Chapter 23
The silence in the drawing room was deafening. Javenia had recounted how she come to be in the garden with Algenon to her parents, knowing there was nothing now that could save her reputation. She’d been caught kissing him in the middle of a fountain, her dress clinging to every inch of skin. No one in London would believe it all an accident.
Algenon had two choices. Marry her or let the scandal ruin them both. She, of course, would bear the brunt of it because Society was unfair like that. A woman once fallen was fallen forever, unless she had either wealth or extensive connections like Miss Weston. Then again, only rumors of liaisons followed Miss Weston around, not a full public display.
Algenon’s punishment, however, would not be so long lasting. Eventually, if he behaved himself, he would be considered redeemed and dozens of ladies would flock to him again.
“I believe marriage is your only option.” Her father lifted a steaming teacup to his lips.
Her mother nodded emphatically. “I could not agree more. Once Lord Roberts is well, we will start the marriage contracts.”
Javenia pulled the thick blanket closer about her shoulders and shook her head. “No, Mama. We need to remove to the country.”
“Remove to the country?” Papa set his teacup and saucer down on the side table with a thunk. “Why on earth would we remove to the country? We must not back down now. Such a retreat would only proclaim your guilt rather than clear your name of wrongdoing.”
“But I did do wrong, Papa.” Javenia thought all her tears had run dry, but they came afresh. “Mama once warned me away from trapping Algenon, and that is exactly what I have done. I wanted him to come to me of his own will. Now I am no better than all the other girls who have tried to force his hand.”
Mama reached across the space that divided their chairs and placed a hand on her shoulder. “This is different, my dear. I am certain he would have made you an offer tonight if you’d not been intercepted.”
Javenia dropped her head. “I am not. He may love me, but that does not always equate to marriage. Especially when the woman is already ruined.”
Papa pushed to his feet and paced in front of her. “Nonsense. When we explain to the Ton that you were exchanging tokens of love in order to seal your engagement, all will be forgotten.”
The clock on the mantel ticked and Javenia slumped farther into her seat. “Except that is not how I was ruined, and Lord Roberts knows it. He’d never allow me to marry his son knowing I… seven years ago… that Lord Penwick…” She couldn’t say the words. They caught in her throat, threatening to choke her if she so much as uttered what had happened that night.
Her father stilled and her mother’s hand slipped away from her shoulder. This was the moment she’d feared most over thelast seven years. How could she tell them that their precious firstborn, their initial hope for the future, had been defiled?
“Are you saying—” Her mother’s voice cracked.
Javenia peeked up at her father, who looked like he’d been hit over the head. Stumbling backward, he slumped into a chair. He stared at her for a long moment before he ran a hand over his wrinkled face.
“Did he take advantage of you, my girl?”
“Would I still be your girl if he did?” she choked out.
His eyes widened and he jumped to his feet, crossing the small space between them in three strides. Dropping to a knee beside her chair, he took her hand in his.
“You will always be our girl. Nothing will ever change that.”
Javenia sniffled. “Then you do not blame me?”
Her mother spoke up. “Why would we blame you?”
“Because when Lord Penwick accosted me, I didn’t fight back. I was so frightened at first that I couldn’t even scream.”
“At first?” her father asked.
“When I heard Algenon call my name, it shook me enough to cry out. That is how he came to rescue me, but apparently his father also heard my scream and came to the Hadlow folly that day. He knows I’m sullied, and that is why he’s forbidden a relationship.”
Her parents looked at one another, an entire conversation passing between them without a single word being uttered. Javenia couldn’t stand the silence. Her heart pounded out of her chest as she waited for them to declare her unfit, unwanted, or unloved. She dropped her head into her hands.
Her mother’s arm slipped back around her shoulders. “Vee, you are not sullied, nor ruined, nor worthless, as I am certain you may think. Unfortunately, I am all too aware of the unwanted advancements of unbridled, selfish men.”
Javenia’s head popped up and she looked into eyes so much like her own. They shimmered with unshed tears.
“You?” she whispered.
“Your father has had to put more than one rather forward gentleman in his place when he was too deep in his cups. It is the curse of retaining one’s beauty in a world where men think they ought to get whatever they want.”
