Ladies of Deception 02 - Misleading Lord Martineau (6 page)

Wednesday April 20
th
, 1814

Elliot sat at his desk sorting through the piles of invitations he had received and tossing them one by one into the fire. He’d watch each one as they disappeared into the inferno, the paper curling into black rolls as the flames reached up to lick the unopened envelope before engulfing it completely and turning it quickly to ash before tossing the next missive in to obtain the same fate.

Knowing that Felicity held no desire to have him back in her life, he saw no reason to attend the silly society events that he so loathed. His only reason for going would be to see her, but now the thought of seeing her and knowing he couldn’t have her would most likely kill him. Instead he had been wallowing in self pity and despair in the confines of his townhouse, trying hopelessly to decide what to do with his future.

The thought of running his families estate by himself for the remainder of his years seemed dull and depressing. He had once dreamt of sharing that life with Felicity and after her disappearance he had only sought to distract himself with frivolous pursuits, refusing to think about forging a future. He felt all of a sudden that he was at a crossroads of sorts, now being forced to shut the door completely on the past and what could have been and forced to look depressingly into a future that he could muster up no excitement for.

The only thought he kept coming back to was the thought of escape, the sadness that engulfed him was too much to bear. He remembered a time when Pierce had been eager to escape his upcoming marriage and had mentioned the thought of fleeing to America. Elliot had discouraged him from going ahead with the plan but was now regretting the fact that he didn’t encourage him to go and tag along with.

He threw the last of the invitations into the fire and turned to look out the window. America—the thought of venturing to a new land where he could start fresh with no reminders of what he no longer had sounded enticing. He had always been hesitant to leave in the past holding out a thread of hope, however minute, that someday Felicity would come back to him. Well she had come back and it wasn’t him she sought, he thought angrily, the pain washing over him anew. With both of his parents gone and Felicity no longer a probable part of his future he had nothing to hold him back.

Elliot laced his hands together and put them behind his head, crossing one foot over his thigh as the idea of starting a new life in America began to take root. The more he thought about it, the more attractive the idea became. There was no one in London who would miss him if he were to leave, no one who depended on him besides his tenants, but surely they wouldn’t be saddened by his departure. Abandoning the family estates was the only point of regret he could foresee but of course he could always hire someone to oversee his duties while he was away just in case he did want to return someday and take up where he had left off.

His thoughts were running wildly through his head as Percival entered the room and interrupted him. “My lord you have a visitor. The duke—”

“Leave it to Pierce to show up at a time like this,” Elliot muttered irritably, cutting Percival off.

“
As I was saying my lord,” Percival continued with just the barest hint of irritation marring his voice, “The duke’s wife, the Duchess of Kerrington is here to see you. She is waiting in the parlor. I had tea sent in to her.”

Elliot looked up in surprise, “Her grace is here—by herself?”

“Yes my lord.”

Suddenly an idea formed in his head and Elliot smiled for the first time in days. “Well certainly we can’t keep her waiting. I’ll go see her now.”

Elliot left the room, leaving Percival to stare at him in marvel, wondering what had suddenly caused his mood to brighten, if only momentarily.

Entering the parlor Elliot’s eyes rested on Hope, her belly swollen in front of her, a clear indication of her confinement. Though rounded with child she appeared even more beautiful than normal, she had a glow about her that made Elliot long briefly for a wife of his own with a child in her womb. He shook his head to dispel that line of thinking, wondering where that foreign thought had come from anyway. Stepping forward he took Hope’s hand in his and bowed slightly in greeting.

“Oh Elliot, I’m positively furious with you.”

Elliot straightened and looked at her quizzically, “Whatever have I done this time?”

“It’s what you haven’t done; you haven’t been by the house to see us once since we’ve returned to London. What kind of welcome is that?”

Elliot went and sat in a tufted wingback chair and said, “My apologies your grace, I’ve been rather occupied. I realize, however, that’s no excuse to neglect such a dear friend and such a beautiful one at that. Have I told you how stunning you look? Being with child becomes you.”

