Chapter Six

M ayfair, the epitome of London Society, exuded an air of opulence and elegance. Lottie found herself seated in a lavishly decorated drawing room at Rainville and Nora’s townhouse on Upper Brook Street the next day. Her gaze wandered around the room, taking in the intricate details of the wallpaper, the polished wooden furniture, and the vibrant hues of the oil paintings adorning the walls.

She couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease, her mind plagued by thoughts of her unexpected collaboration with Thatcher Goodrich. How could she work with a man who had so callously stolen her play? Lottie’s usually confident disposition had been shaken.

Rainville reclined in an armchair across from her, his piercing gold eyes studying her intently. Dressed impeccably in a tailored black coat and cravat, he exuded an air of authority that Lottie couldn’t help but respect, even though she spent much of her time arguing with him.

“Lady Lottie,” he began, “I understand your reservations about working with Mr. Goodrich. However, I must impress upon you the gravity of this opportunity. You would be the first female playwright to write directly for a king, a chance to prove that your talents are superior to Goodrich’s.”

“But why should I collaborate with a man who has shown such disregard for my work? He’s taken credit for my play, and now I’m expected to work alongside him?”

Rainville leaned forward, his expression earnest. “Because, my dear, we must remember that the ultimate goal is to create a masterpiece that will impress King William. If we succeed, your name will be forever etched in history, and you will have achieved something truly remarkable. Isn’t that what you’ve wanted?”

Lottie hesitated. The idea of being a trailblazer appealed to her, but the bitterness of Thatcher’s betrayal still lingered. “I fear that our styles and creative visions are too dissimilar.”

Rainville offered a reassuring smile. “Differences can lead to innovation. You both have unique strengths, and if you can find common ground, your collaboration could result in something truly remarkable.”

Nora gracefully entered the room, her emerald-green evening gown accentuating her elegantly curved figure. She joined the conversation. “I must confess, Lottie, I share your worries. This partnership may bring unwanted attention, especially from the Revivalists. Those monsters take offense to extraordinary women.”

Lottie furrowed her brow, remembering the recent tales of the Revivalists—noblemen who harbored dangerous and radical beliefs about the natural order of society, often enforced through violence. Her two sisters had barely escaped their clutches. “But Nora, should I let fear dictate my choices as a writer?”

Rainville chimed in, his tone soothing. “We’re not asking you to compromise your principles, Lottie. We’re merely suggesting that you consider the consequences of your actions. Your work has the power to influence hearts and minds, and that can be a double-edged sword in a society as divided as ours.”

Lottie’s thoughts were in turmoil. She was torn between her desire to make a mark as a playwright and her concern for the potential dangers lurking in the shadows. Rainville’s words held weight, and Nora’s apprehension was not unfounded. The Revivalists had left their mark on the Castlebury family.

As she contemplated her decision, she couldn’t help but wonder if her idol, London stage actress Dorothea Jordan, had faced similar dilemmas during her time onstage. Lottie was well aware of the courage it took for a woman to step into the limelight, and she couldn’t ignore the opportunity that lay before her.

Rainville’s gaze remained fixed on her, his conviction unwavering. “Consider the legacy of Dorothea Jordan, Lottie,” he said like he had read her mind. “She was not just an actress but a woman who defied societal norms. She captivated the heart of a king and left her mark on history. You have the potential to do the same.”

The weight of the decision bore down on her shoulders. She had always admired Dorothea Jordan’s courage, but could she muster the same resolve?

Rainville continued, “The world is changing, and women like you, and Carenza, and Nora, are at the forefront of that change. Your words have the power to challenge and inspire. If you decide to work with Mr. Goodrich, you will be taking a step toward a brighter future for all women.”

Nora added, “But if you do, there’s no telling what the consequences might be. The Revivalists are becoming increasingly bold. I worry for your safety.” After what she’d gone through at their horrid hands, Lottie blamed her sister not at all for her fears.

Her heart constricted with the weight of responsibility. She had always felt a burning desire to be recognized for her talents, to break free from the constraints of societal expectations. Now, that opportunity lay before her, but it came with its own set of challenges and dangers.

Rainville stood and approached her, his gold-gazed expression kind but determined. “Think on it, sister. We will support whatever decision you make. But remember that sometimes, the greatest achievements require the bravest choices.”

As she watched her sister and brother-in-law, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of their expectations and her own ambitions pressing down on her. It was a choice that would shape her destiny and perhaps even the destiny of women who aspired to defy convention. How could she say no?

