Part 14 (1/2)
Caroline scooted over on the dressing table bench. ”Lizzie, sit for a minute. I have a proposition for you, but I expect you to say no. I'm counting on it, for your sake.”
Lizzie lifted a fair eyebrow but did as she was asked.
”Edward is going to buy me a house in the country. Something very small and out-of-the-way. I really will not require the services of a lady's maid, but I could do with a friend. However, I believe my friend is about to become betrothed to another friend of mine. Am I correct?”
”He hasn't asked me yet. But I think he will.” Lizzie twisted her fingers. ”He hasn't seen my back, Caroline. I haven't let him do anything more than kiss me-and a few touches.” She seemed embarra.s.sed by the admission, showing a charming uncertainty for a young woman who had first sold her body at the age of fourteen. Lizzie walked to the window and stepped onto the little terrace. Caroline followed and laid a hand on her shoulder.
”Trust me. It will not matter to him. He will only love you more for your suffering.”
”I don't want to be pitied!”
Caroline smiled. ”I doubt what Garrett Marburn feels for you is pity, Lizzie. You're a beautiful woman. Smart.”
”I was a wh.o.r.e,” Lizzie whispered. Her eyes were bright with tears.
”And now you're not. We all make mistakes. It's important we don't let the mistakes make us.” Caroline knew she should take her own advice. Her youthful folly with Andrew and her unhappy marriage did not need to chart her course for the rest of her life. ”I'm going to start fresh, and you will, too. If you want, I'll speak to that slowtop. Why he hasn't offered for you yet is an absolute disgrace. Men are idiots.”
”No, don't. I'll bring him 'round-when it's time. But what about you? Mrs. Hazlett says Lord Christie is going through with a legal separation.”
”Yes. It's time now, don't you think? And I won't be on Jane Street at his mercy once a year. It's done. If I give him reason, perhaps eventually we will divorce.”
Lizzie looked at her. ”That means you'll have to have an affair. A real one this time.”
”Would that be so impossible to imagine? I haven't lost all my looks, have I?” Caroline fluffed up her hair. Lizzie brushed it back down automatically.
”Of course you haven't. I just don't-never mind. It's not my place.”
”Lizzie, you can be frank. We're more than just mistress and servant.”
”I know, Caroline. I owe you everything.”
”Let's not get carried away.”
”I think you and Lord Christie belong together, whatever your differences.”
Caroline shook her head. ”I admit there's something between us, but not enough to build a marriage on. One must get out of bed eventually,” she said wryly.
”What if you sat down with him and hashed everything out? Ask him what he wants of you?”
”One doesn't ask a Christie questions. One only gives the proper answers.”
”I think it's worth a try.”
”I appreciate your advice, Lizzie, but it's far too late. No, my plan is best. I'll leave here and start over. Stop writing. Be respectable. But don't tell Garrett yet. I expect he'll have a fit.”
”He'll miss you.”
”He'll miss the income I generate.” Caroline laughed. ”But the books haven't come easily to me lately. Better to stop while I'm ahead. I wouldn't want to repeat myself and kill off Edward the same way twice.”
Caroline looked around the narrow hallway. It was far too crowded, but now that the hall table had been removed, there was room for the Hazletts, Lizzie and Marburn, and young Ben. Yesterday the removal men had packed up some of her things to carry into the wilds of Dorset. The rest she had bequeathed to the friends before her, the Janes, or the Jane Street house itself. The next courtesan would need a bed and a few sofas to recline on. A pity Caroline had wasted so much of her money on redecoration, but it was not the first mistake she had made.
She hadn't even seen the cottage she was to live in, hadn't even seen the man who had purchased it for her since the ill-fated night in her garden. It had taken a few weeks for Edward to make the arrangements. Her new life had been arranged solely by letter, which had suited her perfectly. She did not need to crick her neck gazing up at Edward's emerald eyes and listen to his dark velvet voice.
