Chapter 20

Chapter 20

"Isn't this fun?" Lavinia said as she followed Edmund into the summerhouse.

Edmund did not think it was fun at all, but he continued the act as he and Lavinia had made their way along the path leading to the bottom of the garden. They had left the chatter of the guests behind, and as they entered the summerhouse, Edmund could only hope Lord Fitzroy and Johanna would not be far behind. He knew what Lavinia was thinking—that there was every possibility of seduction and that if he should submit to her, he would be hers. But Edmund had no intention of submitting to Lavinia's charms—as lacking as they were. In all things, he compared her to Johanna, and in all things, he found her lacking.

"Yes, it's a beautiful summerhouse. I like to come here and read or practice the violin," Edmund said.

"You should've brought it this evening and serenaded me. Oh, Edmund, I feel so happy at the prospect of our...well, I think we both know why you brought me here, don't we?" Lavinia said.

Edmund smiled. He wanted her to go on thinking that thought for as long as possible. He was lulling her into a false sense of security. Her guard was down, and he needed only to lead her on a little further…

"Yes, it's not been easy. And to think of the shame to come," he said, shaking his head.

"Oh, but a man's shame isn't the same as a woman's. And besides, there's no shame for you, is there? It's her that's at fault. She's the one who did this, not you. Annul the marriage, and then I'm sure you'll find a very...understanding response," she said, placing her hand on his arm and smiling.

She was the shameless one—like a vulture circling above a dying animal waiting to swoop. She believed she had gained her victory and the prize was hers for the taking, but Edmund had no intention of her gaining it. He was about to lay his final card on the table—the trump to outdo Lavinia's own previous flush. Now, he heard footsteps coming along the path outside the summerhouse, and as Lavinia looked up in surprise, Edmund smiled at her.

***

"It'll be dark soon. We don't have much time," Lord Fitzroy said as Johanna followed him along the path to the summerhouse.

She knew the dowager would be wondering where she and Edmund had gone, making excuses as she tried to buy time before their return. But as the dinner was about to be ruined anyway, it hardly seemed to matter…

"This is certainly going to give the ton something to think about, isn't it? They all believe they're going to hear an announcement about an annulment," Johanna said, shaking her head at the very thought of it.

"Well...they're about to hear something far more interesting. They're about to learn what Lavinia's really like. I was such a fool to allow myself to be bought like that," Lord Fitzroy said.

Again, the question of whether Edmund had offered Lord Fitzroy money came to mind, and Johanna could not help but ask it, knowing she did not want to think Edmund had put his assets at risk for her sake.

"I just don't like the thought of money changing hands," she said, after she had asked the question.

Lord Fitzroy paused and turned to her.

"No, Edmund didn't give me money. But he's allowed me to put what little money I still have into some safe investments of his. He's going to help me get back on my feet and clear my debts. Lavinia offered me money, and she offered me you, as well. I'd have been shamed in both ways," he said, shaking his head sadly.

Johanna now felt reassured, and as they approached the summerhouse, she saw Edmund and Lavinia standing inside.

"What do we do now?" she whispered, and Lord Fitzroy cleared his throat.

"We pretend to argue...now, Johanna, I won't hear you say such things...I'll marry you, but it has to be on my terms. I won't be dictated to by a woman," he said, raising his voice as he spoke.

Johanna played along as the two of them hurried toward the summerhouse, each pretending to be oblivious to the occupants inside.

"Kiss me here if you really mean it. I'll have the annulment by tomorrow. It hardly matters, does it? We can be married at Gretna Green within a week," she said, jabbing Lord Fitzroy in the arm as she spoke.

"Kiss you here? Oh, yes, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" he replied, as now he pulled open the door, revealing the startled face of Lavinia looking back at them.

As they entered the summerhouse, Johanna met Lavinia's eye with a defiant gaze. This was it, The decisive moment. Lavinia's expression altered. She looked suddenly perturbed, glancing at Edmund as though suspecting something was amiss.

"What's all this about? What are they doing here? Or did you think you could have your dirty little liaison here before the first course?" Lavinia exclaimed, glaring at Johanna, who continued to hold her gaze with defiance.

"I could say the same about you, Lavinia—leading my husband to the summerhouse like this. And for what reason? What did you think to gain from it?" Johanna asked.

Lavinia pointed at her angrily.

"You're the one leading others on. The two of you should be ashamed of yourselves. The way you've treated Edmund. It's wicked," she snarled, appearing to regain her composure.

