Chapter 19

Chapter 19

"It really was so kind of you to invite me, Edmund. I was only too pleased to accept. I'm sorry about the other night. It must've been terrible for you to find out about...well, the infidelity," Lavinia said, lowering her voice as she put her hand on Edmund's arm.

It was as much as Edmund could do not to shudder as she did so, but this was all part of his plan. Having greeted Lavinia, he had excused himself and gone to talk to several of the other guests before the party had made its way outside to mingle before the first course was served. Here, Edmund had allowed himself to separate from the group, standing alone, for he knew Lavinia would approach him.

"Yes...it was terrible. And I'm sorry for my reaction toward you, Lavinia. You were only trying to help. I know that. You were very kind. Had you and your mother not led me outside...well, I'd never have discovered the truth. Would I?" he said, and Lavinia shook her head.

"No, you'd still be in the dark, and goodness only knows what depths she'd have sunk to. I think it's very brave of you to admit the marriage hasn't worked. It takes courage. She'll be damaged for life, of course. But that's not your problem, Edmund. You deserve to be happy," Lavinia said, still with her hand on Edmund's arm.

Again, he found it hard not to shudder at these words. She really was an odious creature, even as there had been a time when Edmund had been fooled by her act. Now, he knew Lavinia wanted only her own advantage, and Edmund had every intention of denying her it.

"That's very kind of you to say, Lavinia. I have to admit, it's not been the easiest of times. But I'm grateful for friends like you," Edmund said.

Lavinia nodded, still with her hand on Edmund's arm. She leaned forward, lowering her voice as she spoke.

"You can always count on me, Edmund. I mean it. I can only imagine how you're feeling. It's all been so hurried. When you married Johanna in such haste, I was ever so worried. But you've realized the error of your ways. She can't be trusted," Lavinia said, shaking her head and tutting.

There was no holding back. Lavinia clearly believed she had the advantage and that Edmund was now hers. Edmund was counting on her naivete to continue, and now he leaned forward so their faces were almost touching.

"I was wondering...perhaps we could skip the first course. I'd like you to see something. There's a summerhouse at the end of the garden. It's quite secluded," he said.

Edmund knew Lavinia would not be able to resist, and now she looked at him with excitement in her eyes, her grip on his arm tightening as she spoke.

"Would we be...alone?" she asked, seeming hardly able to contain her excitement at the prospect.

"Oh, yes...quite alone. We could slip away now if you'd like. I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind. Not if it was with me…" Edmund said.

He was playing his hand now, and relying on Lavinia continuing to allow heart to gain over head. What he was proposing was scandalous, any woman would know that. But it seemed her infatuation was now to get the better of her as she nodded, her eyes wide with excited anticipation.

"There're enough people here. We won't be seen. Unless she's watching us, of course," Lavinia replied.

But this was all part of the plan, and Edmund now turned, pointing surreptitiously toward where Lord Fitzroy was talking to Johanna.

"Oh, I think she's made her choice," he said, and Lavinia gasped.

"The harlot...she's shameless," she exclaimed.

Edmund had wondered if Lavinia might have questioned the fact of such blatant an appearance by Lord Fitzroy, but she seemed only to take it as fresh evidence of Johanna's obvious infidelity, and now there could be no question of her desiring to succeed in her own intentions. But that was the point; Edmund had known Lavinia would not be able to resist his invitation, and now he pointed to a path leading across the lawn and down to the bottom of the garden.

"Shall we?" he asked, offering Lavinia his arm, and Lavinia nodded.

"And what happens when we get there?" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement.

"Oh, you'll have to see," Edmund replied, as now he led her down the garden path, just as she and her mother had done the same to Johanna…

***

"I just want to apologize. That's the truth," Lord Fitzroy said.

Johanna looked at him in surprise. There had been a delay in serving the first course, and the guests were still milling around on the lawn as the dowager circulated, making excuses. Tabitha was with Roger, and finding herself alone, Johanna had been approached by Lord Fitzroy as she helped herself to a glass of punch.

"Well...if you really mean it," Johanna replied, for she was not the sort of person who held a grudge.

Lord Fitzroy nodded.

"Your husband and I had a long talk. He told me...certain things…about Lavinia and her mother. I feel rather foolish, actually. I thought it was all a bit of fun. But it was my reputation she was risking, too. I had debts, you see—mounting debts. I like to give the impression of wealth. I'm probably seen as something of a rake...but I genuinely believed I was being introduced to a woman who might reciprocate my advances. When I realized that wasn't the case, I still went along with it—urged on by Lavinia. But Edmund offered me an alternative view," Lord Fitzroy said.

Johanna sighed. She was not the sort of person who bore grudges, though Lavinia and her mother had certainly tested that resolve. She was willing to forgive him and forget the whole matter, but she wanted to understand how Edmund had persuaded Lord Fitzroy as to the error of his ways. In their first encounter, it had seemed Lord Fitzroy exuded confidence, and now Johanna feared it might have been a financial settlement that had settled the matter, rather than a genuine change of heart.

"And what was it?" Johanna asked.

"He suggested Lavinia would be only too glad to destroy my reputation along with yours if necessary. She told me you wanted a way out of the marriage—that you weren't happy at the prospect of a life lived as a result of convenience. The way she explained it, there was a genuine scandal involved, one you wanted to extricate yourself from. I never realized you might actually be in love with him," he said.

At these words, Johanna was somewhat taken aback. She had known Edmund had gone to visit Lord Fitzroy and that some kind of deal had been made. But the manner of Edmund's persuasion now revealed something of his true feelings for her. He had told Lord Fitzroy he loved her. It was a simple thing, but entirely heartfelt. Edmund had no reason to say it if it was not true, and now Johanna could only feel grateful to her husband for all he had done for her.

"Well...I'm glad you understand it," she said, and Lord Fitzroy nodded.

"Actually, I rather envy him. I envy anyone who finds true love. Being a rake has its advantages as far as pleasure's concerned, but sometimes I wish for something more than fleeting pastimes," he said, shaking his head sadly.

"And I hope one day you find more," Johanna replied, feeling genuinely sorry for him.

"And that's what Edmund persuaded me of, too. Did you see him and Lavinia slip away to the summerhouse just now?" Lord Fitzroy asked.

Johanna looked around. She had not noticed anything, but now she saw no sign of either Edmund or Lavinia. They were gone, and the dowager now called the company to order.

"My lords, ladies, and gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here this evening to the Beaumont Dinner…" she began.

Lord Fitzroy now leaned forward to whisper in Lavinia's ear.

"We're to follow them to the summerhouse. He's there now with her. We're to appear before anything untoward can occur on Lavinia's part. She thinks she's being seduced. Make it seem as though we're bickering with one another as we enter. Edmund's going to reveal he knows Lavinia paid me for what I did," he said.

But before they could go, Johanna stopped him.

"Why are you doing this? What do you gain from it?" she asked, and Lord Fitzroy sighed.

"Perhaps a chance for a new beginning," he said, and Johanna smiled at him.

"Very well...I just hope Edmund knows what he's doing," she replied.