you, allowing such a thing to happen.”
“I know. You are quite right. I also know what I should do, but it is difficult because I truly do love him,” Josephine said. "Why does love have to be so complicated?"
“You are living in a dream world,” Lettie insisted. “You know that Lord Ethan can only marry a woman of the highest status, and that woman is not you, Josephine Chapple!”
Josephine's eyes looked down at the ground as if she could no longer bear to look at her friend.
“If he cannot marry you, then will only lead to you becoming his mistress, and you do not want that, surely?” Lettie pleaded.
“I want to be with Ethan, that is all I know,” Josephine replied. A movement to her side caught her eye, and she looked over to see Cedric standing there. His glare was so harsh that his eyes were fixated on her. She had no idea how long he had been there, or how much he had heard.
“Lord Cedric, may I help you?” Lettie said, turning in the direction of her friend's shocked stare.
Cedric said not a word. He continued to glare at Josephine as he approached the breakfast table. There he stopped, his only turning as he snapped up his hat from the chair where he had been seated. Josephine was mesmerised, like a frightened rabbit looking into the eyes of a fox. Was that fox going to pounce on her any moment?
With one last glare, Cedric turned and briskly walked away. Josephine watched him go as he headed towards a horse that was being held by a groom. Once he was mounted, he galloped away at speed.
What if he had heard her confession?
“This is a terrible situation to be in, Lettie,” Josephine said, turning to her friend. “You can see now, why I may have to leave. There may be no other option.”
Chapter 32
After he had finished afternoon tea with Aunt Geraldine, Ethan made his way to the library. There, he was going to confess his love for Josephine to his father. Excitement was growing in his mind at the thought of finally being free to share his life with the woman he loved. This would be a good day, a day that would be the start of his future happiness.
He quietly opened the large wooden door and entered the library. The first thing he heard was the rhythmic ticking of the pendulum in the mahogany longcase clock. A family heirloom that had stood in the same place all his life. Its bell sounded out on the hour every hour, and Ronald, the house butler, cared for it like it was a beloved child.
Ethan smiled to himself with fond memories of the clock. He recalled the loud tick-tocking of the clock on occasions when he would sit in the room with Josephine. Each read their book in silence. Enjoying their solitary task, but also relishing the moments they shared together.