Gracious. She was thinking like a writer-jewel-toned eyes were such a cliche-which she was determined not to be ever again. She had penned her very last Courtesan Court book in a frenzy of packing. She hoped her public wouldn't be too disappointed. Her heroine, Ca.s.sandra, a notorious opera star, had decided to forego her lover Roderigo for a life in the country. She would sing in the local church choir only and give free music lessons to poor children. The ending was so abrupt Garrett had said she'd opened herself up for a sequel, but Caroline thought not.
She wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do next. She couldn't carry a tune herself. But Edward had written there was a large garden, so she could prune and plant and weed until she decided.
”Harold is safe in the carriage?”
”I put him in there myself. He wasn't happy to be stuck in that cage.” Lizzie's chin quivered. ”You'll come back for the wedding if we marry?”
”We'll marry, all right,” Garrett growled. He had proposed, but Lizzie was yet to be fully convinced she was worthy of him. She was being particularly missish about becoming Mrs. Marburn. Caroline had already advised Garrett to kidnap her just like Lord Farringdon did to Felicia in Lord Farringdon's Fickle Fiancee and carry her off to Scotland, bound and gagged if necessary. Felicia had been very good with her fists, and not bright enough until the last chapter to realize that Lord Farrington was her one true love.
”Of course. You know Garrett's right. You won't get a better offer.” Caroline suspected the next time she heard from them, the deed would be done and there would be no need for her to stand as matron of honor.
”d.a.m.n right.”
”And you, Garrett Marburn, won't get a better wife. Be good to each other.” She embraced them both.
”We shall miss you, Lady Christie.” Mrs. Hazlett wiped a tear with the corner of her ap.r.o.n. Mr. Hazlett's eyes were suspiciously damp as well.
”I hope you both enjoy your retirement. I'll never forget how kind you were to me these last five years.”
Ben shuffled behind the little crowd and stepped forward. ”I thank you fer invitin' me, but Lunnon's me home. I don't hold with the country and cows.”
Caroline chuckled. ”I haven't any cows yet as far as I know, Ben, just my cat. But you behave for the Hazletts. They have need of a big, strong boy like you. And don't neglect your studies.”
Ben rolled his eyes but said nothing else. Ben was perhaps not Caroline's most successful project, but he was the Hazletts' problem now.
Mrs. Hazlett handed her a hamper that had been at her feet. ”Don't forget to eat your lunch and drink every drop of wine I packed for you. I know you don't hold much with spirits, but it will help to settle you bouncing around on the road. You don't want to be stopping at dirty posting houses for bad food. There's a flask of tea, too. Drink it all. It's just the way you like it-plenty of sugar.”
It was the third or fourth time Caroline had been admonished to eat and drink the contents of the wicker basket. As she had no interest in sitting all by herself in some inferior inn, she had no objection. It was quite scandalous that she was traveling alone, but Edward's plans for a chaperone for her had fallen apart at the last minute. The maid he had hired became ill and there wasn't time to find anyone else. Caroline didn't mind. She had done for herself for years as Caroline Parker and expected she could do so as Caroline Christie.
It would take several days to deliver her to her new home. Just as she had requested, a hired coach was parked at her steps. Caroline didn't want to attract unwelcome attention with Edward's handsome crested carriage. It was past time to leave.
After another round of hugs and a bold kiss on her lips from Ben, Hazlett handed her into the carriage where Harold yowled a welcome. ”Remember this, my lady. We have your best interests at heart. May you find all the happiness you deserve.”
Touched, Caroline leaned down to give the old man a kiss on his cheek. She hoped the last two kisses of her life were not to be to a scruffy boy and an elderly butler. ”Thank you, Hazlett. They don't make butlers like you anymore.”
”I should say they don't. Now, you be careful. And keep in mind not everything is as it seems.”
”Excellent advice. Good-bye! I'll write as soon as I am settled.” She waved as gaily as she could manage, then settled back into the squabs of the coach.
”Hey there!”
Caroline looked out the window. All the current Janes, even the thieving Lucy Dellamar, had come out at the early hour, some wearing more clothes than others. They cl.u.s.tered around the sentry post at the iron Jane Street gate and tossed flower petals in her direction.