Chapter 12

It was difficult for Emily to come to grips with every emotional up and down she’d experienced since she’d risen that morning. So much had happened. She’d gone to Seaton Hall with Stratton – Callum as he’d insisted she call him – feigned a courtship, which had turned into a proposal, and ended up properly engaged.

Had she known this was how her day would proceed, she would have imagined it making her unbelievably anxious. Instead, she felt surprisingly calm. Somehow, with every word he’d spoken in favor of marriage – even when they had both been pretending – had assured her. He’d made her believe this could work.

It was most unexpected. Two weeks ago she would have denied the possibility of becoming his wife. How easily life could change in what felt like the blink of an eye.

Beaming with pleasure, she settled into her favorite chair and opened the book she’d started the previous day. A romance novel was just the thing at the moment, now that she too was falling in love.

She giggled at that thought while her heart beat with endless pleasure.

It was silly perhaps, but Callum’s proposal, and what he’d said since then, had swept her off her feet. Yes, he’d failed to reveal the state of his finances, but he’d assured her he would have done so once given the chance. And she’d believed him. He was a wonderful man who’d even gone so far as to tell her parents that he was fond of her.

A giddy sensation overcame her. She bit her lip and wondered when Callum might call upon her again. Tomorrow, she hoped. She really could not wait to see him or to try and steal another kiss. The one they’d shared in front of her grandparents had been too quick.

With a chastising shake of her head, she forced herself to focus on the text before her. It was easy to sit and daydream about her handsome husband-to-be, but that would not get her closer to writing the review she’d promised Ada.

Doing so would not be a struggle. Emily had been correct in trusting her friend. The style was fresh, the plot intriguing. She still couldn’t figure out how an inn-keepers daughter might marry an earl and hoped there would be a really good explanation for it.

She bowed her head, read a few pages, and chuckled. Sutherland possessed the most wonderful sense of humor. When he’d spoken to his friend, Mr. Dalton, just now, it almost reminded her of something Callum might say.

And now she was comparing Callum to a fictional character.

She rolled her eyes and kept reading, only to frown a few pages later when Mr. Dalton mentioned his wish to avoid Miss Emelia Parker. Emily read the next line, and the next, with increasing concern. Her heart, which had been dancing about just an hour ago, was now limping along.

The incidents Mr. Dalton had referred to were not just similar to the ones she’d experienced with Callum. They were identical. Each had been mentioned, which made it impossible for her to think it coincidental.

A stabbing sensation pierced her heart. Callum must have spoken to Ada for this to have been included in the story. He was Westcliffe’s friend, but Ada was Emily’s friend, and Emily could not imagine Ada doing something so hurtful.

Unless…

Emily stilled as she thought back on her conversation with Ada a few weeks prior. Ada had asked if she would review a book. Not once had she said it was she or Anthony who’d penned it. Emily had made that assumption entirely on her own.

She leafed back a few pages and read from there. The style was horribly familiar. She’d not been wrong when she’d imagined Sutherland’s voice belonging to Callum. His personality shone through in every aspect of the writing. There was no doubt in her mind. He’d written this.

It suddenly made sense. He’d told her he enjoyed writing, but he’d also told her he’d never been published. Emily gritted her teeth while fighting the urge to scream. Yet another thing he’d lied about.

She tossed the book aside, not caring that it landed on the floor with a thud.

Her mind raced. She had to break off the engagement. Which meant that everything she’d done to make her grandmother happy would go to waste. But how could she marry a man who’d used her as inspiration for one of the most dislikeable characters in his book?

The unhappiness she felt in the moment was crushing. Her dear grandmama was dying and just when she thought she’d found the strength to get through it, Callum revealed himself to be hateful and vindictive.

Well, she could be vindictive too.

She crossed to her desk and had just taken her seat when someone knocked on the door.

“Yes?”

Larrow entered. “The Duke of Stratton is here to see you, my lady.”

Emily gulped down a breath as the pain in her breast intensified. She would have welcomed his visit an hour ago. For a second she wondered why he’d returned so soon after his departure, only to realize she did not care.

“You may tell him I’m not at home.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Emily waited until she was once again alone before retrieving a crisp piece of foolscap from her desk drawer. She dipped her quill in the inkwell and started to write.

Seductive Scandal

A critical review.

