Page 55 of Married to the Rake

“Oh nothing really. I was just intending to elope with Mr. Waverley.” She took Augusta’s offered handkerchief and dabbed at her sore eyes. “Nothing of importance.”

“Elope?” Joanna spluttered. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“My father wishes me to marry someone else. Or at least he did.” Chloe scrunched the handkerchief in both hands. “I was feeling a little desperate you see.”

Augusta shook her head. “Oh, Chloe, why did you not tell us?”

Chloe stared at the balled-up piece of fabric, the A for Augusta peeking out between her fingertips. “I am not certain. And it happened very quickly.

“We are your friends,” Joanna reminded her. “We could have helped or at least offered advice.”

Nodding numbly, Chloe glanced between her two friends. She’d only had them as companions for a little while and, truth be told, they were the first true female friends she had ever had. It was hard to know what to do with them at times.

“You are right,” Chloe said on a sigh. “If I had taken but a moment to confide in you, I would have saved myself this pain and humiliation.”

“What happened?” Augusta asked softly.

“We were to elope to Scotland today.” The words sounded silly and hollow when she said them aloud. “Or at least that is what I thought. But it seems Brook was living up to his reputation.”

“How so?” Joanna pressed.

“When I arrived to meet him, he was with another woman.” When she pictured him with the beautiful, raven-haired woman, the pain in her chest started anew. “They were kissing,” she added.

Augusta gasped.

“Oh dear,” Joanna said.

Tears began to bite behind her eyes again and Chloe dropped her face into her hands, her cheeks burning. She felt small and silly and ridiculous all at the same time. The one time she did something frivolous and she wound up with a broken heart. How very typical.

A few moments of silence passed and Chloe lifted her head to see both women exchanging looks.

“What happened after that? What did he say?” Augusta asked softly.

“The woman—Judith I think it was—said they had been lovers for some time.” Chloe grimaced. “She was so beautiful.”

“Did you speak to Brook?” Joanna asked.

“Of course.” Chloe’s chest hurt anew. “We argued. He denied it all and could not believe I doubted him. But you should have seen them together. They looked so”—she gestured with open palms, bringing them together— “perfect with one another.”

Joanna pressed her lips together. “Did you believe him? That they were not lovers?”

“I-I’m not certain. Either way, it does not matter. How could I have ever thought we could be together? Even if he is not guilty of such a thing, it is clear I am not able to get past my doubts. What sort of relationship could we have?”

Joanna leaned over and squeezed her bunched hands. “What can we do for you?”

Biting down on her bottom lip, Chloe lifted both shoulders. It was not terribly conducive at the moment but mostly she wanted to curl up in a ball and cry until there were no more tears left. She could not decide if it was over Brook, because she was so embarrassed, or because she hated herself for letting her fears get the better of her.

“I think…I had better take some time for myself. I am not good company at present.”

Joanna nodded her understanding but Augusta peered at her closely. “Are you certain? We can stay for as long as you need.”

“She needs to be alone for a while,” Joanna said, standing.

Chloe smiled gratefully Joanna. If anyone could understand the pain of losing someone, it was her. Not that Chloe would compare her agony to Joanna’s.

Augusta and Joanna promised to visit tomorrow though Chloe could not see things looking any brighter then. Even with her father less inclined to marry her off.

“Chloe,” called her mother.

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