Hope blushed at the same time she rolled her eyes, “You always were one prone to flattery. Now tell me what has been occupying so much of your time that you couldn’t spare an evening with your closest of friends.”

“
You forget, I did spare you an evening the night I escorted Miss Ogglesby to the Sotheby’s ball.”

Hope stuck her bottom lip out in a pout, “That can hardly count, we shared a short carriage ride to the ball is all and don’t make me remind you of the reasons we didn’t share a carriage ride home afterwards.”

“No need to bring that up,” he mumbled. “If it makes you happy I’ll agree to pay you a visit post haste. I have some things I need to discuss with Pierce anyway.”

“
And what of me? Is there anything you wish to discuss with me right now?” Her voice was inquisitive, her gaze probing.

Elliot leaned forward, “Actually there is, I’m so glad you asked.” Here was his opportunity to find out if he could set his plan to go to America into action. Hope visibly brightened as he continued, “I have been thinking about your brother-in-law Mr. Johanssen and wondering what he is up to these days.”

Hope looked at him confused, “Soren? That is who you wish to speak to me about?”

“
Yes, is there someone else of whom you wish to speak?” He asked, not picking up on what she had been eluding too.

“
No, I—well it’s just that I had thought that maybe—well I guess you haven’t really given any indication, it’s just that I had hoped—”

A sickening feeling filled Elliot’s belly, “You came to speak of Miss Ogglesby, didn’t you?”

Hope looked at him sheepishly, “Well maybe I had thought, well hoped really, that you two might have made a connection.”

Elliot laughed. “Please don’t ever waste your time playing the matchmaker with me, I’m completely unredeemable in that regards.”

Hope leaned towards him then, as far as her burgeoning belly would permit and placed a hand on his arm, “Oh Elliot, don’t ever say that. I think you have more redeemable qualities than you think, the love of a good woman would do you wonders.”

Laughing mirthlessly he pulled his arm back from her touch. “With all due respect your grace, that’s the last thing I need.”

“Oh I disagree, look what it did for Pierce.”

Elliot raised one dark brow skeptically, “I’m not convinced the ridiculous, love-struck trance he’s been in is an improvement over his old character. You must try harder to convince me.” Hope’s expression turned to one of pity and for some reason that irked Elliot.

Setting her cup and saucer down on the table, Hope looked up at Elliot and spoke in a soft voice, almost a whisper. “Elliot, I know about Felicity, Pierce told me what happened.”

“
I don’t wish to speak of that now or ever again,” he barked, completely provoked that she dared bring up such a sensitive topic.

“
I realize it must be a touchy subject,” she forged ahead cautiously, ignoring Elliot’s disconcerted expression completely, “But I just think that if you allow yourself to be open to the possibility of a future with somebody else that you could find love again.”

“
And you think Miss Ogglesby could be that somebody? Are you and Pierce that anxious to get rid of the chit that you’ll attempt to pawn her off on me, a cold, heartless rake?”

“
You make it sound like we’re being horrible. I’m just worried about you and so is Pierce, that’s all. And Miss Ogglesby is really such a sweet girl, if you’d only give her a chance I’m sure that you would see what a lovely person she is. Besides, she needs somebody as well. She’s been left completely alone and I fear that she’s not dealing well with her loss.”

Elliot slumped back into his chair, “I’m just not sure I can be what she needs. Honestly Hope, I’m not sure exactly what my future holds right now and it wouldn’t be fair to lead her on.”

Refusing to give up, Hope continued to plead, “I understand, and I appreciate your candor but won’t you at least spend a little more time with her? You don’t have to pursue her romantically but I think she could use a friend.”

“
What’s wrong with your friendship, isn’t that enough? Surely having a woman to talk to is much more practical and relatable than a friendship with me would be.”

Exasperated Hope sighed, “Oh stopping being so difficult. Can’t you at least come to dinner tomorrow evening and spend some time with her, with us?”