Despite being passably enjoyable at times, it was impossible for me to finish this novel. The author has crafted a fantasy where an innkeeper’s daughter marries an earl. While this might have been an amusing tale if tackled correctly, the plot became too ridiculous and the characters too inconsistent for it to provide an enjoyable read. It is not a commendable story but rather one that may help pass the time if one is truly pressed for some entertainment.

I give it one cup filled with lukewarm tea.

Emily set her quill aside and blotted the page. Once this had been accomplished, she folded it, sealed it, and addressed it to her editor. Georgina, who often saw to such matters, would deliver it to The Mayfair Chronicle in the morning if Emily asked it of her. Which she wouldn’t. To do so would be hateful and wrong.

She stared at the sealed review for a moment. It had only made her feel marginally better while she was writing. Now that she’d finished, she just felt more wretched. Which wasn’t fair at all. This was Callum’s fault. He was the awful person who’d gone and betrayed what she’d thought they had. But it was a lie. She’d been tricked into falling for someone whose dislike of her was so extensive he’d chosen to put it in writing.

How could she have been so stupid?

Papa had been right, but she’d been too blind and too eager to think the best of Callum to see what was suddenly so very clear. He’d contacted her. He’d made sure they spent time together. He’d been the first to show hints of affection and he was the one who’d used the pretend courtship to his advantage. He’d proposed in front of her dying grandmother, leaving her with no other choice than to accept.

He’d cunningly forced her hand while making it look like he actually cared about her.

What sort of twisted person did that?

And he wasn’t done yet. Emily was certain of it. He’d dismissed her dowry, so money wasn’t his end goal. She shook her head. The only thing she couldn’t work out was his motivation. If he truly disliked her as much as his writing suggested, why shackle himself to her for the rest of his life?

Unless he was even more diabolical than she imagined.

A woman became a man’s property once they married. He could sell her off if he chose to do so, or simply humiliate her until she feared leaving the house. In short, he could make her life hell once he put a ring on her finger.

Emily trembled at the idea. The Callum she knew would not be so cruel. Then again, she had to accept that she did not know him at all. For even if his opinion of her had changed in recent weeks, he’d made no mention of the book he’d written. He had, in short, kept it a secret.

And not the good kind of secret that ended with cake, flowers, and happiness, but rather the unforgiveable kind intended to see her destroyed. Why else would he have written it? What possible motivation could he have had if not to immortalize her as an unkind shrew who didn’t deserve to be loved?

She heaved a big breath and nearly choked on the air when she tried to expel it. Oh, how she loathed him. He’d used an innocent boy to lure her, for heaven’s sake. It was beyond sinister.

The sound of the front door opening and closing caught her attention a good hour later.

Emily stood and went to greet her parents. She met them in the foyer.

“I think I’ve made a terrible error in judgement.”

Mama and Papa shared a look before ushering her toward the parlor with Mama quickly assuring Larrow that they would be ready for supper soon.

“What’s happened?” Papa asked as soon as he’d shut the door. “Has this got something to do with Stratton?”

She nodded. “I cannot marry him.”

“But…” Mama shook her head as she lowered herself to the sofa. “Word of your engagement is already spreading.”

“How is that possible?” Emily couldn’t imagine her mother was right. She and Papa had gone straight to Seaton Hall and back. Whom would they have spoken to?

“Since you and Stratton were in agreement, we saw no reason to whisper about it while we were at Seaton Hall.” Papa, who wore a severe expression, clasped his hands behind his back. “Your grandmama was extremely pleased on your behalf, by the way. Despite her weakened state, she wouldn’t stop talking about your impending nuptials. Servants will have heard. Your aunts, uncles, and cousins too.”

Emily lowered herself very slowly to one of the armchairs. “They were all there?”

“They arrived this afternoon, in response to the letter I sent them.”

“Of course they did.” Emily sighed.

“We’ve assured them you would invite them to your wedding,” Mama murmured.

Emily glanced at her mother and nodded. “Right.”

Her entire body felt numb, her brain too.

It was too late. She was stuck. If her aunts knew, the whole world would soon be informed. Ending such an engagement would lead to scandal – a scandal that would affect her and her family, most notably her younger cousins.

“Will you tell us what has prompted this change of mind?” Papa asked. “You looked quite smitten with Stratton this afternoon. What’s changed?”

“As it turns out, he’s not who I thought him to be.”

Papa held her gaze. “I’ll assume that you’re not referring to him being a duke without a fortune.”