Did she think she had the upper hand? Johanna glanced at Edmund. She did not know what he was about to do. She had trusted him up to now, but despite Lord Frederick's words, a certain doubt still filled her mind. Lavinia could so easily have manipulated him. What if Johanna herself was walking into a trap?

"No, Lavinia. The way you've treated us all—that's what's wicked," Edmund replied, pulling his arm away from Lavinia's hand as she stared at him in astonishment.

"Edmund? What do you mean? What are you saying? You don't mean it Edmund...just now...the things you were saying?" she exclaimed, and Edmund shook his head.

"Lies, Lavinia. You're not the only one who can tell them. But fortunately for the rest of us, we saw through them—including Lord Fitzroy. We know you paid him to try to seduce Johanna at the masquerade, and we know you promised her to him by way of making the deal sweeter. But it wasn't to be, Lavinia, and for one simple reason. Love. I love Johanna, and she loves me. Your promises were empty, and I think you knew it, too. Lord Fitzroy never had a chance. You fooled him, just as you fooled the rest of the ton with the spread of your vicious rumors," he said.

Lavinia faltered, gasping as though a bullet had just pierced her heart. She staggered back, clutching her hands together as she let out a wail.

"You...you...no...it wasn't...you can't…" she stammered, but Edmund shook his head.

"We know you gave Lord Fitzroy money. He still has it, and he's willing to testify as to the promises you made to him as to what Johanna was meant to be to you. But she was never going to be his bride, and I was never going to be your husband," Edmund said, and now he slipped his arm around Johanna and drew her into his embrace.

She smiled at him, feeling entirely overwhelmed with relief as to what had just happened. It was as though a great weight had been lifted from her mind, and she smiled, slipping her arm around him and gazing at him with a look of love. He had proved his words to Lord Fitzroy, and now there could be no doubt in her mind as to how he felt for her.

"There was never going to be an annulment, Lavinia," Johanna said, shaking her head.

"I lied to you, Lavinia. But you were too quick to believe you were about to get everything you wanted," Edmund said, and Lavinia shook her fist at him angrily.

"You can't prove it. I can still ruin you. I can say this was all a plot...that you led me here to ruin me, and when Johanna appeared, you tried to make it seem I was the one in the wrong. I won't...you can't…" she cried, but Edmund shook his head.

"It's no use, Lavinia. No one's going to believe you. Not when we have the testimony of your maid, Rebecca," he said.

Lavinia paused, staring at him in disbelief.

"What...what do you mean?" she demanded.

"Well, it seems you don't treat your servants very well, and your maid, especially. The promise of a job in my household and a raise in her salary was more than enough for her to admit to being the one forced to make a forgery of my handwriting from letters I'd sent you in the past. She even showed Johanna's brother the notebooks in which she'd practiced. She was very good, actually. But I hold no animosity toward her," he said.

At this, Lavinia let out an anguished cry, cursing each of them in turn.

"I loved you, Edmund. I'd have been yours—all yours. But instead...you chose this wicked harlot," she exclaimed, and now she lunged toward Johanna, as though ready to strike her.

Johanna shrank back, and Edmund stepped between them, pushing Lavinia back so she stumbled and fell to the floor, screaming in anger as she did so.

"But I'm willing to give you a choice, Lavinia. As is Lord Fitzroy. He'll keep the money you gave him, of course. But you're to make it known you were mistaken over what you thought you saw in the shrubbery at the masquerade. Make it known far and wide. Let the whole ton know it was a foolish mistake, and you hold no animosity toward Johanna over what you thought you saw. Furthermore, tell the ton—and I'm sure you'll find a way—that any question of an annulment was simply wrong and that the Earl and Countess of Beaumont love one another very much," Edmund said as he put his arm around Johanna once again.

"And if I refuse?" Lavinia snarled.

Edmund smiled.

"If you refuse, I'll ruin you. We'll tell the ton you forced your maid to forge a note luring me into the garden and that you paid Lord Fitzroy for his part in the seduction, promising him a bride in exchange for him risking his reputation. You'll be a laughingstock, and so will your mother. Not to mention the difficulties your father will have when it comes to re-election," Edmund replied.

At the mention of her father and mother, Lavinia faltered. As with any scandalous gossip, it was not only the subject that was at risk, but their family, too. A rumor like this would surely put paid to her father's intent on re-election, and ruin her mother, who lived to dispense gossip, rather than be the subject of it. She, too, was just as guilty, but it seemed Edmund had been willing to spare her, if Lavinia agreed to his terms. But now, she snarled, the anger etched on her face, as she shook her head.

"I won't do it...I won't let you get away with this, Edmund—none of you. Who's going to believe a maid over a lady? And as for his testimony," she said, pointing at Lord Fitzroy, who raised his eyebrows.

