The Price of Innocence (The Legacy Series) (31 page)

Notes and invitations from Philippe arrived almost daily, but Suzette turned each one down, sending excuse after excuse. She hoped her continual refusal would discourage him from his relentless pursuit. It was the right thing to do. She knew if he found out about her pregnancy, he would abandon her immediately, which would break her heart. She could never tell him about the child or bear to see the horror on his face after hearing the news.

Her focus turned to Robert. She wished things had been different. Surely, had he not married Lady Spencer, he would have married her instead upon hearing news of her pregnancy, but now it was too late. She trusted his kind heart to do the right thing, and Suzette convinced herself that he would not make her give up the baby but would allow her to raise their child in secret with his provision. She told Madame LeBlanc of her plan, but she was quick to dash her hopes to pieces.

“The man is going to be Duke! He has a reputation to protect, and he will not acknowledge a bastard child in his lineage.”

Suzette didn’t want to believe her tirade.

* * *

Robert returned to London a week later with his new wife in tow. Their lengthy honeymoon had ended. He soon learned, however, that Lady Spencer preferred to cling to him like a leech. At the first thought of separation, she begged him to bring her to London. He insisted he needed to take care of business, but it made no difference. Unable to discard her pleading tears, he relented. After a week’s time, he finally found a moment to slip away on his own to visit Suzette.

His arrival to her small cottage came unannounced, and Madame LeBlanc gasped in surprise when he appeared at the door.

“Lord Holland, you’ve returned!” Her face flushed at the thought of her mistress, who lay upstairs in her bed sick and pale.

Robert became immediately irritated. “Do you intend on leaving me on the doorstep?”

“No. Forgive me, Monsieur.” She stepped out of the way and took his hat and cane. With a quick curtsy, she went to fetch Suzette. “I’ll let the Mademoiselle know you’ve arrived.”

Robert sensed something was wrong. He watched her run upstairs, and then he wandered into the parlor surprised to see it unkempt. Reading material lay strewn about, an empty teapot and teacup sat upon a table, and partially eaten biscuits on a plate. Perturbed at the maid’s lack of housekeeping skills, he flopped on the settee, tossed a pillow out of the way, and impatiently waited.

Madame LeBlanc fled up the stairs and knocked in panic upon Suzette’s bedroom door. After bidding her entrance, she ran to Suzette’s bedside.

“You must get up now, Mademoiselle. Lord Holland is waiting for you in the parlor downstairs.”

Suzette shot up and flung her legs around the edge of the bed. The room spun, and she looked up at Madame LeBlanc pleading for help.

“My God! Why didn’t he tell me beforehand so I could have prepared?”

She ran over to the vanity, sat down, and pulled a brush through her tangled hair. “Find me another dress! I look a fright.”

Madame LeBlanc filtered through the wardrobe, begging for direction. “Which one?”

“The pink satin. Perhaps it will give me some color. Hurry!”

She took the dress off the hanger and carefully laid it on the edge of the bed. Suzette struggled with her hair, and Madame LeBlanc walked over and grabbed the brush from her hand.

“Here, let me do that,” she insisted. Her skillful hand pulled through the last tangle, and then in one sweep, she wrapped Suzette’s hair into a neat bun and pinned it upon her head. “Now, powder your nose, and for heaven’s sake, dab your cheeks with rouge. You look like a ghost.”

Suzette, who had slept in her corset and bloomers, easily slipped into the dress. Madame LeBlanc buttoned the back and then turned her around, making a quick inspection.

“Find a piece of jewelry, and I’ll find your shoes.”

Finally, the frantic women had finished their task, and Madame LeBlanc looked at her approvingly. “I wonder how long he’ll let you leave the dress on,” she said sarcastically.

Angry at the remark, Suzette snapped back. “Keep your mouth shut, do you hear me?”

Nothing further was spoken between the two, and Suzette nervously descended the stairs, pinching her cheeks once more to add a bit of color to her ashen pallor.

Robert stood to his feet as she entered the room, struck by the change in her appearance. Her face appeared drawn, and he could tell she had squeezed her cheeks by the red marks on her face.

“Darling,” he said, walking toward her and gathering her into his arms. “You don’t look well. Are you all right?”

