“It seems to me that situation rapidly changed,” Nicholas said curtly. “As I heard it, Jacqueline was not very pleased when you married George.”
“Well, yes, but that takes me back to the original story. You see, Jacqueline married Francis Humphrey against our mother’s wishes and found herself not only unhappy but also trapped. Francis Humphrey may have had money, but he had no inclination to spend it, and worse, no entree at all into society. Instead, she found herself firmly entrenched in the
bourgeoisie.
There were no gay parties, no extravagant clothes, nothing that a seventeen-year-old girl might desire. She had married into a stolid respectability, and she was miserable. I felt terribly sorry for her.”
Nicholas snorted. “Why should you have felt sorry? She got exactly what she asked for.”
“Yes, she did,” Marguerite said gently. “And although she had always treated us all very badly, and I could not like her, I could still see her misery. She would come home to play the gracious benefactress, but beneath it all I could see her unhappiness and even her desperation.”
“Oh, how sad,” Georgia said. “To throw away one’s life on nothing more than misplaced ambition seems a terrible shame. And look at her now. It is as if she sold her soul to the devil for nothing more than a title and a big house and limitless funds.” Georgia suddenly pressed her hand over her mouth, hearing what she had said. “I beg your pardon, Lady Clarice. I forgot myself. I should never have spoken so of your sister.’’
“Please, you must call me Marguerite. And you are very insightful, Georgia, for that is exactly what has happened. Jacqueline was always chasing after position and attention, never seeing the things that really mattered. Her vision has only become more narrow with time, until she can see nothing else. Unfortunately, human nature is such that when bitterness and jealousy take hold, they are sometimes impossible to dislodge. It is as if Jacqueline has been consumed by her need to be better than everyone else, more important, more powerful. It does in truth sadden me.”
“Your generosity is extraordinary, considering how she behaved toward you,” Nicholas said. “Do not think I didn’t hear the stories from Louisa, Marguerite—how Jacqueline behaved at your wedding breakfast, sitting there with eyes narrowed, looking as if she might do you murder.”
“Yes, I remember it well. I was quite upset at the time, although not surprised. Jacqueline was the only family left to me by then, and I had hoped she might be happy for me. But that would have been too much to ask, I realized. After all, I had married not only the man I loved, but I had also married into one of the oldest families in England. It infuriated her, especially as I had met George only because I went to be companion to Louisa after our mother died. Jacqueline was quite pleased when I was the servant, but she hadn’t counted on my marrying the eldest son. Suddenly I had not only a young, attractive husband and a beautiful house but also a title.”
Nicholas looked down at his boot. “How did Humphrey die? It wasn’t very long after your wedding, was it?”
“It was only three days later. He died of a broken neck. Jacqueline said he’d tripped and fallen down the stairs. She pretended grief, and I could not challenge her.”
“Oh, damnation,” Nicholas said tersely. “Knowing Jacqueline, she probably did push the poor man down the stairs in a fit of pique. And yet you let her come live with you?”
“How could I refuse her, Nicholas? She had no one else, and a year of mourning to observe. She was unhappy where she was, and I had no proof that she was guilty of any crime. We really had no choice.”
“George has always been an extraordinarily patient man.”
“Yes, he has. It was a difficult time, especially seeing Jacqueline carefully stalking all of George’s friends and acquaintances during that year of supposed mourning. Unfortunately your uncle became her prime target. But there was nothing I could do to stop it. Your uncle was a close friend of George’s mother, and I could not really say that my sister was a viper in pursuit of one of her oldest friends, a man who had only recently lost his wife. Jacqueline behaved so properly. I think everyone but me was astonished when at the end of their respective mourning periods they suddenly married. Jacqueline got exactly what she wanted. Title, position, money—and another loveless marriage, for although your uncle was entranced by her, I know she did not love him.”
“That is an understatement,” Nicholas said. “That’s the greatest understatement of this entire sorry conversation. No, she didn’t love my uncle. And now she’s poisoning him, no doubt so that she can retain control over all his affairs. And so here we are. Well, Marguerite. What are we to do now?”
“It is quite simple. Jacqueline must be stopped. She may be my sister, but after learning about this, I cannot sit back and let her continue along this destructive course.”
