“Good morning, Cecily,” he said sheepishly, announcing his presence.
Cecily gave him a tense smile as he took a seat in a chair just beside hers.
“Good morning, Val,” she said, her voice as timid as her face.
Val cleared his throat. He could not bear to see that expression on his wife’s beautiful face. He decided he would not muck around about doing what he set out to do.
“Cecily,” he said, taking a seat across from her. “I wish to apologise to you for my abrupt behaviour yesterday. It was rude and unbecoming, and you did not deserve it. Please, forgive me.”
For a moment, she looked confused, as though an apology was the last thing she had expected. Then, she gave him a warm smile and shook her head.
“That is quite well,” she said. “I completely understand that you had a pressing business matter to oversee. I would never wish to keep you from something so important.”
Val’s stomach twisted with guilt. He could not keep the secret from Cecily. With a heavy sigh, he looked at her face. She could not see his eyes, but he could see hers. If he was going to be truthful, he was going to look at his wife as he did so.
“That is something else for which I must ask your forgiveness,” he said. “I lied when I said about a business matter. If you would like to hear it, I would like to explain to you why I did such a thing. You deserve that much, at the very least.”
Cecily looked only the tiniest bit hurt. He thought that, above that, he saw confirmation of a suspicion in her eyes.
“Of course, go on Val,” she said softly. “I will hear whatever you have to say.”
Val took a breath, trying to understand how he was so lucky to marry a woman who was every bit as sweet and understanding as she was lovely.
“It was just that I felt so awkward whenever you spoke of your sister’s courtship,” he said. “It brought back memories that I had hoped to keep long buried.”
Cecily’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward in her seat.
“Oh, Val,” she said. “I’m truly sorry. I never meant to say anything to upset you.”
Val shook his head, hoping she could at least sense the urgency with which he did so.
“Not a matter, Cecily,” he said. “You had no way of knowing. And I will never blame you for something you could not have possibly known. It is difficult for me to discuss, but I thank you for being so kind and listening to me.”
Cecily gave him a nod of encouragement.
“Please, continue, Val,” she said.
Val sighed again.
“You see,” he began, struggling to pull the words from the pained part of his heart. “Five years ago, I met a lady, and she and I fell in love. We had a short courtship, and then became betrothed.”
He had to pause, his emotions threatening to make him flee his wife again. But Cecily looked at him with unfocused but kind, sympathetic eyes.
“I understand,” she said. Take your time. I am right here for you.”
Val looked at his wife, again marveling at her sweetness.
“Thank you,” he said again, taking a deep breath before beginning again. “We were happy, and very much looking forward to spending our lives together. I truly believed that she loved me unconditionally. I was very wrong, however.”
He stopped again, surprised that he was telling Cecily about Lady Jocelyn. It was difficult to discuss with anyone, even his mother, who had witnessed everything. But he wondered if it was something he should tell his new wife. Though it was a marriage of convenience, he didn’t know if he should speak about past love.
“She left you?” Cecily asked, clearly wanting to know more. Just as apparent was her concern and compassion. He took a deep breath and gave his blind wife a sad smile.
“She did,” he said. “After my accident, my betrothed called off our engagement. She said that she could never marry a man with such a disfigured face.”
Cecily gasped, covering her mouth with both her hands. Val winced, thinking that he had horrified his wife by admitting to his disgusting appearance. He stared in awe as she rose from her seat, clumsily feeling her way around the table between them so that she could move to the seat beside him. He stared at her as she patted until she found his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. There were tears in her eyes, and she looked at him with an understanding that left him breathless.
“I am so sorry that happened to you,” she said. “That was terribly unfair, and you did not deserve such coldness.” She paused to fumble for her handkerchief in her dress pocket. She dabbed at his eyes and then took his hand again. “Thank you for sharing that part of yourself with me. I know that was not easy for you, and I want you to know that I am grateful that you gave me the chance to know you better.”