“Yes, of course, Robert,” she answered, her voice laced with feigned sincerity. “Silly me. I was taking a nap, and you woke me up. That’s why I look so frightful, I’m afraid.”

Robert released his embrace and stepped back, examining her again. “Taking a nap?”

Suzette laughed nervously. “Yes, I’m afraid I stayed up way too long last evening.”

Robert hesitated but then lowered his head until his lips met hers. He kissed her deeply, and a rush of relief flooded his soul. He had missed the taste of Suzette’s warm mouth. In spite of his newfound status of being a married man, he discovered his new bride cold and unyielding in bed, like most English women. The thought of Suzette’s lovemaking aroused his senses. As his kisses became more intense, he noted her response wasn’t the same, so he released her lips and demanded an answer.

“Something is wrong. I can sense it.”

“Nothing is wrong, Robert,” she insisted. “I’m just surprised that you’re here now. You’ve been away for so long.” Suzette smiled and then broke out in a nervous laughter, expressing her own loneliness.

“I’ve missed you terribly,” she confessed, nuzzling her head on his chest. “Oh, Robert, don’t be gone so long next time, please.” She claimed his lips with intensity to show her deep affection.

Robert waited no longer. He scooped her up in his arms and climbed the stairs to her bedroom. As they passed Madame LeBlanc on the way up, Suzette glanced at her and saw her housekeeper mouth the words, “I told you so.”

Suzette glared at her in return and then buried her head in the corner of her lover’s shoulder, giggling the entire way up the staircase. Once behind closed doors, they rekindled the weeks of separation with passionate lovemaking.

* * *

Robert left Suzette asleep in her bed. The hours had quickly passed, and he needed to return to his waiting wife. He descended the staircase and found Madame LeBlanc in the parlor straightening up the room. He stood in the doorway and watched her for a minute, then cleared his throat to gain her attention. Something was amiss, and he wanted answers.

“What’s going on here?”

Madame LeBlanc swung around at the sound of his voice.

“Oh, Monsieur, you startled me,” she exclaimed, out of breath. She brought her hand to her chest in fright and then answered his inquiry. “Nothing is going on. I’m merely cleaning, as you can see.”

Robert stepped inside the parlor, unwilling to take her word. “There’s something going on in this household. I can tell by Suzette’s demeanor and your own. You are both hiding something.” A few steps closer brought him face to face with the maid, and he raised his voice to make at point.

“I want to know now, or else you can pack your bags and I’ll find another woman from France to wait upon my mistress.”

He made his threat palatable, and Madame LeBlanc began to shake. The teacup rattled in the saucer she held in her hand, and she took a step back from the English lord’s threatening demeanor.

“You’ve married,” she blurted out without further thought. “Your mistress found out about your wife!”

Robert froze. The blood drained from his face, and Madame LeBlanc couldn’t help but chuckle aloud. She wanted to tell him the other news but was afraid Suzette would kill her for sure.

“Now you look as pale as her, Monsieur. You wished to know,” she said, shrugging her shoulders in relief. She picked up teapot and remaining dishes and then exited the room for the kitchen without saying another word.

Robert left the parlor, picked up his hat and cane, and let himself out of the cottage, slamming the door behind him with a
bang
. As he strode out the door to his waiting carriage, he climbed inside and gave orders to return to his wife. The lit candle had just been extinguished at one end, and he wasn’t quite sure how he was going to handle the matter with Suzette.

Chapter Twenty-Two

  Suzette’s confusion increased as the week passed with no further word from Robert. Their time together had been a physical reunion, but the many questions that nagged Suzette remained unanswered about his marriage.

He offered her no explanation about his absence; it was clear to her now that he intended to keep her in the dark as long as possible. No doubt, he was concerned about her reaction and had every right to be.

As the days slipped by, his avoidance was obvious. The growth of their child in her womb intensified her panic until it became unbearable. Finally, at the end of the week, a note arrived from Robert, which Suzette immediately tore open and read.

Dear Suzette,

I have been called back to my father’s estate on business. I am aware that you have discovered my marriage to Lady Jacquelyn Spencer. You have every right to be upset over my deception. We will speak about the matter upon my return.

