Meredith’s ears burned at the condemnation. What was even more distressing was knowing she had no plausible defense of her actions to offer. Shehadlured the marquess into the garden last evening. The fact that Lady Olivia was apparently unaware of the reason Meredith had wanted to be alone with the marquess offered up only a tiny bit of solace.
Swallowing hard, Meredith felt her palms begin to dampen.Stop it!Now was not the time to become panicky. She must face this head on and emerge the victor, or else her disgrace would forever taint the family’s good name. Though she cared not overmuch for herself, Meredith did not want her parents or younger brothers to suffer for her foolishness.
What she really needed was a few moments of solitude so she could better consider her current difficulties. Yet Meredith keenly realized nothing short of crying fire would effectively clear Lady Olivia from the room. Meredith instead plastered a relaxed smile upon her lips and casually turned the page of the book of poems she had been reading as if she had not a care in the world.
After counting silently to twenty, she looked up, pinning Lady Olivia with a deliberate stare.
Meredith knew the older woman was watching her closely, aching for a glimpse of her true feelings. Did she feel remorse for her indiscretion? Embarrassment? Delight? Though she was resigned to this most unwelcome scrutiny Meredith was as equally determined to let no hint of her inner self betray her.
“Long ago I resigned myself to enduring the unfair and unfounded arrows of jealousy slung in my direction. In all these years, not a breath of scandal has ever crossed my path, though many have tried to lay disgrace upon my doorstep. Small minds and plain faces are a most lethal combination, are they not, Lady Olivia?”
The older woman’s snide smile quickly disappeared. She hesitated, clearly trying to decide whether or not she had been directly insulted. Meredith thought it best not to give her adversary too long to dwell upon the matter and hastened toward the door.
“I greatly appreciate your call this afternoon, Lady Olivia. You have no idea how enlightening I found our conversation.”
Lady Olivia stiffened fractionally, but after a forceful nudge in her back, stepped forward.
“Good day, Lady Meredith.”
“Farewell.”
Only with the door shut firmly did Meredith allow herself to crumple. For a moment.
Even as she had kissed the marquess last night, she had realized life as she had known it would never be the same. Yet that did not mean she had to succumb to the inevitable. She had endured the censure of Society during her first Season and had survived the ever present undercurrent of disapproval since that time.
“Are my brothers still abed?” Meredith asked Perkins the moment the butler answered her summons.
“Yes, I believe Lord Fairhurst and Mr. Barrington have not yet left their chambers.” The butler hesitated and then added, “Considering the lateness of their arrival home last evening, it is hardly surprising.”
“Kindly inform Lord Fairhurst’s valet that I require my brother’s company in one hour’s time. I wish to go for a drive in the park, and I need his lordship to accompany me.”
The servant turned to leave, and Meredith hastily added one final order. “Oh and, Perkins, I am not at home to any more callers this afternoon. No exceptions.”
“I understand, my lady.”
This time when the door closed, Meredith felt less agitated, more in control. Somehow she would figure out a way to escape this disaster. With fortitude, courage and determination, this too could be overcome.
The morning rain had washed the London streets clean of their usual debris. For now, the air was sweet smelling and fresh, the thoroughfare just beginning to once again team with life. As they clipped along in the open phaeton, Meredith wished she could enjoy the smell of freshness, but her mind was too focused on the task ahead to indulge her senses in her surroundings.
“Do be careful,” Meredith calmly said to her brother Jasper, who was holding the carriage reins nonchalantly. “There are hidden dangers in these rain puddles—deep ruts and broken cobblestones. A fractured carriage wheel will no doubt cause us a great deal of aggravation, as well as drawing an inordinate amount of unwanted attention.”
Jasper skittered sideways, neatly avoiding an ominous looking puddle. “I know what I’m doing,” he replied, crinkling his nose in disgust at the admonishment. “I’ve been driving a carriage in London for years.”
“You have also had more than one accident, if I recall,” Meredith said pointedly.
“I’ve never overturned a vehicle when I was sober,” Jasper retorted.
Meredith bit her bottom lip and held it tightly between her teeth until they rounded the next corner. Now was not the time to begin a lecture on responsibility and acceptable behavior, especially given that her behavior last night was the reason she needed to make this fashionable appearance at the park.
So she focused her gaze instead on the high-stepping horses pulling the coach and realized she had never seen the pair before. “I do not recall seeing these animals in the stable. Are these the infamous bays you won in your bet with the marquess?”
“The very same,” Jasper replied cheerfully. “Dardington had them brought ’round first thing this morning. Aren’t they beauties?”
“Lovely,” Meredith responded dryly. “I assume I have your word as a gentleman that you will never again wager away these poor beasts?”
Jasper slanted her a jaded look. “ ’Tis hardly necessary to harp upon the matter, Merry. Jason and I have already agreed we would share the horses, therefore making it impossible for one of us to sell or otherwise dispose of them.”
Meredith turned to her brother with a cool smile. “Agreements between you and Jason are like the wind. They blow hot and cold with unfailing regularity.”