“He’s written a book,” Emily said while doing her best to keep her composure when all she wanted to do was cry. “I recognized one of the characters in it as me, and I was not depicted in a favorable light.”

Papa straightened. “He insulted you?”

“Indirectly, yes.”

“That bloody, good-for-nothing, scoundrel,” Papa seethed. “I ought to call him out for this. That would certainly solve your problem. You cannot marry him if he’s dead.”

“Good heavens.” Mama sent Papa a chastising glance. “Must you be so macabre?”

“When the situation calls for it,” Papa grumbled. “Besides, you can’t deny that I do have a point.”

Mama puffed a breath and turned to Emily. “Has this book been published?”

“Not yet. It’s set for release on Monday.”

“So then he must have written it long before the two of you started your courtship. Am I right?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that he wrote it or that he chose not to tell me about it.” Emily fidgeted with her skirt. “Why would he keep something so important from me unless he meant for the publication to come as a blow?”

“I know a man who can help us get to the bottom of this,” Papa said. “Just give me the word and he’ll pay Stratton a visit.”

“I hope you’re joking,” Mama said while sending Papa a horrified look. He scowled and removed himself to the sideboard where he proceeded to pour himself a large drink. Mama gave her attention back to Emily. “Listen to me, dearest. A marriage is first and foremost built on trust and open communication. You cannot let yourself be influenced by suspicion and doubt. It’s poisonous, Emily, and only serves to ruin what might be worth saving.”

Emily crossed her arms. “He broke whatever trust we had by failing to communicate with me, Mama.”

“I’m inclined to agree,” Papa said before taking a sip of his drink.

Mama shook her head and sighed in frustration. “You’re not being helpful, Lawrence. Must I remind you that you once thought the worst of me?”

Interest heightened Emily’s alertness. Leaning forward, she met Mama’s gaze. “How do you mean?”

Mama knit her brow and waved a dismissive hand. “He thought I was having an affair with one of his friends.”

“What?” Emily turned to Papa. “When?”

“It was years ago,” Papa admitted. “Shortly after we’d married. Turned out to be nothing more than my overactive imagination playing tricks on me.”

“The point is, we talked,” Mama said, “and by doing so we worked it all out. Your father realized I wasn’t guilty and I forgave him.”

“I’m not the only one guilty of making mistakes,” Papa grumbled.

“Of course not,” Mama agreed. “I’ve made plenty of my own. All I’m trying to say is that marriage, like any relationship, takes work. Deciding Stratton’s at fault without letting him come to his own defense is unfair and unproductive. Unless there’s something else at play and this is the excuse you needed in order to end things.”

Emily flopped back against her seat. “He pretended to care about me, Mama.”

“And who’s to say he doesn’t?” Mama raised her eyebrows. “People change their opinion all the time, but in order to do so, their experience needs to change too. It’s possible spending additional time with you proved to Stratton that you’re not the person he thought you to be. Based on the sincerity I heard in his voice earlier today, I’m inclined to believe that he truly fell for you, Emily. And if he deliberately kept what he’d written from you, then I believe this to be the real reason.”

“Are you suggesting he lied out of love?”

Mama chuckled and sent Papa and knowing glance.

Papa held her gaze for a moment before eventually sighing. He turned to Emily. “How would you have reacted if you were in his position?”

Emily considered the question with care. During her six-year acquaintance with Callum, he’d vexed her to no end. She’d cursed him multiple times and had placed all blame for their calamitous run-ins with each other upon his shoulders.

However…

“I never would have written an ill word about him in the first place.”

“But let’s suppose you did. What would you do when you realized you were falling for someone you’d villainized? How would you feel?”

“I suppose I’d be embarrassed, possibly ashamed.”

“And?” Mama pressed.

“Worried. I think I’d be terribly worried about them finding out since the last thing I’d want to do is hurt them.” Emily straightened and stared at her parents. “But what if you’re wrong? What if Stratton deliberately strove to hurt me?”

“Talk to him,” Mama said. “It’s the only way for you to get to the heart of the matter and find out the truth.”

“And if he did indeed try to hurt you on purpose,” Papa said, “I’ll skewer him myself.”

“Good Lord,” Mama murmured while rolling her eyes.

Emily smiled for the first time that evening. Her parents had calmed her with their advice. They were right. Speaking to Callum and asking him to explain was the most reasonable option. And somewhere deep inside, beyond the hurt he’d caused her, she prayed he’d convince her they could be happy together. That, beyond all else, was what she longed for most of all.