I am forever yours,

Robert Holland

Suzette dropped the letter to the floor as hot tears streamed down her face. Madame LeBlanc stood in the doorway, watching her reaction, and Suzette instinctively knew she was the traitor. In a rage, Suzette raced toward her, and with an open hand violently slapped her across the face.

“You bitch! You told him that I found out about the marriage, didn’t you?” As she tried to slap her again, Madame LeBlanc grabbed her wrist to prevent any further hits upon her already reddened cheek.

“He threatened to fire me if I didn’t tell him what was going on! You should be thankful I didn’t tell him about the bastard baby in your womb, Mademoiselle.”

Suzette could tolerate her insolence no longer and started pushing Madame LeBlanc from the parlor. “Get out! Get out!” She sneered at her vehemently. “Get out now and don’t come back.”

She pushed her out of the parlor, and Suzette followed her to the maid’s quarters. Madame LeBlanc quickly stuffed her belongings into her suitcase.

“Gladly! I’ll leave gladly,” she muttered in haste.

Suzette thought that she could kill the woman and tried desperately to calm her beating heart, afraid for her physical wellbeing. Finally, with her last dress crammed into her bag, she escorted Madame LeBlanc out the door, slamming it shut behind her.

She fell to her knees and wailed uncontrollably, broken and abandoned by everyone until she passed out from exhaustion on the floor. Hours later, she opened her eyes to find herself curled up in a ball upon the rug near the door. Her head pounded, and her swollen eyelids hurt as she opened them. It was night, and the house was dark and quiet.

Suzette grabbed the hall table and pulled herself to her feet and made her way down the dark hallway to the kitchen. After finding the matches by the stove, she lit an oil lamp on the table.

A quick glance around the kitchen revealed a mess, and she cursed Madame LeBlanc for her laziness. Dirty dishes were stacked high and spoiled food lay upon china plates. She found the kettle to boil water for tea, and then rummaged around the breadbox until she found a piece of fresh pastry to stuff in her mouth.

The quietness of her small cottage was deafening. She knew when Robert returned, he had to be told about the baby, but she feared the outcome. He might insist the child be put up for adoption or demand she see a doctor to do the unthinkable.

She needed help, and there was only one place to turn, though she hesitated to do so. Suzette wandered into the parlor with her brewed cup of tea and sat at her writing desk. She rifled through the letters looking for Philippe’s address and then penned a letter of desperation.

* * *

Robert entered the restaurant and recognized the gentleman seated at a table near the window. He halted for a moment and pulled the gloves off his hands. He wondered if his suggested dining location was a bit too expensive for the man’s wallet. Nevertheless, if he wanted to meet, he certainly wasn’t about to lower his standards for a decent meal, while having an unpleasant conversation.

He strolled up to the table and closely examined the Frenchman. Philippe stood to his feet and greeted him.

“Lord Holland,” he said, bowing his head and looking up at his rival. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

Robert looked at him with a contemptuous sigh and responded, “Yes, of course.” He made no deference in return or offers to shake the Frenchman’s hand. Robert merely pulled back a chair and sat down. The waiter arrived at the table, and he gave his order without looking at the menu.

“I’ll have the roast duck and a cup of black tea.” He handed the menu back to the waiter.

“Just coffee for me, I’m afraid. I don’t have much of an appetite.”

Robert raised his brow at his refusal to eat. “Are you sure, man?” he asked curiously.

“Yes, very sure,” he responded. “Just black coffee.”

Robert shrugged his shoulders and leaned comfortably back in the chair. “So, you are Lieutenant Philippe Moreau, correct?”

“Just Philippe Moreau,” he answered coldly. “I’ve resigned my commission.”

“Ah, I see,” he replied. “And what is it that you wish to speak with me about?” After receiving a dark glare in return, he wasn’t surprised to hear the next words.

“I wish to know your intentions with regard to Suzette Camille Rousseau.”

Robert chuckled. “Camille,” he said with a smile. “I didn’t know that was her middle name. Yes, a virgin when I met her.” A look of possession filled Robert’s eyes as he dared the man across the table to lay any claim to what was rightfully his. “And what do you mean by intentions, pray tell?”