"Is my testimony so unbelievable?" he asked.

"So what if I paid you? It hardly matters, does it? I'll just deny it. You're nothing but a rake. The only thing that makes you respectable is your title. Why do you think I chose you? I know what you're like, and so does everyone else!" Lavinia exclaimed.

Johanna felt suddenly worried. Had they simply unleashed Lavinia's anger, rather than resolved their problem? If she would not admit the truth, Johanna's reputation would still lie in tatters, whether an annulment came or not…

"How dare you speak about me in such a way," Lord Fitzroy exclaimed.

But now, to everyone's surprise, the sound of voices could be heard outside the summerhouse. It seemed the other guests had come looking for them, and a triumphant smile now came over Lavinia's face.

"I'll tell them now. I'll make a scene. I'll say Johanna and Lord Fitzroy were here—caught in the act—and that Edmund tried to seduce me," she exclaimed.

But as she stepped forward, Lord Fitzroy grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his embrace, his lips meeting hers as the door of the summerhouse was pulled open by none other than Lavinia's mother. Edmund still had his arm around Johanna, and as Lavinia's mother let out a cry of anguish, he pointed at the kissing couple with a look of horror on his face.

"She just seized him!" he exclaimed.

Behind Lavinia's mother were a dozen other guests, and the dowager, too—all of them witnesses to the apparent act of passion between Lord Fitzroy and Lavinia.

"Lavinia? What are you doing?" Lavinia's mother exclaimed as Lord Fitzroy now stepped back with a satisfied look on his face.

"Causing a scandal. That's what she's doing. And I hope you all saw it," he declared before giving a deep bow to Lavinia and laughing as he pushed his way through the crowd and hurried off back along the path toward the house.

Lavinia was too shocked to say anything, even as her mother questioned her again.

"Lavinia? What have you done...why did you come down here? Were you meeting him? I don't understand," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

The other guests were whispering among themselves, pointing at Lavinia and shaking their heads. She had been given a choice, but her own selfishness had brought about her ruin. Her reputation lay in tatters, but what of Lord Fitzroy?

"Why did he do that?" Johanna whispered, and Edmund smiled.

"I think he realized she deserved it. He's done us all a considerable service. The ton have something new to gossip about, and Lavinia can hardly seek to tar you with the same brush as paints her. But Lord Fitzroy knows his own reputation won't suffer for too long. It's never the same for men as it is for women," he replied.

Lavinia was still standing in utter shock at what had just occurred. She was practically speechless, and now her mother seized her by the arm and hurried her away.

"We're going home, Lavinia. You can explain yourself to me there—and to your father, too," she said, and the two of them now pushed their way through the crowd.

Edmund and Johanna stepped forward, standing in the door of the summerhouse as the crowd of guests looked on expectantly.

"I want you all to know there's to be no annulment. That was just a vicious rumor. There's no truth in it. Johanna and I are happily married—very happily," Edmund called out, and turning to Johanna, he kissed her on the cheek.

Johanna smiled, feeling once again relieved at the thought that their ordeal at Lavinia's hands was over.

"What happened?" Tabitha said, hurrying up to the pair after the dowager had called the party back to the lawn for the first course to be served—though no one was particularly interested in eating, what with so much to talk about.

"Lavinia got her comeuppance. That's what happened," Johanna replied.

"But I don't understand. Why was she kissing Lord Fitzroy? Were they having an affair? It hardly seems possible," Tabitha said, but Johanna shook her head.

"There's a lot to explain," she said, just as Roger came up to them.

"Mother and Father want to know what's going on," he said, and Johanna smiled.

"Tell them...it's all going to be all right," she replied.

It was truly what she believed—that a marriage of convenience, born out of the threat of a scandal, had turned into something wonderful. She wanted to be alone with Edmund, and as the guests filed back to the lawn, where dinner was now being served, Johanna caught his hand and held him back.

"Are you all right?" he asked, and Johanna nodded.

"More than all right. I'm so grateful to you, Edmund. For a moment...well, I didn't know what to think. I was afraid she'd gain the upper hand. She nearly did, didn't she? Oh, but it's over now, isn't it?" she said.

She wanted to hear him say so—to promise her things would now be better, and that their marriage could grow in love and intimacy as it was supposed to. And without the fear of Lavinia or anyone else seeking to ruin it. He smiled at her and nodded.

"It's over, Johanna. I promise you. No more Lavinia, no more Wilhelmina, just you and I," he said, and leaning forward he kissed her on the cheek, and Johanna felt certain he was telling the truth.