Chapter 27

Chapter 27

"Celestina," Edward said, welcoming her with open arms as the butler showed her into his study. He wore a wide, magnanimous grin as though he were welcoming an old friend, and it only made the rage inside Celestina boil further.

"Mr Willoughby," she said firmly, her lips pursed in a way that she hoped showed she meant business. Sylvia hovered beside her for support, though her strength didn't quite match Celestina's own.

"Come in, come in," Edward said, ushering them further into the room. "The maid will fetch us tea and biscuits. Do sit, won't you."

Celestina didn't want to sit, and she certainly didn't want tea and biscuits. But she sat down all the same and glanced around the room. If she didn't already know what a horrid man Edward Willoughby was, there would be no indication of it in his study. The room was light and airy, and it felt endlessly welcoming. She could imagine herself spending many an hour in that room—if only that picture didn't include Edward himself.

The desk sat in the recess of the large bay window, which looked out over the green and vibrant gardens. There was only one low bookcase, and the rest of the walls painted bright white, only interrupted by an oil lamp in a sconce. In another life, Celestina could picture herself curled up on the window seat, a novel in her lap.

Richard popped into her mind then. She imagined him entering the room with his warm smile. He'd approach her, kiss the top of her head, and ask her how her day was going and whether she was enjoying the book.

She felt something snap in her chest as she realized how impossible that would be. She could love him in secret all she liked, but that was all it would ever be. He was a duke, and she was a servant and a fallen woman. He had far better prospects than her.

"I must say," Edward said, pulling her from her thoughts. He sank into his own seat at the far end of the desk. "I was both surprised and delighted to receive your letter. I am glad to see you have finally come to your senses. My offer to you is a good one, you know. Many women—especially those in your situation—would accept it eagerly. Watching you struggle on your own is endearing, but eventually, even you have to admit—"

"Why are you threatening me?" she asked, the words a snap in the air. She'd been unable to stop herself.

Edward let out a belly laugh, leaning back in his chair like some uncouth brute, his hands clasped over his burgeoning stomach. His eyes seemed to sparkle at her words as if lured by her anger.

"Threatening? Goodness, no. Whatever gave you that idea?"

Celestina growled. "Perhaps it was the letter you sent me with the direct threat in it," she said, raising her eyebrows.

"That wasn't a threat, dear. But you must understand my predicament."

"It was blackmail, pure and simple."

On those words, the maid came in with a rattling tray of teacups. Her shoulders were hunched, her skin pale, and Celestina wondered whether it was working for Edward that had made the girl curl in on herself.

Celestina and Edward slipped into a tense silence as the maid poured the tea and handed out biscuits. Celestina seethed from the amused grin on Edward's face. She stared at him, not daring to take her eyes from him in fear of what he might do when she wasn't looking. He stared back, their eyes locked. It was so different from when she locked eyes with Richard. Beside her, Sylvia was tense and fearful.

"You are my late husband's business partner," she said once the maid scuttled away. "We have known one another for years!"

"One could even say we're friends," Edward said in his smarmy, sing-song voice. "We are friends, aren't we, Celestina?"

Celestina scoffed. She couldn't believe the audacity of the man. "Friends do not send each other threatening letters," she said. "My husband is dead; I have lost everything, and I am working for a living like a … like a …" She inhaled deeply to stop the waterfall of words continuing. Closing her eyes to steady herself, she began again. "I want only to move on with my life and live in peace. A friend would understand that."

When she opened her eyes again, she saw him leering at her, his bottom lip shiny with saliva from where he had been licking his lips. She ground her teeth together.

"I admire your resilience. I really do." He chuckled, and the sound made Celestina shudder. "And I must be honest, it only makes me desire you all the more. You are a rare breed indeed."

He ogled her, openly looking her up and down as if she were a piece of meat for appraisal. But she refused to shrink away or curl in on herself. She kept her chin high and her back straight and looked at him head-on.

"If you admire it so, why would you try to prevent it?" she asked, keeping her voice steady and low.

Edward laughed again, seemingly enjoying their little game. "There you go again. It's honestly very endearing."

"I don't have the sort of money you are demanding, Edward, and you well know it."

He licked his lips, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the desk. "I'll tell you what. Become mine. Marry me—or not, if you're happy to merely be a kept woman. And then I'll make this entire scandal disappear. Or rather, I'll stop it from appearing in the first place."

Celestina cried out. "You are a wealthy man, and you are not un attractive. Why can you not find a woman who actually wants you? Because I sure as anything do not."

"And that makes you all the more alluring," he said with a grin. "Only you will do, Celestina. It's always only been you."

And the other women you've blackmailed , Celestina thought bitterly. Though she had no evidence for such a thing, she knew the person he was well enough, and she had no doubt he had done this before. Probably several times.

"So, what do you say?" he asked.

Her mind raced, her eyes darting around the room. She glanced at Sylvia, who only looked back with a terrified expression. She seemed to beg Celestina silently. Don't do it; don't do it.

"Give me more time," she said, turning back to Edward.

He huffed and shrugged as if such a thing were out of his hands. But she couldn't give up that easily.