“And how do you propose to stop her?” Nicholas said, crossing over to the window and looking out over the garden.
“With the best weapon we have, Nicholas. With the only weapon we have. You.”
He spun around.
“Me?
Marguerite, you must be mad.”
“Indeed, who else? You are the only person who is capable. We must go immediately to London…”
Nicholas took Georgia by the shoulders the moment Marguerite’s carriage started off down the drive. “You and I are going to have a long talk,” he said. “A very long talk. There is no way in heaven or hell that I will let you go up to London and be attacked by those vultures.”
“You may talk as long as you like, but you will not change my mind.”
“I have never in my life come across a person as stubborn, as pigheaded, as you, Georgia. Never.”
“With the exception of yourself,” she said, folding her arms and preparing for battle, for she knew there was a fight ahead. “Marguerite is absolutely right, you know. There’s no other way.”
Nicholas’ brow snapped down. “You may think she’s right, but you are sadly lacking in information.”
“And whose fault is that? If you choose not to tell me anything, then how am I expected to know? I only discovered you were not poor because I happened to overhear. You keep going on about all the reasons why I shouldn’t help you stop Jacqueline, but you have given me nothing concrete. Not one thing.”
“Very well,” he said curtly. “If you are so damned determined to know, then I will tell you, and to hell with trying to protect you.”
“Nicholas, I don’t need protection. I know you love me, and I am grateful for that, But I am not a hothouse flower. I have not had a protected life. It seems silly to begin one now.”
“Come inside.”
“No, let’s go into the garden. You’re angry and upset, and maybe being out there will help.”
“Fine. Whatever you please. It hardly matters to me where you hear the truth of the matter.’’ He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the house and out the back door into the garden, sitting her down on the bench under the willow. He did not join her, instead choosing to face her, his eyes the color of dark slate.
“All right,” she said. “Go ahead.”
He pushed his hand through his hair. “Georgia, this is … difficult.”
“But why, Nicholas? Why?”
“Because I love you. Perhaps if I didn’t, it wouldn’t matter so damned much to me. I’ve lived with disgrace for a long time, and I taught myself not to care. But to have you involved, after everything you’ve already been through—it only makes it ten times worse.”
“I don’t mind for myself. I’m accustomed to being accused of things I haven’t done. But I do mind for you, Nicholas, because you shouldn’t have to defend your name against lies. Now tell me. Just what was this rakehell behavior that Jacqueline accused you of?”
“You know, the timing of this mess is fairly unbelievable. Had this been yesterday, I would never have said a single word. Today not only do I find I have little choice, but I worry more than ever over your reaction. I trust you, Georgia, but I do not know how far you are prepared to trust me.”
“I showed you how far last night. And that should tell you everything.”
“Yes,” he said, his voice rough. “But this is different.”
“It’s not different in the least. Anyway, you can’t possibly think I would believe Jacqueline over you. Your uncle might have done, but he was blinded by her. I am not, not at all. Aside from the fact that I know what kind of woman she is, I also know how much she dislikes you.”
“No, you don’t. And you don’t know why she hates me as violently as she does.”
“No, I don’t. And I wish you would tell me. Whatever it is cannot be that terrible.”
He met her eyes evenly. “No? Not even being accused of rape?”
“Rape?” she whispered.
“Exactly. It’s an ugly word, isn’t it, and one that no doubt strikes a particular horror into your own heart.”
“But how? Whom were you meant to have raped?”
“Jacqueline.”
“Oh, Nicholas—no … No, it is not possible.”
“I’m afraid it is true. Not that I raped her. But that she accused me of the act, yes.”
“Oh, God—of all things to have picked, she could not have found one more unjust…” Georgia lifted her head and met his eyes. “Tell me what happened, Nicholas. Please. Tell me exactly how it happened.”
He drew in a deep breath and released it, almost as if relieved to have the words finally out. “I told you that I disliked her on sight, the minute I first walked in the door of Ravenswalk. But for her it was a different matter. She knew I disliked her, but that only made it more of a challenge for her. She took one look at me and decided that I was fair game.”
“Fair game for what?” Georgia asked. “Surely not to accuse you of rape just because you didn’t like her?”
