Page 52 of A Literary Liaison
I’m humbled by love’s power to undo my once-prized emotionalfortitude. Your honesty about falling in love easily is refreshing, and I envy your open heart.
Your words about a single interaction’s power to alter souls also comfort me. I’ve questioned my foolishness in being so affected by a brief encounter, and your assurance brings solace.
While I dare not hope the gentleman shares my sentiments, your kindness has become a light in these dark days.
Might I inquire further about your own heart’s battle? I assure you of my discretion, as we’ve indeed become confidants.
With deepest gratitude,
E. Lovelace
He braced his hands against the study window, watching raindrops trace paths down the glass like the tears he refused to shed.
“I dare not hope the gentleman shares my sentiments…”
Her pain was palpable. He had allowed her to believe she was a passing fancy. That he wanted everything from her while giving little of himself. Her scent still seemed to cling to his coat from their last encounter—lavender and jasmine, innocence and temptation wound together. He should burn the damned thing.
“I cannot promise matrimony,”he had told her. He could hardly contain the anger he felt with himself and their circumstances. He gripped the windowpane as if to shatter it.
“What happened? What’s this about?”
Carlisle’s voice startled him. Edgar turned around to face his friends whose expressions were etched with worry.
“Apologies,” he said hoarsely, approaching the group. “I suppose you might as well hear it.”
He proceeded to recount the entire story for Carlisle’s and Charlotte’s benefit—his dual identity as Steele, the wager, his growing feelings for Elisha, and the impossible situation he now found himself in. As he spoke, Edgar felt both relief at unburdening himself and apprehension at how Charlotte, who came from humble circumstancesherself, might view his difficulty.
When he finished, Carlisle whistled low. “That’s quite a predicament you’ve got yourself into, Lancaster.”
“When you say Miss Linde, do you mean Miss Elisha Linde?” Charlotte asked, her eyes brightening with recognition.
Edgar leaned forward eagerly. “Why, yes. Are you acquainted with her?”
“We are good friends, as I am with Miss Amelia Thornton. We bonded when we attended protests together a decade ago.”
Edgar felt his heart lift. “How serendipitous!”
Carlisle grinned. “Surely there must be a way to resolve this situation? I’m an earl and I managed to wed my Charlotte without a hitch.”
All the men stared at him in disbelief. Adams spoke dryly, “Your earldom was but one year old, and you were a stevedore before then. It hardly holds the same prestige as Lancaster’s dukedom.”
Edgar added, “And you had to move heaven and earth to marry your beloved. Do you not recall the misery you and your countess experienced?”
Carlisle’s brows furrowed while Charlotte stared at her husband with obvious amusement.
“How convenient that you have no memory of the suffering you bestowed upon me,” she said with fond exasperation.
“I recall what a scoundrel I was to you, darling. I suppose our issues were entirely different,” Carlisle admitted sheepishly.
Just as Adams was about to respond, Charlotte’s eyes lit up. “What if we were to make Miss Linde the most famous critic in London? Endear her to theton? Make her the most desirable and celebrated person. If thetonwants to be seen with her, you will not face any backlash. They will support you politically and socially.”
The group paused, each contemplating the suggestion. Edgar felt a glimmer of hope stir in his chest. “And how do you propose we do that?”
Hereford leaned forward, excitement building in his voice. “Start by writing to her again as Steele. Increase the stakes of your wager. Make it something the entire literary world will be watching.”
Edgar nodded slowly, his mind beginning to race with possibilities. “What sort of stakes did you have in mind?”
Edgar listened intently as his friends spent the next hour crafting an elaborate plan. They decided on a special contest with a monetary award where readers across London would answer questions about Steele’s and Lovelace’s works. Whoever gave the most accurate and best responses would win. Readers would also vote for their favorite between the two tales. This would involve public readings by actors for those who couldn’t afford to purchase the books.