"I will get your money," she said. "Somehow, I'll find it."

"Is the thought of becoming mine really so awful?"

She decided to ignore the question because her answer would surely offend him. Instead, she said, "Another few weeks. Anything you can give me. You were right—you're entitled to the money." The lie was bitter on her tongue. "And so I'll find it, I promise you. I just need a little more time."

Edward narrowed his eyes at her. "You are taking advantage of my good nature, Celestina."

"Not at all," she said quickly. "It's only that I know how kind you are, and we are old friends, after all. What's a couple of weeks between friends?"

With another huff, he said, "I have been quite kind enough. We are indeed old friends, but old friends also do not take advantage of one another."

"Please, Edward," Celestina said, leaning forward in desperation. "Please, a few days. Anything at all."

He leered at her again. "All right. I will be generous, though I think we can both agree that I am going above and beyond what is required of me. I will give you one month to tie up any loose ends, get rid of …"

He nodded towards Sylvia, and Celestina once more wanted to scream at him. She bit back her fury.

"And then?" she said, her voice shaking with control.

"And then you can move into the townhouse I have already prepared for you. It's been waiting for you for months, in fact."

Celestina sighed and looked down at her lap. She was defeated, and she knew it. She had no choice any longer. She nodded. "Very well."

"And do not ask your little friend the duke for the money either," Edward warned. "I will know that it's come from him and refuse it. Do you understand me?"

She nodded again, not raising her head to meet his gaze. It felt as if the entire world was upon her back, and there was no way for her to stand up again. She was beaten, and there was nothing to be done about it.

"Well then," she said quietly. "I suppose I ought to make my preparations."

"Excellent!" Edward clapped his hands as he stood up. "I will be in contact very soon, now that you can't hide from me any longer."

As they sloped out of the house, the air suddenly cold and uncomfortable, Sylvia turned her unbelieving gaze on Celestina.

"Why on earth did you agree?"

Celestina's gaze snapped to her former maid. "What exactly did you expect me to do? I had no choice. But worry not. Richard will continue to look after you."

"That's not what I'm worried about," Sylvia hissed. "With the greatest respect, Mrs Courtenay, but you are making a mistake! You need to speak with the duke. He will find a solution."

"You heard Edward," Celestina snapped. "He will not accept any money that I've sourced from the duke. Now, please, be quiet. I have a headache."

Celestina turned the corner towards home, but Sylvia hovered on the corner. She huffed, exhaustion washing through her in waves. "What is it now?"

"I have the rest of the day off work," Sylvia said.

Celestina bowed her head. "Yes."

"Then I should like the afternoon to myself if you don't mind."

Celestina blinked at her, both surprised and hurt. Couldn't her maid see she needed her?

But she is no longer my maid.

It would be unfair to expect her to give up her afternoon for Celestina's troubles. Celestina nodded, throwing Sylvia one last sad look, then turned and walked home.

***

"Sylvia!" Walter said when he opened the door. She had knocked incessantly for a whole minute, the little rat-tat-tat ringing through his offices. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm so sorry to bother you, but I think I need your help."

"Come in," he said, then led her to his desk.

Her eyes were wide with panic, but beneath that, Walter could see the beauty he had come to dream of each night. He was worried for her, but it warmed his heart to see her, and he was glad that she felt she could come to him when in trouble.

"I am delighted to see you," he said softly, his gaze steady on her bright eyes and the gentle curve of her neck.

She looked at him from under her lashes, her cheeks flushed at his words. "Really?"

"Really," he said.

He knew, of course, that she had a fondness for him. It had been evident from that very first day. And it was true that he also had some measure of affection for her. But he knew he had to deal with business before he turned his attention to Sylvia. He needed to get the matter of Mr and Mrs Courtenay out of the way, and then they could both move on with their lives.

"But as pleased as I am," he said, breaking the spell of their gaze, "I can see something is bothering you. Would you care to tell me what it is?"

He watched her try to find the words. In his drab, grey office, she sparkled like a gem. Like light breaking through dark clouds. He wanted to pursue her, but he wanted to do so without anything hanging over their heads.

"It's just … Celestina doesn't know I'm here."

"Very well." He bowed his head, silently encouraging her to continue, a knot of concern tightening his chest.

"Do you have any further information? About Edward Willoughby, I mean."

Walter shook his head sadly. He had yet to find anything incriminating, but he would find it. "Not yet, I'm afraid, but I'm not giving up. I know there is something."

Sylvia sighed. "I haven't told Celestina because I don't want to get her hopes up, but …" She leaned in. "Walter, things are getting serious. Edward has found us, and he is threatening Celestina."

At that, she burst into tears. Walter's heart broke at the sight of it, but instead of reaching out to comfort her, he handed her a handkerchief. She took it gratefully and dabbed her cheeks.

"Tell me everything."

An hour later, Walter understood everything. As he showed Sylvia to the door, he felt the dread he had seen on Sylvia's face when she'd arrived. He had a month to gather as much information as he could against Edward Willoughby, or he would lose both Celestina and Sylvia for good.