Lottie’s resolve began to strengthen. She recalled the countless hours she had spent alone in her room, pouring her thoughts and creativity into her plays. She couldn’t deny that her desire to be recognized as a playwright burned brighter than ever.

Nora’s words about the Revivalists did give her pause. She knew the dangerous group and the havoc they wreaked on those who challenged their beliefs. It was a chilling thought to become a potential target. But could she let that small chance stop her? Rainville’s mention of Dorothea Jordan resonated with her deeply. The actress had been a beacon of courage in a world that often stifled women’s voices. Lottie couldn’t help but be inspired by her story, a woman who had blazed a trail for others to follow.

Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke, her voice steady and determined. “You’re right, Rainville. This is a chance to make a difference, not just for me but for women like me who dream of a different future. I’ll do it.”

A warm smile spread across the duke’s handsome face, and he reached over and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “That’s the spirit, Lottie. I knew you’d make the right choice.”

Nora’s concern softened into a supportive expression. “You have this under control, sister. Goodrich is temperamental, but a true talent. You can do this.”

Lottie nodded. It was a daunting path she had chosen, but it was also a path of potential and change. She would work with Thatcher Goodrich, even if it meant dealing with the infuriating man, and together, they would create a play that would make history. She couldn’t deny the thrill of possibility that coursed through her veins at the prospect of challenging societal norms and blazing a trail for women like her.

“Well, now that that’s settled, let’s head above stairs to assess the state of the new nursery, shall we?”

Lottie’s mind kept swirling, but as Nora mentioned the nursery, her thoughts skidded to a halt. Nursery ? Surely she hadn’t heard that correctly. Her sister couldn’t possibly be…

“Wait, Nora, are you…expecting?” Lottie’s voice was filled with disbelief as she searched her sister’s face for confirmation.

Nora chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Heavens no. Not yet, anyway,” she replied with a teasing glint in her eye. “But Rainville and I have been discussing the possibility of starting a family soon. We thought it best to prepare in advance. There’s been a lot of practice.”

A rush of warmth flooded Lottie’s chest as she realized the implications of Nora’s words. Her sister, whom she had watched grow from a carefree, fiery young woman into a devoted wife and soon-to-be mother, was embarking on a new chapter of her life, one filled with the joys and challenges of parenthood. “Oh, I see,” she said, a smile playing at her lips. “Well, that’s certainly… lovely. I’m sure the nursery will be absolutely charming when it’s finished.”

Nora beamed, her eyes brimming with excitement. “I’m glad you think so, Lottie. It’s all quite thrilling, isn’t it? The thought of a little one running about the house.”

Lottie nodded, her heart swelling with affection for her sister and her new future. “Indeed, it is,” she agreed as they ascended the stairs. “And whenever the time comes, I’ll be right here to help you every step of the way.”

As they stepped into the nursery, Lottie marveled at the transformation the room would undergo in the coming months. Soft sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting a warm glow over the mostly empty space. It was a room filled with the promise of new beginnings, a blank canvas waiting to be painted with the colors of love and laughter. But as she turned to share in the moment with Nora, she noticed a mischievous twinkle in her sister’s eye, a hint of excitement dancing beneath the surface. Lottie raised an eyebrow in question, curiosity piqued by her sister’s sudden change in demeanor.

Nora let out a soft chuckle, her hand fluttering to her chest in mock innocence. “Oh, let’s be honest,” she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Inspecting the nursery was really just an excuse to escape Rainville’s exceptional hearing for a moment, wasn’t it?”

Lottie couldn’t help but laugh at her sister’s candor. “Perhaps,” she admitted with a playful grin. “But what’s on your mind? You seem positively bursting with excitement.”

Nora’s eyes danced with trouble as she leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “You simply must tell me everything about Mr. Goodrich,” she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a rush. “He’s so brooding and attractive and mysterious, isn’t he? I wonder what secrets lie hidden beneath that enigmatic exterior of his.”

Lottie couldn’t suppress a chuckle at her sister’s eagerness. “Oh, you do have a penchant for drama, don’t you?” she teased, shaking her head. “Loath as I am, and as much as I dislike him, I must admit that there is something intriguing about Mr. Goodrich. A certain air of mystery that sets him apart from the others.”