Nicholas managed a smile. “No, sweetheart. Quite the opposite. She had it in mind to seduce me, you see. I was nearly twenty, not altogether inexperienced, and it became quickly obvious that she wanted me as a lover. She was subtle, but not so subtle that I did not catch her meaning. I, in a fashion equally as subtle, let her know I was not interested. But Jacqueline persisted. She wanted something she could not have, and she wasn’t going to stop until she had attained it. I cannot tell you the times that I caught glimpses of flesh I most certainly should not have.”
“Nicholas. I think I am shocked. I had thought that this morning I had learned I could not be shocked by anything, but I think I am.”
“This morning was a bit different, my love. The natural things that happen between two willing people, most especially two willing people who love each other and happen to be married, is absolutely acceptable. But the point here is that this was my uncle’s wife, not all that much older than I, and she was pursuing me like a hungry tiger after a piece of flesh. There was nothing more to it than that—it was lust, and lust alone.”
“Nicholas, what happened? What
happened?”
“I woke one night to find her in my bed. She was naked, pressed against me, and at first I didn’t know where I was, or even whom I was with. My hand was on her breast. I think she must have put it there, for her hand was covering mine and moving on it, but God only knows. Anyway, I’d been fool enough in my sleep to become aroused, and I think for a moment or two I thought I was elsewhere—with some insignificant woman or another, for her other hand was … she was stroking me. Georgia. Forgive me. You shouldn’t have to hear this.”
“Don’t be absurd. Go on.”
“I kissed her. God help me, I kissed the bitch and didn’t even know whom I was kissing until I smelled her perfume and came to my senses. That happened quickly enough, like having a bucket of ice water thrown over me. I pushed her away from me and told her that if she ever came near me again I would tell my uncle exactly what she was. She was frightened, for she stood to lose everything. I think she must have believed that once she was in bed with me I would succumb to her, give her what she wanted. I told her to leave and she did. It never went beyond that, I swear it.”
“Oh, Nicholas—I am sorry. But how did your uncle find out?”
He rubbed his forehead. “That was the ultimate irony, although if I’d had any sense, I should have anticipated it. I made an appointment to see him the next afternoon. It was about arrangements for the Close, but Jacqueline didn’t know that. She thought I was going to tell him what had happened. So she panicked, and she went to him first and told him I’d forced myself on her. Not just attempted it, but had succeeded.”
“And your uncle believed her? He believed such a thing of you?” Georgia was trembling with outrage.
“Yes. He did. He called me into his study. She was there. And that was an end to it. There was no point in trying to defend myself. As I told you before, he was besotted with Jacqueline. No doubt he imagined I was likewise besotted and was also young and hot-blooded enough to lose my reason over her. He threw me out, and I left Ravenswalk, only to discover that everywhere I went, the whispers had gone before me. So I went to India. It didn’t matter there, for there were many scapegraces in similar situations. I put all my energies into building a fortune. But I never forgot. Not for a moment. And I never forgot the Close.”
Georgia couldn’t bear the stark, drawn expression on his face. To have his honor taken from him over such a filthy accusation cut her to the quick. She thought of the first day she had met him, the tears wet on his cheeks as he absorbed the shock of what the Close had become. She thought of the courage he had shown, forcing himself into the sea to save men from the fate he had once nearly met. She thought of his anguish over the small lifeless boy he had brought in, and the long weeks he had been off battling demons too terrible to contemplate. And she thought of his patience with her and the incredible gentleness with which he had tempered his passion. That this same man should be accused of an act as violent, as despicable as rape was beyond belief. It was enough to break her heart. She covered her face with shaking hands.
“Oh, Georgia … Georgia, love, don’t. Please don’t, sweetheart. It’s over, it’s finished. It happened long ago, and we’re here now.” He dropped to one knee and gathered her into his arms. “Please don’t cry,” he whispered against her hair. “Please. I cannot bear it.” He moved her hands away and kissed her wet cheeks. “Do you see why I didn’t want to tell you?”
“No,” she said, sniffling. “If you thought that by keeping it from me you were protecting me, then you were being very silly.’’
“Was I?” he said with a hint of a smile. “Perhaps I was. I am never quite sure what you will find foolish. But understand that I didn’t want that ugly part of the world intruding here, not here where you and I have been happy. It has felt at times as if the outside world could not touch us. I think we both needed a bit of that.”
