Chapter Twelve

December 21, 1818

For the past hour, Samantha had been going about the shops the Countess of Hazelton, or rather Annabelle as that woman had instructed her to call her.

It seemed the countess heartily enjoyed shopping, for she’d bought a small gift for many people in her life, as the poor footman could attest. The young man followed them from shop to shop and toted her bags and boxes with nary a complaint. Probably because he was halfway infatuated with the young lady, but Samantha kept her own counsel on that.

To be fair, Annabelle was a lovely woman with pretty eyes and light brown hair and rather on the short side. She possessed a confidence that Samantha envied and kept up a steady stream of conversation that meant neither of them were bored.

For her part, Samantha didn’t have as much funding as the countess, so she was choosier about what she purchased. After procuring a pair of knitted wool socks for her father, she was now contemplating a simple silver chain for Cornelius’ pocket watch, which she had only spied once.

“Oh, that’s a fine chain. Who did you have in mind for it?” Annabelle asked with bright eyes and an easy grin curving her lips.

“Uh…” Heat went through her cheeks. “For your brother, actually. Every man can appreciate a new watch chain. I hope.”

“Of course they do!” Annabelle linked her arm with Samantha’s as they moved about the crowded shop. “I’ll admit, when I found out that my brother was engaged, it took me quite by surprise.”

“Why is that? Doesn’t he wish to marry?”

“He did at one time, but then a woman broke his heart four years ago, and he hasn’t been the same since.”

“Oh!” Her eyebrows rose. “He hasn’t mentioned anything about it to me and has certainly never told me the story.” It would certainly make sense, then, of why he didn’t care for the holiday or hadn’t married already.

“Well, Cornelius has always kept to himself out of pride, you see.” The countess drew her over to a quiet corner where there weren’t many people. “Might I ask you a question, Samantha?”

“Of course.”

“Do you care for my brother? I’m merely asking because he had his heart broken all those years ago, and I ached for him at that time. But if you don’t care for him at all, why are you keeping him trapped in this engagement?” Though her tone of voice was genteel and pleasant enough, there was a hardness to her eyes that brooked no argument.

Samantha’s chest tightened. So it had come to this and she needed to face the truth of the matter. “To tell you the truth, I’m not certain what the relationship is.”

“How so? Aren’t you engaged?”

“Yes, we are, of course.” Barely, and he had bedded her, so that must mean their relationship was a tad more than a sham… She shook her head. “I think he only asked me so my father wouldn’t be disappointed. You see, Papa is facing some health challenges, and at the time, Cornelius clearly felt pity for me.” Then she frowned. Why was this suddenly so complicated? “But within the past few days, I can’t help but wonder if our engagement hasn’t changed into some odd, honor thing.”

“What does that mean?” The countess seemed as confused as Samantha was.

“It’s difficult to know for certain. Your brother is exactly forthcoming about… anything.” She was quiet for a few seconds as she thought over her next words. “He has some misplaced desire to protect me from some vague threat currently raging against the men in his club. As well as their families.” Though, truth to tell, if a man was going to protect a woman in his life, that was a decent enough excuse. “It’s darling, I suppose, but not needed.”

“We don’t know that, but my brother is quite honorable.”

“You are aware of the threat?”

“Oh, yes.” The young countess nodded. “My husband is a member and the threat is true.” She glanced about the immediate area before continuing. “Lady Stover has grown quite bold over the past several months. For whatever reason, she despises the members of the Rogue’s Arcade and wishes to bring them all to harm or even death.”

Samantha gasped. “Why hasn’t she been arrested for this?”

“She no doubt has many high-ranking people on her side, for her aim is to accumulate wealth and power. For what, no one is certain.” Annabelle frowned. “It’s quite disconcerting and a bit frightening. Especially since I’m…”

“Yes?” Though she knew, Samantha wanted to hear it from the other lady.

A fierce blush raged in the countess’ cheeks. “I’m enceinte .”

A smile came automatically to Samantha’s face. “I’m happy for you, Annabelle. Your mother must be over the moon.”

“It is difficult to tell with her.” A bit of nervous laughter escaped her as the crowds in the shop ebbed and flowed. “She has been quite vocal in telling me that I should start my nursery, especially since she’s moved in with Hugh and me.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about it. Once the babe comes along, she will be a changed woman.” At least Samantha hoped so.

