Page 11 of A Lady's Heart Deceived
Please don’t tell me he is some rake of renown disrepute. He seemed so lovely.
Her mother had a nose for such things. She knew all the best gossip in and about high society. Mary Radley was possessed with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of every scandal, both public and secret, which had occurred within thetonover the past three decades.
“Piers Denford. Or, rather, the Honorable Piers Denford, is Viscount Denford’s eldest son. Lovely family from Northamptonshire. His mother is a delight,” said Mary.
Claire clapped her hands together with unrestrained glee. “That’s wonderful news. Maggie and the dashing captain heading off into the sunset together with Maggie one day becoming Viscountess Denford. Dearest Mama, what shall I wear for the wedding? That new burgundy bonnet would go well with my cream gown. Perhaps a matching shawl?”
Maggie was ready to throttle her sister.
Fabulous. Just what I need. Mama will now be trying to play at matchmaker. Papa won’t agree to me travelling with Captain Denford if he thinks my honor might be at risk, and my sister is in grave danger of feeling the hard toe of my walking boot.
Mary shook her head. “Unfortunately, there won’t be a marriage between Maggie and the future Viscount Denford. He is already betrothed to Lady …” Her brow furrowed, as if she were deep with thought. She waved her hand in the air. “I cannot recall the girl’s name. Some family friend, I think. It was early last year that I heard whispers of a future union, but come to think of it, I don’t remember ever hearing of a wedding.” She pursed her lips. “Most peculiar.”
Claire, who had been feeding King bits of bacon under the table, suddenly righted herself. Maggie’s heart sank at the expression on her sister’s face. Claire Radley loved nothing better than a juicy scandal. Her green eyes danced with mischief. “Gosh, that sounds intriguing.”
Hugh shot a hard glare in her direction and cleared his throat. “I shouldn’t have to remind those members of the Radley family seated at this table of the cost that comes with scandalous behavior.”
“Yes, but not all of it ends badly,” grumbled Claire.
James Radley, the eldest of the Radley offspring, had eloped from his best friend’s wedding with the bride. It was later discovered that Claire had had a sly hand in the matter. And while things had ended well and the young couple were now happily wed, Hugh and Mary were still coming to terms with it.
Maggie had heard that the rumor mill still bubbled back to life whenever James and Leah Radley’s names were mentioned in polite conversation.
Claire leaned over and met Maggie’s gaze. “Perhaps Captain Denford secretly called it off. Jilted the girl. Thought he might do better. Tell me, is he rather handsome? He is, isn’t he?”
Yes, he is certainly a dashing looking officer.
She pushed the unbidden thought aside. His looks had nothing to do with her.
Mary wagged a finger at her youngest daughter. “A lady is always the one to end matters. And no one has said that the betrothal was over. One more word from you, young lady, and you will be spending the rest of the day mending dishtowels.”
Maggie could see her plans slowly unraveling. It was time to make one last desperate push. “Whether Captain Denford is betrothed is neither here nor there. I want to go to Coventry to find Robert. Well, I mean, details about him, and possibly, his family. The last thing I have on my mind is to fall in love with a stranger.”
“I could come with you,” offered Claire.
“Out of the question,” replied both Mary and Hugh.
Claire went back to feeding the dog.
“I am twenty-six years old. Many people in society view me as a widow, so I don’t see the problem with me travelling out of town with the captain. We would be staying in separate rooms at any accommodations along the way. And if, as you say, Captain Denford is already engaged to another woman, he is unlikely to put himself in a position where he would be forced to marry me,” said Maggie.
Claire tittered, but neither of their parents laughed. Both sat with guarded expressions on their faces. The reputation of a young, unmarried woman was a precious thing in the eyes of society. Something to be fiercely guarded.
A frustrated Maggie sighed. “We will be taking the public coach. I doubt he will get the opportunity to ruin me while we are pressed shoulder to shoulder with ten other passengers.”
“If he can manage that, you should definitely marry him,” said Claire. She broke into a fit of giggles, tipping so far over to one side that she fell off her chair. King barked loudly as she landed on the floor next to him. The dog obviously thought it was some sort of game and jumped all over Claire. The commotion bordered on lunacy.
Hugh shook his head. Mary opened her mouth to speak as a snorting Claire struggled to her feet and headed for the door, taking King with her. “Yes, Mama. I am going to my room. I promise I won’t come down until supper.”
As soon as the door closed, Maggie turned to her parents. It was time to offer up some well-considered concessions. “If you agree to let me, go, I promise to reenter society when I return. That includes parties, balls, and private dinners.”
Mary’s eyebrows lifted. “And what about your dull, drab attire? I am prepared to offer my support to this trip if you set aside your pale lilacs upon your return. I want to see my beautiful daughter in colors. And for her light to shine again.”
One parent was on the verge of caving; she just had to get her father across the line. Maggie held her breath, waiting for his response.
“The Denford family are solid, dependable people. Captain Denford has clearly been given his orders to go to Coventry and seek whatever information he can regarding Robert. While I am not entirely pleased at the notion of my unwed daughter travelling the countryside, if it means that you are prepared to move on with your life, I will agree to you going,” said Hugh.
Maggie nodded. “I know you don’t want me spending the rest of my life grieving. And I think this expedition might be exactly what I need. If I can finally get some answers, I shall be able to leave my grief in the past. I will always cherish Robert’s memory, but it is time to look to the future.”