“I don’t understand why you and Pierce keep begging favors of me; can’t you just leave me in peace?”

Turning sympathetic amber eyes on him she said softly, “It’s not doing us a favor, it’s doing yourself a favor. It’s time you left the past behind.”

Elliot wanted to be angry at her words but found he couldn’t, not when she looked at him with such compassion. And though he couldn’t approve of their methods, he truly did believe that Pierce and Hope had his best interests at heart.

After contemplating her words he finally relented, “Fine, I’ll come to dinner but on one condition.”

“Anything.”

“
Please, please do not put any more pressure on me to pursue Miss Ogglesby. Let the chips fall where they may and trust that I will use my best judgment where she is concerned.”

Hope smiled victoriously, “Agreed.”

Thursday April 21
st
, 1814

Sitting around the table in the Duke and Duchess’s dining room, Elliot chanced a quick glance at Miss Ogglesby. Her eyes were averted as she concentrated on eating the soup that had been placed before her, giving Elliot a chance to study her more fully. She was dressed in a pink gown that brought out the color in her cheeks, making her appear not quite so plain. He watched as she delicately slurped a spoonful of the hot liquid and decided she had nice lips. Though not as full as Felicity’s, they were perfectly proportioned to her face but he still had no desire to kiss them. He glanced away then, anxious to not get caught staring and turned his attention back to the conversation at the table.

Pierce had been relating a long story about a discussion earlier in the week held during a session of parliament. “Elliot, you really should take your place in the House of Lords, it would be good for you.”

Elliot laid his spoon down gently in his bowl, causing a soft clinking as the metal hit the porcelain. “I’m pleased that you’ve taken a newfound interest in parliament, but I cannot even pretend to share in your excitement.”

“That’s a shame, I think if you’d actually attend a session you might be surprised at what you could learn.”

Suddenly Elliot remembered what he had meant to talk to Hope about yesterday when she had visited his house before the conversation had turned to Miss Ogglesby and his original goal had been forgotten. “I actually don’t intend to be around much longer so attending parliament is really a mute point.”

Elliot was aware that all three heads turned suddenly to gape at him then, all three mouths hanging open in surprise. Pierce was the first to speak, “What do you mean you won’t be around? Are you planning a trip?”

“
I’m actually thinking of relocating, at least for a time.” All three pairs of eyes widened at his admission.

“
What do you mean?” Hope stammered.

Turning to her he said, “I’m thinking of moving to America.” Hope, Pierce, and Miss Ogglesby simultaneously gasped as he continued. “That’s why I asked you about Soren yesterday. I was wondering if you knew when he planned on being back in England and when he was set to sail again.”

Hope’s brother-in-law Soren, married to her twin sister Noelle, was an American who owned a shipping business. Elliot hadn’t given him a second thought since meeting him at Pierce and Hope’s wedding last year until Hope had come to visit him yesterday. He was eager to speak to someone who was familiar with the country and who might be able to assist him with his travels and relocation.

Hope gently set her glass of wine down before folding her hands in her lap. “This seems so unexpected and—sudden. Are you sure you’ve had time to think this through?”

He knew that she was most likely disappointed with the news, figuring that it meant that he had no intentions of securing a future with her ward. “Yes, I’ve thought about it for some time.” He rationalized to himself that a full day was plenty of time to make a reasonable decision, “And I think I’m ready for a change in my life, a way to forget the past and move on.”

Pierce looked at his good friend with concern. He knew that he had been encouraging Elliot to move on for some time now, but he had been insinuating that he find a new love interest not a new country. “Are you certain this is what you want?”

“Yes, there’s nothing for me here.” His eyes briefly flicked to Miss Ogglesby before looking back at Pierce.

Hope had taken the hint, “Well if you’re certain that there’s nothing we can do to convince you to stay—”

“I’m certain. I need to get out of London, at least for awhile. You all needn’t look so forlorn, I’m certain I’ll be back someday.”

Miss Ogglesby perked up then, “Well Lord Martineau, I think it’s a wonderful idea.”

