Valaria sighed.She would have to reveal what had happened to her maid eventually.Now was as good a time as ever.“Come into the parlor,” she said while they entered the house and she smiled at Higgins.
Fanny did as she had been instructed and Valaria paced across the room, worrying her hands before her as she tried to find a way to reveal the truth.
It seemed being forthright was the only way that came to mind.
“I…I have agreed to marry the Duke of Blackvale.”
Fanny pivoted and rushed to the door.She slammed it shut and faced Valaria again.“You cannot do that, Your Grace.You cannot!”
Valaria bent her head.“I understand your fears—”
“Do you?Could you?”Fanny interrupted.“Webothwere involved with what happened to your husband that night.Webothplayed a part.And there is no way that the Duke of Blackvale won’t figure it out eventually, either by seducing the truth out of you or putting the pieces together himself, especially if you are married.And where will that leave us?You’ll be protected, won’t you?His name will protect you, at the very least to subvert a scandal.But a servant like me?”
Valaria moved toward her.“I would never allow you to be accused.”
“You say that, but in that moment when you could protect yourself?You have no idea what you would do.Or what he would do, this man who was Gooding’s closest friend.You cannot guarantee my protection if you become Duchess of Blackvale.”
“Fanny,” Valaria began, but before she could finish, Higgins knocked on the door.
“The Duchesses Tunbridge and Sidmouth have arrived, Your Grace,” he said through the door.
Valaria glanced toward the barrier.“Show them in after a moment,” she called out.As they heard Higgins shuffle away, she took Fanny’s hands.“I do understand your feelings, but there is no stopping the inevitable now.I was foolish enough that it cannot be avoided.”
Fanny’s nostrils flared.“Oh, Your Grace,” she muttered.
Valaria pursed her lips at the censure.One she surely deserved.“I-I’m sorry.And you may not believe me, but I will do all in my power to protect you.”
Fannydidn’tlook like she believed that.She lifted her chin, clearly holding back a great deal because of her position.“I hope that is true.May I be excused?”
Valaria hesitated a moment.She wanted to say so much more, but she could see her maid was upset.She deserved those feelings.And perhaps after a little while, she would calm down enough to continue the conversation.“Of course.”
Fanny stepped away and exited the room just as Flora and Bernadette entered.Both women glanced toward her, but then refocused on Valaria.It seemed she would be sharing her “good” news with everyone all at once today.And she could only hope her friends would react better than Fanny had.
“We were so worried,” Flora began as she moved to embrace her.
“You looked positively sick this afternoon at the Duchess of Amberleigh’s gathering and you have not been yourself for days,” Bernadette said.“Oh, please, Valaria, won’t you trust us?Tell us what is going on and how we can be of help.”
Valaria shut her eyes and let out a ragged sigh before she motioned to the settee, where she took a place, her friends on either side of her.And then she told them what had happened at the party earlier in the day.And what would happen because of her reckless abandon when it came to Callum.
“Married!”Flora and Bernadette declared together when her story was over.
Every time she heard that word, it felt like a bell ringing in her head.Joyful and warning all at once.A cacophony that blanked out all other thought and sound and breath.
“Yes,” she said, bending her head.“What else is there to do?The duchess was correct that Lady Pittsgreen could hurt Callum’s reputation by telling her sordid tale of finding us together.And at least if we marry, it will look as though it is an undeniable love that brought us together.”
“As opposed to…” Flora encouraged gently.
Valaria shook her head as she got up and paced away.“It was only supposed to be an affair,” she said.“It never would have come to this if we hadn’t been so irresponsible.”She glanced at them.“What you two must think of me now.”
Bernadette snorted less than delicately.“What I think is that you deserve happiness and it is clear that you are drawn to Callum.That he could make you happy if you allowed him.”
There it was.The thought she always chased away whenever she dared to have it.That Callum could make her happy.That shewashappy when she was around him, perhaps for the first time in years…decades.
“He…he told me he loves me,” she whispered.“Twice.”
Flora caught her breath, and she and Bernadette swiftly exchanged a look.“It is clear that is true,” she said.“On every line of his face.”
Valaria nodded slowly.