Nora’s eyes widened with anticipation. “I must know everything,”

And as they settled into two chairs taking up a corner of the nursery, away from prying ears and watchful eyes, Lottie found herself succumbing to her sister’s infectious enthusiasm. She leaned in close to Nora, as if afraid that even the walls might betray their secrets. “Well, if you must know, Mr. Goodrich is…vexing,” she confessed, her tone laced with frustration. “He’s always so inscrutable, with that brooding demeanor of his that’s enough to drive anyone to distraction. Also, he’s arrogant. Demanding.”

“Go on,” Nora urged, leaning in closer as if afraid to miss a single detail. “Tell me more.”

“His voice is like velvet over sand,” Lottie continued. “Smooth and alluring, yet somehow grating at the same time. And don’t even get me started on his eyes—they’re like the fog that sometimes rolls in on the Thames, all smoky and moody.”

As she spoke, Lottie caught herself sighing, her breath catching in her throat at the memory of Thatcher’s piercing gaze. She chastised herself for allowing her thoughts to wander in such a direction.

Nora watched her reaction with a knowing smile. “Sounds positively dreadful, Lottie,” she teased. “And yet I can’t help but sense a hint of…admiration in your words.”

Lottie’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment at Nora’s astute observation. “Nonsense,” she protested, though her heart hammered in her chest at the thought of Thatcher’s enigmatic allure. Her words tumbled out in a rush, her frustration palpable in every syllable. Because as handsome as he may be, it still rang true. “He’s awful, Nora. A liar with no morals, like a hedonistic man of the world,” she declared vehemently. Perhaps too vehemently? “And I can assure you, that holds no appeal to me whatsoever. No matter how mysterious or handsome he may be.”

Nora regarded her with a knowing look. It was clear that she could see the conflict raging within Lottie. “I understand your reservations,” she began gently. “But sometimes, the most intriguing individuals are those who defy our expectations, who challenge us to see beyond the surface to the depths beneath.”

“You don’t understand,” Lottie insisted. “He’s not someone I could ever—”

But before she could finish her sentence, Nora reached out and placed a comforting hand on her arm. “Darling, I’m not asking you to fall in love with Mr. Goodrich,” she said softly. “But perhaps there’s more to him than meets the eye. Perhaps, in working together, you’ll discover a side of him you never knew existed.”

Lottie knew Nora meant well, but the thought of delving deeper into Thatcher Goodrich’s mysterious world filled her with a sense of unease. “Perhaps,” she conceded reluctantly. “But I make no promises, Nora. My opinion of him remains unchanged.”

Nora nodded. “Of course. You needn’t do anything you’re not comfortable with,” she reassured her sister. “Just remember, sometimes the greatest discoveries are made when we least expect them.”

They turned their attention back to the nursery, the room filled with the soft glow of sunlight and the promise of new beginnings, and Lottie wondered what secrets lay hidden within the heart of Thatcher, and whether she was truly prepared to uncover them.

“For instance,” her sister started casually, “there’s the discovery of how incredibly tempting he is.”

Lottie’s cheeks flushed. “Nora, please,” she scoffed, though there was a hint of sheepishness in her voice. “His…attractiveness has nothing to do with it.”

“Come now. You can’t deny that his good looks and charm do make the burden of working with him a little less difficult to bear, can you?”

Lottie’s jaw tightened as she struggled to find a suitable retort. But deep down, she knew that Nora was right. As much as she hated to admit it, there was a certain something to Thatcher that she couldn’t quite shake. “I-I suppose. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s…he’s…” Her words faltered as her thoughts drifted once more to Thatcher’s dark good looks and the enigmatic aura that surrounded him like a shroud. She couldn’t deny the way her heart raced at the mere thought of him.

And as she caught herself sighing again, her consternation only deepened. How could she allow herself to be so affected by a man she despised?

Nora watched her internal struggle. “Oh, Lottie,” she murmured. “Love is a strange and unpredictable thing, isn’t it?”

Lottie snapped her spine straight. “Who said anything about love?” she blurted. “I’ve been talking about writing.”

“Of course—my mistake,” Nora replied breezily, a small smile still upon her lips.

“Indeed,” Lottie replied, suddenly prickly and hot inside. Pushing from the chair, she made for the doorway. “Now, I must be on my way.”

“I’ll see you out.” Her sister rose from her chair and followed.

As Lottie left Rainville and Nora’s townhouse, she couldn’t help but feel conflicted. She had taken the first step toward a future that held both promise and danger, working with Goodrich on this play while the Revivalists were still loose, but she was determined to see it through.