Page 2 of Lusting for the Duke's Kiss
“I … I understand, what you have told me,” she said eventually. “What I do not understand is how this has happened. When it happened.”
The solicitor cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Mr Blackmore, your husband approached my solicitor’s office a weekago,” he said, fidgeting on the edge of the longue. “He told me that he needed to sell this house urgently and would be open to offers. I was able to secure a buyer who wishes to take possession of the house immediately.”
“Immediately?” she echoed, hearing her voice as if from far away. “What does that mean for me?”
The man’s eyes boggled. “It means, madam, that you must vacate this house within fourteen days from today’s date,” he said, his mouth twisting. “Your husband has not intimated this to you at all?”
Hetty’s face flushed painfully. “My husband has walked out on me, Mr Baldwin,” she replied. “He left a note for me, informing me of his abandonment. I woke up this morning and found it.” She took a deep, shuddering breath. “He did not tell me anything in this note, about the fact he had sold the house without my knowledge. He has not seen fit to tell me anything.”
Mr Baldwin looked shocked. “I thought it odd that he wanted me to come here and tell you myself,” he said. “Most irregular, but I agreed. You have the note, informing you that he has abandoned you?”
Hetty’s heart sank, thinking of the note, which was now ashes in the fire. She had been too impetuous in doing that. She hadn’t thought that perhaps she might need proof of what he had done to her. What he was still doing.
She shook her head. “I … I burnt it in a fit of passion,” she said, appalled to hear the tremor in her voice. “I was not thinking clearly. Mr Baldwin, is there any way – any way at all – that this sale can be reversed?”
He shook his head slowly, his face creased in sympathy. “I am afraid not, Mrs Blackmore. The legalities have all been completed.” He cleared his throat again. “Mr and Mrs Howe are now the legal owners of the property. I am afraid that you have no choice but to vacate as soon as possible.”
Hetty was silent as she digested this. Not only was she an abandoned wife, but now she had no home, as well. He had taken everything away from her.
Why? Why has he done this to me?
“It is a pity that you burnt that note,” continued the solicitor, shaking his head. “Even though your husband’s abandonment is obvious, you do not have proof that was his intention, now … if you decide to appeal to the courts, to seek a divorce, that is …”
Hetty looked at him so horrified that for a moment she simply could not speak. The word hung in the air between them like a dirty piece of laundry. Divorce.
Her mind reeled once more. No, she could not do such a thing.Divorce was virtually unheard of amongst her class. The taint of it was so foul that she doubted any lady could recover from it. It was bad enough being abandoned, butdivorced?
Her life was over. She would never recover from this scandal.
Mr Baldwin sighed heavily. “Of course, there is proof that your husband sought sale of this property prior to your wedding day,” he said thoughtfully. “There may be just cause to claim that such an act shows that he intended to do this. That it was a calculated act …”
Hetty’s colour deepened. The shame of it. Of course, it was all calculated. Frank had claimed in the note that he had only just realised he could not go through with the marriage – that even though he had been having cold feet in the lead up to it, that his decision to flee was spontaneous.
He had lied. He had been lying to her for quite a while.
He had planned this. He had calculatingly sold their house without her knowledge before they had even exchanged their vows. He had intended to desert her. He had just been waiting until they were legally wed, to do it.
Why? For the love of God … why?
She cast her mind back, desperately, searching for clues. Trying to piece together the puzzle. But there was simply nothing that she could think of. He had always acted as if he were thrilled to be marrying her, in a muted way, of course.
He had always been a proper gentleman, never trying to take liberties with her, as she had heard that some fiancés did. Frank had never even tried to kiss her. A dry peck on the cheek was the most intimate contact that they had ever had.
It had pleased her during their engagement that he was such a gentleman. She had thought that it showed how much respect he had for her, that he was unwilling to compromise her before their wedding. But now, it didn’t seem that way at all. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, it seemed that Frank had no desire for her.
He had never cared for her. He had never intended to live alongside her, as husband and wife. This had all been part of a larger plan. He had been pretending all along.
Her humiliation was complete.
Quickly, she stood up. “Mr Baldwin, thank you for coming here,” she said quietly. “But I am afraid that I must lie down now. I am sure you will understand the shock of what you have just told me, and what else has happened to me today.” She took a deep breath. “I shall vacate the property within the fourteen days that you have specified.”
The solicitor stood up hastily, almost spilling his cup as he placed it on a side table. “Of course, of course Mrs Blackmore,” he said. “Quite understandable in the circumstances.” He paused. “You have my sympathy. That Mr Blackmore could do such a thing to such a charming and lovely lady as yourself …”
Hetty took a deep breath. “Yes, well, ithashappened, and I just have to deal with it now. Good day, Mr Baldwin. I am sure you have done everything that you must.”
***
After the solicitor had taken his leave, Hetty wandered around the silent house, going into every room. She trailed a hand over the furniture. She was growing detached now; she had never had a chance to make any of this her own, and soon, it would all be gone, at any rate. Best that she had not grown attached. To be ripped out of this house at a later time would be even worse.