“You do?” Pierce and Hope replied in unison.

“
Of course, everyone could use a little adventure in their life. If there’s nothing here for you, then by all means you should go. I think going to America sounds grand.” The light in her eyes at the mention of adventure was unmistakable. For a brief moment Elliot wondered if there was more to Miss Ogglesby than he had ever realized.

Her reaction puzzled Elliot, he wasn’t sure if he had expected her to be sad at his admission or completely impartial, but his ego wasn’t sure how to handle her seeming excitement and encouragement of his plans. He decided to just be grateful that she didn’t seem upset.

He smiled at her gratefully, “Well said. I’m getting too old to still be trying to decide what to do with my life. I’ve made a decision for my future and that decision is America.”

Pierce interjected, concern still etched on his face. “Look man, are you certain you’re not just attempting to run from something?”

“You mean like you were when you mentioned going there?” Elliot quickly retorted.

Hope looked at Pierce quizzically, “Darling, when did you express an interest in going to America?”

Elliot answered for him, “When he was trying to get out of marrying you actually.”

Hope gave her husband a frosty glare to which he quickly responded, “It wasn’t like that at all. I had thoughts of fleeing to America after I had won Noelle’s hand in marriage in a game of piquet.” He took Hope’s hand in his, raising it to his mouth and giving it a gentle kiss. “I hadn’t even met you yet, or Noelle for that matter, I was just feeling uncertain about marrying a girl I didn’t even know. The thought of going to America sounded more tempting than that fate I can assure you.”

“What made you decided to stay and face your fate?” she asked him, curious about this part of the story she had never heard.

“
Elliot actually, he convinced me it was better to face up to my problems than to flee.” Turning back to Elliot he said, “Wouldn’t you agree that was sage advice you gave me?”

Elliot gestured towards the couple with his hand, “Apparently you have me to thank for your happy union. In your case it’s apparent that it was to your advantage to stay. We’re in different positions though and I think it’s in my best interest if I go.”

Pierce stared at him long and hard before speaking. “Well as much as I hate to say it, you are a grown man and fully capable of making your own decisions. Though I disagree with the rashness of your plan there’s nothing I can do to dissuade you from going. Maybe Hope and I will come visit you someday. We plan to pay her sister a visit in the future and could possibly see you then.”

Elliot only nodded. Hope spoke up then to fill the silence that had settled over them. “You’re actually quite in luck Elliot, Soren is expected to sail into London any day now.”

Elliot sat back and cocked one brow, “It seems a sign that this is all meant to be.” But though he said it with assurance, he couldn’t say that he felt completely confident in his decision and was once again pained at the reason behind his leaving. He would have to put Felicity from his life and heart forever and he wasn’t sure if it could be done.

Following dinner, the men retired to the study for port. Once they were behind closed doors, Pierce didn’t waste any time probing Elliot for answers. “Now that it’s just the two of us I demand you tell me what’s going on, and don’t try to hide anything from me, I know you better than you think.”

Elliot took his glass of port and sat lazily on the arm of the leather couch. “If you know me so well than you’ll know that I’m likely to do whatever I want whenever I want, simple as that. I got a wild hair to go to America so that’s what I intend to do.”

“
I don’t believe you for one second. What are you hiding?”

“
Nothing. Quit trying to complicate things with your overanalyzing.”

“
Please tell me this has nothing to do with a girl. You haven’t been dallying with a married woman have you? Tell me you’re not trying to flee an angry husband; is that what this is all about?”

Elliot cringed, “Heaven’s no! I’m glad to see you think so highly of me.”

“But it has something to do with a girl, right?” Pierce eyed Elliot shrewdly and watched as he averted his gaze and squirmed in his seat. “I knew it! You haven’t acted this irrational since—”

Elliot sprung to his feet, every nerve in his body taut, “When will you quit referencing everything back to Felicity’s disappearance?”

“When you finally get over her, that’s when.”

“
Well you’ve figured me out, that’s the real reason I’m going to America. It’s a desperate attempt to get over her once and for all.”

