Chapter 8
Cordelia was sitting at her dressing table, considering her options, when a housemaid approached her door.
“My lady.” The maid curtseyed. “I am sorry to interrupt, but you have a caller.”
“Who is it?” Cordelia asked, not at all sure if she wished for company.
“Lady Celia, ma’am.”
Cordelia huffed an unladylike sigh. Of all the people who might call on her, she’d never have guessed Celia. Not after how she’d betrayed Cordelia.
“Should I inform the lady that you are not home to callers?” The maid asked.
Cordelia considered turning Celia away, but decided she would like the company. Even though Celia had betrayed her, they were still friends, and Celia knew everything that had transpired between Cordelia and Nathaniel—leastwise, everything until their wedding. She might be the perfect person for Cordelia to talk with.
She waved her hand and said, “I will see her. Show her to the gold parlor, and have tea and biscuits sent.”
“Right away, my lady.” The maid bobbed a curtsey then backed from the room.
Fifteen minutes later, Cordelia stared at Celia, disbelieving the woman dared to call on her and being exceedingly grateful at the same time.
She did so need a friend. Someone she could speak frankly with and unload her burdens on. It seemed only fitting that Celia would be that friend.
After all, it was she who set this entire disaster in motion. Cordelia sighed. She was being unfair, and she knew it. Celia was not to blame for the whole catastrophe, only the part where Nathaniel discovered her condition. Regardless, Cordelia could scarcely hold a grudge against Celia when she well knew her friend did what she thought best for everyone involved.
“I must admit to being surprised at your visit, though I am pleased to see you,” Cordelia said, as she lowered herself onto the settee across from Celia.
Celia blushed and averted her gaze for a heartbeat before returning it to Cordelia. “I feared you might be cross with me and wanted to allow some time for you to adjust. Otherwise, I would have called sooner.”
Cordelia grinned, a little laugh escaping her. “I was quite vexed. In fact, I only just forgave you.”
Celia played with a fold in her skirt as she said, “I never wanted to hurt you. I only wanted what was best for you and the child.”
“I know,” Cordelia said, “though I doubt marriage to Nathaniel is best. All we have done is argue, and I fear for the life we will provide for our child.” Cordelia wondered how much she should reveal, given Celia’s inability to keep secrets. But then, were any of Cordelia’s fears truly secret?
“Perhaps I can help, that is, if you would like to confide in me. I do so wish to see you happy, Cordelia.” Celia offered a genuine smile. “I will not deny that I am given to meddling, but you have my word, I will keep your confidence.”
Cordelia returned the smile. She truly needed someone to talk to, and when one considered how much Celia already knew—well, what harm could come from confiding in her? And so Cordelia told Celia everything that had transpired since the day Nathaniel burst into her family home and demanded marriage.
She reached for a biscuit as she finished the tale. “After this morning’s argument, Nathaniel stormed from the house.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “I cannot live like this, nor can I force my child to.”
“I can certainly understand your desire to have a peaceful, loving home.” Celia sipped her tea.
“Then you agree, I must disappear?”
Celia shook her head. “Heavens no. I think you should lower your defenses. At least enough to get to know Nathaniel. Perhaps if you understood him, his past, his hopes for the future, you could overcome your objections.”
“My objection is to being saddled with a rogue. Getting to know him will not change the fact that he is a rake.”
“Many men are rogues before they marry. It is not at all uncommon. Neither is it uncommon for a rogue to reform. All I am saying is that you never know. He could devote himself to you and the child. You could be happy. It is even possible that the two of you could find love. But only if you allow him a chance.”
Cordelia nibbled her lip. “Part of me desperately wants to give the union a chance. I am attracted to my husband and cannot deny that we share a passion, but that is exactly the thing that scares me. If I lower my defenses, I may well fall in love with him. And then what?”
Celia patted Cordelia’s hand and smiled. “What if he falls in love with you? Then the two of you will have everything you want.”
“But what if he does not come to love me? Or what if his love is short-lived and he tires of me?” Cordelia asked, running all sorts of horrid scenarios through her head. “What would happen to our happy home? To the child and me?”
“Anyone who pretended to have those answers would be a liar. But I can tell you that love is always a gamble. Even if one falls for a proper gentleman, there are no guarantees he will return the lady’s affections and be faithful for all their days.”