“Thank you.” Annabelle nodded but there was a flush of pleasure in her cheeks. “When I told Cornelius, he had the better reaction.”

“He has a good heart, and he adores you, I think.” Samantha frowned into the contents of her basket. “Yet you told me, and you hardly know me. Thank you for that.”

“I know enough.” When Annabelle smiled, her eyes twinkled. “For whatever reason, you have given my brother a bit of light, a bit of his dignity back where it was missing. When he came home from the war and the government turned its back on him, it took a heavy amount of hope from him even if he didn’t show it much.” She shrugged. “I’ve seen him grin more since you came into his life than in the whole of this past year. Or rather four years, if I’m honest. That must mean something.”

“What, though?” Truly, she was at sixes and sevens regarding the whole thing. “I rather doubt this engagement will last.” Would the other woman notice the slip or her insecurities surrounding the sham? “Once the threat to the rogues ends, so will this relationship.”

Annabelle snorted. “I wouldn’t be so certain about that. Cornelius has the ability to surprise you.”

“Mmm.” Did that mean he wanted the engagement to become real? Did she? It was something she hadn’t thought about until this very moment. A warmth started in her stomach and spread through her chest. “I don’t know.”

“Well, don’t think about it overly much. The two of you will find your path.” Some of the joy faded from Annabelle’s eyes as apprehension sneaked in. “I can tell you this, though. I’m worried about many things in this moment of life. What if Lady Stover succeeds in her mission in devastating the Rogue’s Arcade? What if something goes wrong with this pregnancy? What if my brother’s demons grow stronger?”

Oh, dear.

“Please don’t worry yourself, Annabelle.” Samantha grasped the countess’ free hand and squeezed the fingers. “All of that is to be expected, and it’s natural to feel such. But I want you to know, I’ll be with you for support if you should need it. No matter what.” Her voice broke, for her engagement was naught but a fiction. “I promise,” she said in a soft voice. Once it ended, could she still retain Annabelle as a friend? Would Cornelius let that happen?

Beyond that, she didn’t wish to go through a period of grief again as she had when her life had changed forever.

December 2, 1814

No. 6 Birch Place

Portman Square

Marylebone, Mayfair

London

The moment she came into the house, she could feel that something was wrong. There was a pall in the air, a sadness, but she didn’t quite know why.

“Papa?” It had been a busy year, and she was nearly dead on her feet after helping with the orphanage all day. Then she frowned when two strange men emerged from the back parlor and her father trailed behind with a stricken expression. “Papa, what happened?”

Both of the other men glanced at her with looks of pity before continuing along the corridor and then out of the house.

Apprehension balled in her belly as she reached her father’s side. “What is amiss?”

“Come, poppet. There has been news.” He drew her into the parlor and then urged her to sit on the low sofa. “One of those men is a constable; the other is a representative of a freight moving company.”

“Why were they here?” She couldn’t understand what he was trying to tell her.

He sighed and moisture rose into his eyes. “One of his carts, heavily laden with heavy crates and other goods collided with the carriage your mother and sister were traveling in.” His voice broke. “They had gone out for some shopping and…”

Icy fear played her spine. “What happened?”

“There was a horrific accident. They were both killed, instantly from what the constable told me.” He shook his head, but there was incredulity in this gaze. “The constable said their bodies were managed; there was much blood at the scene and the carriage nearly destroyed. The owner of the freight company said he would accept all charges, pay for the burials…”

As she stared at her father with dawning horror, his words faded away. A wall of panic and grief welled and crashed over her again and again until she was numb from the information. “Mama and Sarah are dead?”

“Yes. I was taken to the scene, saw for myself before their bodies were taken away. It was quite a ghastly sight.”

“I didn’t have a chance to tell them goodbye.” Never would she be able to talk to her mother or have her gentle presence in her life. “Sarah and I sniped and each other this morning over something silly and dumb. She must have hated me…” Then she dissolved into tears and was inconsolable from that moment.

“I’m so sorry, my girl.” Her father took her into his arms and held her as they cried together.

How could anything ever be the same again?

Present day

“Samantha? Are you quite well?”

The feel of Annabelle’s hand on her arm and the concern in her voice yanked her back into the present. “Yes.” She nodded and gave the other woman what she hoped was a disarming smile. “Just remembering a time in my life that was filled with grief.”

“I’m sorry. I know how that feels.” She led the way to the front of the shop where they both paid for their items.

Once outside, they paused in front of the shop to wait for the carriage while a few snowflakes drifted down.

