Page 48 of A Lady's Beloved Novelist
Dear James,
Thank you for your letter, I was pleased to receive an explanation as to why I have not heard from you for some time. Even through the page, I felt as though I could hear your voice as clear as day.
The idea that you are Dean Morris is still one that I struggle to come to terms with. I spoke to you in great length about how I admire him as an author, and also how I wish he would hurry up and write his next book. I also wrote to Dean—or you—and reiterated those same thoughts. I know that in those letters I said an awful lot more than that, but the thought of reliving that is rather embarrassing.
I do wish that you had told me this sooner, especially as now I am going to have to see proof to believe it. My fiancé, Cecil, is claiming that he is the author of those books, and so I have to be sure. Whilst I am more inclined to believe that it is you, I would still wish to see some kind of proof that you are telling me the truth.
I am sorry that everything has unfolded in this way and believe me, I would have certainly liked a different outcome. I look forward to your correspondence again, but I am also aware of how difficult it may be for you to get these letters to me and so I will wait patiently.
Yours,
Andrea
Andrea sighed whilst sitting back and reading over what she had just written. Andrea was not sure how he was going to prove to her that he was telling the truth.
She was careful to hide the letter in one of the locked drawers of her desk. Whilst Cecil had not yet been in her bedroom, she was terrified that he would discover what was at play. The last thing Andrea wanted was to cause a scandal, especially when it was potentially James’ reputation on the line more than hers.
After securing the letters in the drawer, she returned downstairs to speak with Cecil once more. Andrea was not surprised to see that he was still in the main drawing room, though he was staring at one of the maids who was cleaning on the other side of the room.
“Are you really the author?” Andrea asked, catching his attention at once.
Cecil cleared his throat and tried to sit up but quickly slumped back down.
“I am.” He nodded, shrugging his shoulders. “Is not that amazing?”
“So you have received all of the letters that I have written to you…or to Dean Morris, I mean,” Andrea asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Cecil shifted around and his eyes were unable to meet hers.
“Of course,” he said, smiling. “Of course. I get a lot of letters, but I remember yours well.”
She nodded slowly in response to his words, but she did not speak up. Andrea could see that he was clearly uncomfortable, though he was drunk and she could not be sure what was the cause of his anxiety. She was beginning to hate that seeing him in this state was becoming such a common occurrence.
“I am glad. I sent so many that, for a time, I was not sure you were even getting them,” Andrea admitted.
She felt as though she had caught Cecil out, and it was clear to her that he could not have been the author of the books. He had said that he remembered her letters, but Andrea had made sure to sign them all off anonymously. James had mentioned the letters without her having to say anything, and so she felt confident in what he was telling her through the letter.
“Well, rest assured that I got them,” Cecil murmured. Andrea shot him a look, but his attention was already back on the maid on the other side of the room.
*
By the time James received the response from Andrea, he was incredibly nervous that she was going to reject his request to get in contact with him. Bella had delivered the letter to him early the next morning, and he made sure to tell her that he really did appreciate it.
He was so relieved to see that Andrea was accepting of his reasoning for not going to see her, but he could also understand her hesitations. To hear that Cecil was claiming to her that he had written the books caused his blood to boil.
His fists were shaking as he shook his head and tried to comprehend what he was going to do about Cecil. The man was out of control, and his lies were only continuing to grow.
James set to work straight away to respond to Andrea. He hoped his words would convince her that he was in the right and that she was going to be making a big mistake if she married Cecil.
Dearest Andrea,
I am not too sure that I know how to put into words just how pleased I am that you responded to me. I feel that you are walking into a trap by marrying Cecil, but I can also tell that you are beginning to work that out by yourself.
I understand why he has woven so many lies, but to claim to be the author of my books is the final straw—especially when he is the one blackmailing me with such information in the first place. If you would like proof, then you will find it in my next book. It will be out soon, and I will make sure to put something so obvious in it that you will understand it is me who has been writing under the name Dean Morris.
I hope that I can see you soon. But for the time being, this will have to suffice. Your aunt has been a great help to me at this time, and I feel I will never be able to repay the debt I now owe her. She has given me some good advice, but she has also made this possible.
I hope that soon we will see one another in person once more. But until then, keep an eye on the shelves in the book shop in town.
Yours always,