Georgia gave him a long look. “That’s another reason you didn’t want to tell me, isn’t it? You were thinking about Baggie.”
“The circumstances may have been different, but it is the same violent act, Georgia,” Nicholas said very gently. “And I think you know it now as well as I. And yes, I was concerned that somewhere in the very back of your mind a doubt might linger that I might have done such a thing in some mindless moment. If one man, why not any other?”
“Because I know you, Nicholas. I know you would never be capable of such a thing, despite how hot-blooded and hot-tempered you can be. It’s absurd. I’m amazed anyone would believe it.”
“But they do, Georgia. They do. Think. In their minds Jacqueline would have no reason to lie about such a thing. She pretended to be terrified of me. She pretended immense relief that I hadn’t put my brat in her. Oh, I heard. I heard it all. It didn’t seem to occur to anyone that I might have scorned her, that her spite stemmed from that—and her fear of me, which was genuine. So now I stand accused not only of rape but also of raping my uncle’s wife. Do you understand how serious a charge that is?”
“I may not be from your world, but I am not stupid,” Georgia said indignantly, wiping her eyes and nose on her sleeve for lack of anything else. “It is a terribly serious charge. And Jacqueline has great power and influence, I know. But just as I know that you have told me the truth, apparently Jacqueline’s own sister knows it too, and she has offered you a way to amend things. What happens after that is solely up to you, Nicholas, but we must make a beginning.”
He dropped to the ground and shoved his hands against his temples. “Do you have any idea—any idea at all—of what you would be facing if we went up to London?”
“I think so. But with Marguerite’s patronage behind you, Nicholas, surely people would think twice. After all, she would be publicly flying in her sister’s face. What other way to clear you name is there?”
“Damnation!” he finally said. “You’re determined to put yourself through this, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she said calmly. “I am. What you have been through is too awful, and the unfairness is too much. And then there is your uncle to consider, and Cyril also. You cannot let Jacqueline continue along her present course, Nicholas. As Marguerite pointed out, you are the only person who can change it. I will help you as best I can. You thought I would be discouraged, but I’m not. I’m not. I hate her. I hate her more than I ever thought it was possible to hate another human, but I do, and I want to see justice done for everyone. And that includes our unborn children, Nicholas. It is wrong for them to be born in shame for no good reason.”
He pulled absently at the grass. “You are right, of course,” he said after a long silence. “Perhaps I’ve been dreaming. I suppose I was foolish to think that it might all evaporate, that people would forget with time—even that Jacqueline might choose to forget her hatred and obsession in favor of some other distraction. But it has not proved to be true, has it? Never mind Jacqueline. Immediately I returned, the village was rife with the old rumors.”
“Yes, I know. And yet when they needed you, they came to you, and you proved yourself a very good and courageous man. Do you think they would have helped as they did during your illness if they had truly believed you were guilty of debauchery? Nicholas, believe me, I know. My mother was accused often of being an accomplice of the devil’s, for our village was small and ignorant and her healing arts were extraordinary. But they forgot soon enough when one of their own was ill. If they had really believed they would be tainted by the devil, they never would have come again, but they always did. It is the same with you. I cannot believe many a person in the village, and most likely not very many of the
ton,
truly think you’re really guilty. But accusations are terrible things, for they leave doubt unless proof is offered up against them.”
“And that’s just it, sweetheart. That’s just it. How does one offer proof against a thing that can’t be proved? Who is to say that I did not commit this act? I have no influence. I have no title. I have only Jacqueline’s word against mine, and my uncle’s censure. Even Cyril believes I did this to Jacqueline—that much is more than apparent. Do you see what I have done to you, Georgia? Do you see what you have married? And you thought you were a threat to my respectability.” He laughed harshly. “It’s a damned joke, isn’t it? Here you discover in one day that your husband has a fortune, and there is nowhere to spend it save the two-mile periphery of the Close.”
“And that is quite enough,” Georgia said firmly. “I will not listen to you indulging yourself in self-pity, not when there are solutions at hand. Now. To begin. We will go to London. We will accept Marguerite’s offer of hospitality.”