“May I tell you a secret?” she asked of the countess.

“Of course.”

Perhaps the other woman reminded her of her own sister in some way, or perhaps she was missing her sister more because of the time of year, but she didn’t want their conversation to end. “The reason for the engagement, outside of making my father happy, was because your brother thought me a thief.” Briefly, she explained about the missing bracelet that belonged to his aunt.

“Oh, dearest.” Annabelle rested a hand on her arm. “I don’t believe Cornelius fully thinks you stole that bracelet. Knowing him, it was merely an excuse to be in your company.”

“Ha!” Samantha snorted. “I am not so certain.” Though their time together yesterday was beyond pleasant. Comfortable even, and she desperately wanted to experience that again. “Perhaps he is only a man, after all, and I am deluding myself.”

The countess’ eyes were kind. “Please don’t give up on my brother. He needs someone, after everything he is battling, someone to be there for him and keep him grounded, and if he has difficulties sharing or showing emotion, just be patient.”

“I promise I won’t give up.” After all, this was the season of miracles, wasn’t it? “Already, I want to help him. I know I can’t take away his demons, but I’ve promised to sit with him in the dark times if he wants me to.”

Annabelle nodded. “Do you have any feelings for him at all?” The hope in her eyes tightened Samantha’s chest. “Sometimes we don’t realize that what we’re feeling for someone might be love in disguise once we’re done denying it, of course.”

“Oh, it’s definitely not love.” Heat slapped at her cheeks. “Cornelius is lovely, of course, but there are complications.” Though they’d spent the last handful of days in each other’s company, and oddly, he was making her braver, encouraging her to see the world differently, none of those things equated to a lifetime or a foundation for a relationship.

“Together, though, you can confront anything. That is what happened with Hugh and me.”

Just as the carriage pulled to a halt at the street in front of the shop, a man rushed over to them on the pavement.

“Miss Marchington, I need a word, please.”

Samantha frowned then gasped as she recognized him. “Mr. Arbuthnot? Truly, there is nothing I wish to discuss with you.” Then she understood what Cornelius meant when he said she was under his protection. “I am engaged now. To Lord Timelbury, so please leave me alone.”

“Your engagement is exactly what I wish to discuss.” There was a particular mania about the man’s face. His green eyes beneath the brim of his top hat were a bit wild. “I am the one you should be engaged to. In fact, you would be better off with me instead of that broken, dull nodcock whose mind is fractured.”

“Lord Timelbury is not broken.” And she would defend him against such a slur until her dying day. “He is everything lovely and honorable, and he is beyond respectful.” Except the time he accused her of stealing that bracelet. Heat anger rose in her chest. “I would appreciate it if you would stop maligning him.”

Annabelle stood off to the side, watching the scene with rounded eyes.

“Your father gave me permission to court you, and I don’t take someone else swooping in and stealing what is mine lightly.”

“I am not property, Mr. Arbuthnot.” She stopped short of stamping her foot as she would have done as a young woman. “And even if I weren’t engaged, you are not my ideal of a potential husband simply due to the company you keep.”

“You don’t understand.” He dared to come close to her, dared even more to put a hand on her shoulder. “The men of the Rogue’s Arcade are a scourge in London. They are not good men.” His eyes were even more wild. “Soon something big will catch them all, and I don’t want you anywhere near that event. Choose me.”

“No.” Annoyance rose in her chest. If this man thought to have her betray Cornelius, that must mean these people were desperately afraid of the Rogue’s Arcade. “Back away, if you please, and know this. Lord Timelbury is worth twelve of you, and I don’t appreciate being intimidated in public.” When it appeared he wouldn’t leave her alone, she resorted to beating him with her reticule.

Finally, he backed away with an angry flush on his face. “Clearly, you have made your decision and your future is forfeit.” Then he ran off, easily blending with the gathering crowd.

“Good heavens.” Quickly, she ushered Annabelle into the carriage as best she could with her limp.

When they both sagged onto separate benches, the countess glanced at her. “So you said you don’t care about my brother, hmm?” She said with a wink and amusement in her eyes.

Her lips twitched with a grin. “Do shut up, Annabelle.”

Though they both dissolved into laughter, it couldn’t relieve the worry knotting in her belly from the not-so-veiled threat from her would-be beau. More than ever, she wanted to burrow into Cornelius’ strong arms and hope that he could bring her calm.