Pierce shrugged out of his jacket and placed it on the back of his chair. “But why now man? Why didn’t you do it four years ago? Can’t you just find a lovely young girl in London to marry so you can finally move on with your life? Do you really have to move thousands of miles away to get over Felicity?”

Elliot gulped down the last swallow of port before setting the empty glass on Pierce’s desk and sprawling out face up on the leather couch. He stared at the wood beamed ceiling above in thoughtful reflection before he answered Pierce. “Felicity’s back in London.”

Pierce spit out the mouthful of port he had just drunk. “What?”

Elliot felt weary as he rubbed his tired eyes before explaining. “She’s back and she’s posing as the Marchioness Davenport, a widow.”

“
How come you never told me?”

“
I’m telling you now. I confronted her about her guise and she refused to admit who she was.”

Pierce took a handkerchief out of his pocket and began wiping up the port he had spewed over his desk. “What makes you so sure that it’s Felicity then?”

“All it took was one look, I’d know that face anywhere.”

“
Are you sure, I mean is it possible that it’s just someone who remarkably resembles her?”

“
I’m positive. I finally got her to admit that it was her, though why she’s pretending to be somebody she’s not is still beyond me.”

“
Is it possible that she really is the Marchioness Davenport?”

Elliot shrugged. “Anything’s possible I suppose. She never did explain all of that to me.”

“Where has she been all of this time? What happened to her?” Pierce was firing off questions, anxious for answers.

“
I don’t rightfully know the answers about that either,” Elliot admitted dejectedly.

“
Then what do you know?” Pierce was getting frustrated by the lack of information Elliot was sharing.

Elliot swung his legs over the side of the couch and sat up, looking at Pierce pointedly as he spoke, “I know that she doesn’t want anything to do with me,” he said, his voice getting louder with every word. “I know that she doesn’t love me the way I love her and that I’ll most likely never have the answers I’ve been searching for. There, now you know why I’m going to America, because I can’t stay here and see her and not be able to have her. I’ll never get over her if I stay.”

Pierce felt like he had been stabbed in the heart. He knew firsthand how Elliot’s whole heart had been invested in Felicity, the love of his life. He had put his life on hold these last four years; first searching hopelessly for her and then biding his time, refusing to move on and settle for a love that would be less majestic than the love he had already experienced. After all these years to have her back in his life and to have her reject him so harshly would certainly be like living a nightmare. Pierce could only imagine how he’d feel if Hope had done that to him. He’d be broken.

Broken. That’s exactly what Elliot was and in light of recent events, Pierce could feel nothing but sympathy for his oldest and closest friend. “I agree,” he finally conceded. “You need to go to America.”

***

Elliot felt emotionally drained by the time he finally left Pierce’s townhouse. He heaved a long, weary sigh as he lowered himself onto the seat in his carriage. When his eyes finally adjusted to the darkness he nearly jumped out of his skin as he noticed somebody sitting opposite him.

Clasping his hand to his heart he said irritably, “What are you doing Miss Ogglesby? Shouldn’t you be in bed by now?”

He watched as she nervously twisted the ties of her cloak. “I had to talk to you, please just promise me that you’ll hear me out.”

“We have nothing to say to one another. I insist you get back in there before somebody realizes you are missing.”

Elliot’s gruff manner rankled Miss Ogglesby but it wasn’t enough to discourage her from her purpose. Ignoring his commands that she go back in the house, she instead leaned forward and spoke in a loud whisper, “You’ve got to let me come with you.”

Elliot looked at her appalled, “There is absolutely no way that I’m letting you come with me. You can’t come to my house at this time of night, it’s highly improper.” For the first time he noticed the small satchel sitting on the seat next to her and he cringed—she was serious about leaving with him!

“
I’m not talking about tonight, I’m talking about when you leave for America.”

“
There’s absolutely no way that I’m letting you come with me.” Elliot repeated his earlier refusal, still utterly shocked that she thought he would take her request seriously.