Page 52 of A Courtesan Countess Worth the Scandal
“We crossed paths once after he left me for that harlot,” her mother muttered angrily. “I’d had a nip to drink, and he were like… putting a warm blanket around your shoulders when it’s cold outside. He were familiar and, Lord help me, I couldn’t help it. I’ve always loved him. Still do, though I know he’s a bastard, and I hate him more than I love him. Only right thing he did by me was give me the two of you.”
Nora’s mouth fell open. “So, Pais… my Pa and Lily’s Pa?”
“Aye, he is, though he never even knew Lily existed. I figured it were easier for Lily to think he’d gone away somewhere, and wouldn’t ever come back,” her mother replied sadly. “When she were born, I wondered if I were bein’ punished for bein’ weak… but I wouldn’t have her any other way, now. She’s exactly as she’s meant to be. And he never deserved to know her.”
Nora’s head began to spin. Since her father walked out on them, she had never been able to get an honest answer out of her mother, about what had actually happened. And though her mother still was not going into the specifics, it was more than Nora had ever heard before. Indeed, the fact her mother had actually admitted that her daughters shared the same father was beyond anything Nora could have hoped for.
“Then, where is he, Ma?” Nora pressed. “I don’t want to see him, but I’d like to know if he’s still in this city.”
Her mother raised her head, her eyes shining with unexpected tears. “He’s dead, My Girl. Must be a few years ago, now.” Her breath hitched. “That harlot he left me for… she killed him after she found out he’d been spreadin’ himself around, though I don’t think she ever knew about his one last night with me.”
Nora almost toppled out of the armchair in shock as a wrenching pain tore through her chest. Of course, she had despised her father for leaving them with nothing, but he had still been her father. She could remember happy times when she was a girl, when all had been well, and her mother had looked at him as though he were the most wonderful person in the world. Those memories did not go away, they only became somewhat tarnished.
“He died?” Nora choked.
Her mother nodded slowly. “I found out from a friend of ours. Don’t even know where he’s buried.” A sob hiccupped out of her mouth. “And it’s even more infuriatin’ because he’d still be alive if he’d just stayed with me. If he’d been true to his marriage vows, none of it would’ve happened. You wouldn’t have had to do what you did to earn us a livin’, he’d be here, and my heart wouldn’t be in bits.”
“I need to… send a letter to Lord Keswick.” Stunned by the revelations she had just heard, Nora rose from her chair. “And I need to think about… everything you’ve just said.”
Her mother’s eyes widened in panic. “Do you hate me for not tellin’ you sooner?”
“I never could, Ma. It’s not your fault.” Nora swallowed thickly. “It’s just a lot to take in, and I need to think about getting us all out of here. I’m not having the same thing happen to us because I’ve angered some brutes who are getting their just desserts.”
Her mother nodded. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make him stay.”
“Don’t say that, Ma.” Nora’s voice softened. “You’re not to blame. You loved someone and he betrayed you. He didn’t deserve to die, but you weren’t responsible for his death.”
Her mother held onto Nora’s hand a moment longer. “You go and write that letter. Maybe it’d do this old heart some good to get away from the place where it all happened, you know?”
“I hope so, Ma.” With that, Nora walked toward the door, her head filled with a thousand confused thoughts. But through the tangled mass, one thought shouted louder than the rest,If I were to open my heart to Liam, would he betray me, too? Or do two broken hearts somehow make a whole?
As she walked out into the entrance hall, she supposed there was no use in thinking such things. He had already told her that their “marriage” would be an act, nothing more. One kiss did not mean anything, especially in the context of her fever and fatigue. All she had to do was play her part, and keep him at a friendly distance, for both their sakes.
For, maybe, two broken hearts merely made two halves that would never fit together.
Chapter Twenty-Three
With the sun setting on the horizon, blanketing London in a molten sheen of bronze, Liam paced his library. He had tried to occupy his mind with books, correspondence, and music, among other things, but nothing had worked as a distraction. Indeed, he had lost count of the times he had walked to the silver tray by the door, to see if any post had arrived, or had called for Wilks to ask if there had been any express messengers.
“You shall wear a hole in the rug, Westwood.” Carlton looked up from a letter he was in the midst of writing. “What in Heaven’s name is the matter with you? You look as though you are awaiting the debt collectors.”
Liam sighed. “I have yet to hear from Miss Black, and I cannot rest until she has agreed to my plan.”
“I still think it unwise,” Carlton replied, gaining a sharp look from Denninson, who was quietly sipping brandy by the fireplace. The evening chill whistled in through the gap beneath the library door, and crept through the slight cracks around the windowpanes, but the library sweltered with the fire’s warmth.
After returning from his meeting with Nora at her townhouse, he had informed his friends of what he intended to do. They had been more than happy to journey to Keswick Manor, where they would enjoy the delights of a country ball, but they had been less than thrilled to hear that Nora would be accompanying them, under the guise of a wife. Still, Liam had already made up his mind, it did not matter if they did not agree with his plan, as long as they reluctantly went along with it.
“But you know we will do whatever you ask,” Denninson assured. “Although, in the midst of your frantic pacing, you have not yet told us what you actually need us to do?”
“Pretend you were witnesses at my wedding to Miss Black, who will become “Lady Keswick”. And maintain the ruse that her Mother is descended from Jersey nobility, and so is her Sister,” Liam explained, realizing what he was referring to. “No one in the north will know any different. Indeed, many southern members of high society have little knowledge of Jersey’s elite. Although, those attending the ball might not take too kindly to my new bride at first. You must aid in that and persuade them of her good character.”
Denninson nodded sagely. “And what of your Uncle? Have you informed him of what is happening, or will he be oblivious to the truth, also?”
“I will tell him everything upon our arrival, as I missed the opportunity to inform him before he left,” Liam replied decisively. “You see, if Miss Black agrees to this, there will be no time to send a letter, for we will have to leave as soon as possible. Perhaps as early as tomorrow, if everything can be packed and prepared by then.”
At that moment, a knock sounded at the library door, and Wilks entered with a letter in hand.
“You said you wanted me to deliver any mail to you immediately, My Lord,” he announced, hurrying across the room to where Liam stood, close to the fireside. There, he handed Liam the letter and lingered beside his employer, no doubt awaiting further instruction.
