He now knew what kind of woman would willing expose herself to the eyes and appetites of men. One who was driven to succeed in her profession, even though society frowned on it, because acting was her passion. That woman was funny and kind and enlivened his quiet life.
Clarissa became interested in his charity work. As she had lived in the Duke Street Orphanage, she had ideas about how such institutions could be improved, from a resident child’s perspective. He planned to present her suggestions to Jane, whom he was sure would assist him in swaying the Mission’s board to implement them.
Most of all, Francis learned that he and Clarissa got along very well. Resisting his attraction to Clarissa became harder every day. Naturally, he stayed away from home for as long as possible.
Once his sisters returned, Clarissa would be able to move to their school in Harley Street. That location and the presence there of Joe, the porter, would keep her safe from her Viscount Travener’s attentions.
Then, this dangerous interlude while she resided in his rooms would thankfully end. No more dressing her as a clergyman to enter and exit. No more resisting her growing allure and the desire to kiss her. No more reading scripts together while he enjoyed her vivacious company.
In the afternoon of New Year’s Day, they exited his rooms and hurrieddownstairs and out the front door of Atcherley Chambers on their way to The Regent Theatre. It was his daily habit to escort Clarissa there at dusk, well before her performance. They had done this so many times without detection, so Francis barely glanced around to ensure they were alone.
The heavy front door closed behind them. A hand came to rest on his forearm. The overwhelming scent of lavender accosted his nose. “Francis Brody? It is you! I was about to send a note up to you. To invite you to a recital with Papa and I.” She nodded towards a street urchin hovering a few steps away, ready to do her bidding.
Fanny!His unofficial fiancée.
Francis’s stomach lurched.
The woman’s quiet voice pressed into his conscience like fingertips on an unhealed wound.Her dark clothes blended into the failing light. No wonder he hadn’t noticed her. His eyes searched the gloom for her father, but saw only a female servant lurking on the other side of the road.How came she to be here, unescorted by Reverend Hodges?
Good Lord, what was he to do?Bluff it out?He bestowed a smile on her. “Fanny, allow me to introduce Mr. Clarence Bartlett. Bartlett, meet Miss Hodges.”
Fanny’s attention drifted over to Clarissa and she took a long slow look at her. A crease formed between Fanny’s eyebrows, then her face registered shock. Her brown eyes were wide as she returned her gaze to him, so wide they seemed to prise open his heart and release the truth within.I don’t love her. And now she’s found out in the most hurtful way.
Fanny’s mouth turned down and her eyes narrowed. Already a plain woman, her face wasn’t improved by her scowl. “Don’t lie to me, Francis Brody. Or is it to yourself? I can tell a woman dressed as a man when I see one.” Her chin lifted, but her bottom lip puckered at his betrayal.She sent him a look of pained disappointment. “What I want to know is why she is leaving your lodgings with you?”
He needed to calm her. “It is not as it appears, Fanny. We are innocent of any misconduct.”
“I don’t believe you!” He had never heard such a harsh tone from her before. Her upper lip curled in contempt. “I see what you are now, Francis Brody. A sinner, with your doxy!” Fanny’s voice scraped over his conscience like fingernails on a blackboard.
Could this get any worse?“You’re assumption is wrong,” he replied calmly. “Fanny, I—”
“If you think I will remain affianced to you after this, you are mistaken!”
Francis straightened his back and lifted his chin. “That is your prerogative.”Please release me from my obligation.He clenched his jaw to stop himself smiling.Something good might come of this disaster. “That is your right, of course.”
“Indeed it is. I could never marry one such as you. You’re a disgrace to the church. I’ll have to tell my father, you know. Wait until he informs the bishop of your behavior.” Vindictive malevolence filled her voice.
His stomach knotted at her words and the fervor in her voice.Of course, there will be hell to pay for this.
“Fanny, please—”
Her reticule hit him on the side of the head. Stinging exploded across his boxed ear. Fanny continued to vent in a low, waspish voice. This was a newly revealed side of her nature. She had always been meek, demure and softly spoken. He covered his battered ear with a hand. Of course, he deserved her ire, but he hadn’t expected it to be so physically painful.
Fanny raised her arm to deliver another blow.
Clarissa’s hand snaked out from beside him, catching his ex-fiancée’s arm and stopping its arc towards his head. “I think not,” Clarissa growled. “Find yourself another punching bag.”
Fanny drew herself up to her full height, middling though it was, and tugged her arm free. “You’ve not heard the end of this, Francis Brody.” She stomped away, to be quickly swallowed by the foggy winter’s day. Her maid hurried in her wake.
“Are you all right?” Concern filled Clarissa’s mellow voice.
He grimaced. “Nothing hurt except my pride.” The tang of bitterness filled his mouth. He must think. Fanny would be on her way to tell her father everything, and he would be at the bishop’s palace tomorrow morning to fill that man’s ear with Francis’s sins. He hoped no one else had heard what Fanny had to say.
Guilt-fueled anger coiled in his belly, and he was distraught about the upset the scene must have caused Clarissa. But at the same time, euphoria flowed through his veins in relief at his unexpected release from his no-longer-wanted engagement to Miss Hodges.
Finally he was a free man again.
Free to pursue his feelings for Clarissa. If she would allow him. The chances of that were slim to none, but he had to try…because he suspected he loved her already.
