An Artful Deception (19 page)

They settled beside the fire, holding hands and reading love sonnets. Katharine felt she would be content to stay there forever. Yet, when Lizzy finally came to see her to bed, she had to admit that she was growing quite drowsy. It had been such a long and exciting day that she fell asleep before her head hit the pillow.

The morning ride in the park proved exhilarating. Katharine cantered along beside Philip on a gentle gray mare. They rode the trail, nodding and speaking when they met gentlemen from Philip’s club. Katharine returned pink cheeked and ready to join Lady Charlesworth who had invited her to breakfast with her.

They chatted about the weather and Katharine’s penchant for riding before Lady Charlesworth turned the conversation to what concerned her. “I can well put the whole unfortunate charade behind us for the sake of your mother. What remains is to explain to my friends how you have gone from being my lady’s maid to being my guest. The matrons have sharp eyes, you know. Those to whom you have accompanied me will be sure to recognize you, even if you effect a change of dress.”

She sighed and said, “Oh, what shall we do?”

Katharine suggested, “Perhaps if I remain in seclusion for a time, they will forget all about me.”

Lady Charlesworth shook her head. “And what of poor Philip? Is he to be deprived of female companionship during the entire length of the season? Surely you would not have him continue to escort Miss Buckley, though she is a lovely girl. Yet, if he did not escort her, someone would be sure to notice his neglect. And how would I explain?”

“
Yes, I see the problem.”

“
But do you have a solution?”

Katharine had to admit that, indeed, she did not.

Lady Charlesworth wrinkled her pale brow. “It has been quite vexing and has given me a headache for days. Yet I was determined to take the situation in hand and find a solution. And I believe that I have thought of one.”

She paused to enjoy her own triumph. “Indeed, I have thought of one. And it is most clever, if I say so myself. My dear girl, we shall not be ruined after all; for I believe that it will work.”

Lady Charlesworth clapped her hands, delighted to share her plan. “Though I must admit that my idea is rather unoriginal, I do not believe that it will be proclaimed a falsehood, at least not to our faces. As to what is said behind our backs, I do not want to imagine. Nonetheless, I believe it will serve to restore you to society.”

Katharine had leaned forward in her chair, curious as to what Lady Charlesworth planned to concoct and not a little worried by the prospect. “What would you have me to do, my lady?”

“
I would have you regain your memory. It was lost, you see, when you suffered the terrible accident that killed your maid and companion. It is understandable that such a terrible shock would dislodge a person’s mind. Do you not think it possible, for I certainly do?”

Lady Charlesworth’s cheeks had grown pink with enthusiasm for her scheme to rescue Katharine from social censure. “We cannot tell the truth. Surely you see how impossible that would be. While Philip might gain sympathy from your unwarranted ploy, he would not be expected to continue company with you. And I know that the dearest desire of his heart is to fulfill the wish of both your parents and his own. He has always been a most dutiful son in that regard.”

Katharine repressed a smile at the notion that Philip did not have his own strong ideas about the matter of marriage. She felt convinced that, should he not find a young lady of romantic interest, no amount of planning or pleading would change his mind. It made her all the more aware of her good fortune in falling in love with a man who loved her in return.

She brought her attention back to Lady Charlesworth, who was thick into the details of the quickly conceived scheme. “I shall take you calling with me to a few selected matrons. You must powder your face to look very pale. Then, I shall tell the story of your terrible ordeal.”

She paused and sniffed. “It nearly brings tears to my own eyes to think of how pitiful you shall appear. And we shall say that I began to notice small things about you that convinced me you were not who you appeared. And through my gentle persistence, you were rescued and your memory returned.”

Lady Charlesworth, so touched by the valiance of her deed, wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I think it will work.”

Katharine did not relish the part into which she had been cast. Yet, having no plan of her own, she could not think of an objection that was likely to dissuade the lady. And since she had confided her deliberate deception to a very few people, it was not likely that anyone would dispute the story.

So, with some reluctance, she agreed to her part.

“
I believe we will begin calling tomorrow. Then, perhaps we might go back to the country for a short stay, only a month or so. The season will still be young when we return and you and Philip may begin afresh.”

They finished their tea and Lady Charlesworth swept up to her chambers for a rest after the mental strain of solving this thorny problem. Katharine summoned Lizzy and retired to her own chamber where she related the details of the plan.

Lizzy grinned when she had heard it. “It is a rather smart way to avoid a scandal.”

Katharine sighed. “I suppose you are right. But Lizzy, you should have heard her. I shall have to sit like a silly goose while she tells all the matrons how I lost my memory and Lady Charlesworth brought it back for me.”

Lizzy could not suppress a giggle. “Perhaps it will be worth it if it gains her good favor.”

Katharine smiled up as Lizzy brushed out her hair. “You are right, of course. If it makes her feel good and solves the problem, I shall go along gracefully, or as nearly as I can manage.”

When Philip collected her to walk in the garden that evening he could not help teasing. “I understand that it was your faulty memory and not my charming character that drove you to your pretense. You cannot imagine my relief.”

“
I shall be vastly relieved when the entire matter has been put behind us. The only thing that gives me comfort is that your mother has forgiven me. I should not like for us to be enemies.”

“
Indeed, she will think highly of you if you play your part well.”

Katharine smiled. “I shall do my best.”

He turned her to face him and stared down into her eyes. She felt her heart leap as she saw the tender longing in his gaze. He brushed the tip of a finger across her lips and said, “This afternoon, I told my mother that we are officially engaged. She was quite excited. She always wanted a daughter to dote upon and show off to her friends.”

“
I hope that I shall prove acceptable.”

“
You are acceptable to me, though I have no desire to show you off to any of the old tabbies. If I could, I would keep you all to myself.”

He leaned down and claimed her lips in a gentle kiss.

Katharine shivered with delight. She wished his kiss could last forever, for the sweet possession of her lips made her forget all that had gone wrong since she had begun this trip. She knew only that she felt, once again, safe and protected and loved. It was a comfort that she had nearly despaired of ever achieving. And she was grateful that her own folly had not robbed her of what was meant to be.

They parted reluctantly as Cook clattered out the back door on her way to market to purchase fresh fowl. Resuming their walk, Katharine commented, “Lady Charlesworth believes that we should retire to the country for a month or so before we re-enter the London season. Do you think it prudent?”

“
I do. In the country, we shall be able to spend every evening together instead of being expected to attend assemblies and tedious parties where I am expected to engage in endless games of loo.”

Katharine laughed. “I take it that you do not share your mother’s enthusiasm for outings?”

Philip shook his head in emphatic denial. “Indeed madam, I do not. I am much like my father in that regard.”

“
Then we must both enjoy the country; soak it into our very souls, so that we may return with the fortitude to humor your mother, for I am sure that she expects a good many parties and engagement celebrations.”

He deposited her at the back door of the house. “I shall take that as a promise of your intent to share this saturation of our bodies and minds with fresh country air.”

He took her hand and deposited a kiss. “And now, I must reluctantly leave you so that I may meet my father. We are to go over some rather boring, yet necessary, affairs of business.”

“
And shall we ride on the morrow?”

“
If it would please you, I should be delighted.”

When they had agreed to a time for an early ride, Katharine went inside. After taking her rest, Lizzy assisted her in dressing for supper with Lady Charlesworth.

As they began their meal, the good lady waved about her fork and said, “Do not worry about a thing. I have decided that, tomorrow, we will visit the most influential matrons of the ton, beginning with Lady Weatherton. You must take care for your dress and have Lizzy put up your hair.”

Katharine nodded, resigned. “Yes, my lady.”

“
And you shall let me explain.”

“
I shall hardly say a word.”

Lady Charlesworth was in good spirits when they parted. For her part, Katharine wondered how much the story would change by the time it had been repeated all around London. She supposed she would find out in good time.

The next morning, after an early ride with Philip, she returned and dressed with care in a mint muslin with overlaid organdy. Lizzy arranged her copper hair in a coil atop her head. And she was ready to join Lady Charlesworth, who seemed distracted by plans for their return to the country.

“
I have left instructions for Lizzy to spend the week packing our personal essentials. Since we will be returning, I see no reason to pack the entire household. Simply instruct her in the clothes that you wish to leave here.”

“
I do not suppose I shall need any ball gowns.”

Lady Charlesworth patted her hand. “No dear, but we will be back quickly so that you and Philip need not miss the season.”

They alighted at the residence of Lady Weatherton and were ushered into the parlor while the butler presented Lady Charlesworth’scard. In a matter of minutes, they were joined by the matron of the house who gushed in with a warm welcome for her friend.

“
Why, Lady Charlesworth, what a pleasure. I was just telling Lady Jersey that it had been ages since I saw you last. Do take a seat and tell me where you have been keeping yourself. You have not been unwell, I hope.”

They settled upon the stuffed sofa with Katharine on the far end beside Lady Charlesworth. Lady Weatherton cast Katharine a puzzled look before turning her attention to Lady Charlesworth, who sat fanning herself with her delicate imported fan.

Lady Charlesworth turned to her friend and said, “I have been quite well except for the terrible ordeal to my nerves. Oh, Lady Weatherton, you cannot imagine what our family has been through. It has set our whole household in turmoil.”

Lady Weatherton leaned forward, placing a hand upon the arm of her friend. “You must tell me about your distress. Perhaps I might be of help.”

“
Indeed, I shall tell you, but only because we are such good friends.”

“
Yes. And you may trust me completely. If you wish it, I can be silent as the grave.”

Lady Charlesworth shook her head. Her faded blond curls bounced beside her cheeks. “You need not bother with secrecy. As you will soon understand, it is not a scandal, but rather a story that has proved to have a happy ending.”

Katharine thought Lady Weatherton would burst with the attempt to disguise her curiosity. Fortunately for her, Lady Charlesworth began her tale. “You remember how Lady Katharine was to come to us and marry my Philip?”

“
Indeed I do. It was a horrid shock to lose her in that tragic accident. And such a disappointment to you, as her mother was such a dear friend.”

Lady Charlesworth nodded. “I was broken-hearted. But it seems we were all mistaken. In the accident, it was Lady Katharine’s maid and a traveling companion who were killed. Our dear Lady Katharine survived. But the poor dear hit her head and lost her memory. All she could remember was that she was traveling to us.”