Chapter Twenty-Four

 

The party had been well under way when Rachel scanned the room once again. The majority of the guests were quite inebriated, stumbling across the room or tripping over nothing as they attempted dance steps that were beyond their current ability. She laughed silently when she realized that the nobility really were no better than their lower-class counterparts. She had seen very much the same comportment late at night at the pub.

For the first time since arriving at Elford Estates, Rachel felt as if she belonged here among these people. They had treated her as an equal, never once questioning her background. Perhaps they spoke more honestly behind their gloved hands, but at least in her presence they were cordial and respectable.

Her heart had never known such happiness, seeming to reach new heights with each song played as she casted glances at Lord Linfield. When he had disappeared a short time earlier, she found herself wondering where he had gone to. After the fifth person inquired of him, she decided it was time to go off in search of the man.

Making her way to the door through which she had seen him pass the last time she saw him, she glanced both ways in the hallway. To the right was his study; he could have gone there, but why would he choose tonight of all nights to work? The drawing room door was ajar, and Rachel decided to investigate that room first, and if he was not there, she would then look in the study. If she found him in that room, she would give him an earful about working during their own engagement party!

Voices floated through the crack in the door, and Rachel immediately recognized that of Lord Linfield and his mother, though the words were unclear. She moved closer to the door. She did not mean to eavesdrop, but something in their tone made Rachel do so, and with caution.

“It was you who was overcome with worry when you realized you had to marry the chit so you could get what that fool man Mr. Templeton left you! But it was I who suggested and guided you into tricking the woman into marrying you.” Her voice softened before she continued. “You have done a splendid job of fooling her, and now you speak of…” She paused. “No. The plan has worked very well and you will marry her and inherit her wealth. But remember, she is no lady.”

Rachel stumbled away, almost running and moving no better than the drunken guests in the ballroom, shame flooding through her. The man had meant to fool her the entire time, his words, his actions, all of it was a charade to win her heart so she would not leave. And all of it was for money! Fool her he had, and she proved to be the biggest fool of them all believing that a man could change as he had. For all her belief in him, there was no goodness in Lord Joseph Linfield, only greed.

Once she reached the ballroom—how she had decided to return there, she did not know—she grabbed the first glass she saw and downed it, the fiery liquid of what she realized was brandy burning her throat, bringing tears to her eyes and doing nothing to damper the growing anger inside.

Her first reaction was to leave at this very moment, but it would not serve her well to leave now; it was a party and she would stay and enjoy herself, for it might be her last chance to be a part of the nobility. However, first thing tomorrow morning, she would depart from this place, hopefully leaving the mighty Earl with the embarrassment of having to explain why his fiancée had left him.

Taking another glass from a passing footman, this time wine, she sipped at it carefully. It would not do her very well to wake in the morning so unwell she was unable to leave. She needed a plan, and to develop a good plan, she needed a clear head. Yes, a plan. One to save herself and to take everything she could from her father’s house.

“You stand out among these women,” Lord Linfield said in her ear, causing small bumps to form on her arms. “None of them can compare to your beauty.”

Rachel turned to face him. He had a smile on his face, and why should he not? In his mind, he was just a short time away from marrying her and amassing a fortune. She forced herself to smile. “Thank you,” she said, surprised at how level her voice was.

His eyes still held the kindness he had used with her for so long, a trick he had learned well enough to fool her. Well, after tomorrow, he would not be able to fool her again.

Henry walked up to them and gave a deep bow. “My Lord, your mother has asked me to inform you she is leaving tonight to return to her home.”

“Thank you,” Lord Linfield replied. The butler dipped his head and then left the two alone.

“Why is she leaving?” Rachel asked.

Lord Linfield smiled as he took a glass of amber liquid from a passing footman’s tray. He lifted it to her and smiled again. “I believe the party has been too much excitement for her,” he replied. “She will go home to rest.”

Rachel nodded, understanding exactly what had happened. Once the Dowager Countess had checked on her son’s progress, she no longer needed to be by his side. He had done what he was meant to do as far as the woman was concerned.

“Ah, I would like more of my friends to see my beautiful fiancée,” Lord Linfield said, his voice buoyant. “I wish to show you off to everyone.”

Rachel dipped her head only slightly and allowed the smallest of smiles to play on her lips. She could play his game, at least for this evening; it would make her escape tomorrow that much more rewarding. “Please, lead the way,” she said. “In fact, we should spend as much time with everyone as we can.”

***

All was quiet when Rachel returned to Elford Estates. Originally, she had planned to stay in one of the main guest rooms in Abberton House, but she could not stand to be anywhere near the Earl for more time than was required. Plus, she would be unable to pack her things if she was not home.

Home. How strange that she thought of this house as her home now. As she climbed the stairs, the tears that she had held back for the remainder of the party could no longer be dammed, and she lowered herself to the step where she sat and sobbed.

Lord Linfield had played his part of happy fiancé quite well during the whole of the night, as had she, smiling and speaking with people as if she was an equal, even though anger seethed just beneath the exterior. However, all that no longer mattered. Once the sun rose, she would begin her journey back to the Rooster’s Crow and to her parents, who loved her.

“Miss Cooper?” Leah asked from the upper landing. “Miss Cooper!” she shouted as she ran down the stairs and lowered herself beside Rachel. “What happened?”

Rachel looked up and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I…” However, the words would not come and the deluge of tears continued.

“Now, now, Miss, let’s get you up to your room,” Leah crooned like a mother hen.

Rachel allowed Leah to lead her up the remainder of the stairs and to her room, one arm wrapped around Rachel and the other hand holding a single candle in a holder. After they entered the room, Rachel went to the bed as Leah lit a few of the candles, lighting the room considerably. Rachel would miss this room.

Leah sat down on the bed next to Rachel and took her hand. “Now, what’s upset you so? Did the party not go as planned?”

Rachel laughed as she wiped at her eyes again. There was so much hurt and embarrassment, but she was grateful that she had someone to talk to. “The party was everything I could have hoped for and more. However, at one point, I realized the Earl had been gone for some time, so I went in search of him. I overheard him and his mother in the drawing room…” For the next few minutes, she shared what she had heard and then explained what she had done after.

When she was finished, she sighed heavily. “And to think this whole time it was all a ruse. He does not love me; he has only tricked me to gain more wealth.”

Leah shook her head. “I don’t know what to say,” she said after several moments of staring at the floorboards as if in shock. “What do you plan to do now?” Then she sat up straight. “I forgot!” she said as she reached into her pocket and took out a letter. “This arrived for you today.”

Rachel took the letter from the woman and opened it. It was from her parents back in Falmouth.

 

Dearest Rachel,

I hope you are well, and that being a lady is everything you could hope for. I wanted to let you know that we have found someone interested in buying the pub. We’ll be heading to stay at the house of a cousin to your father in York until we decide where to go next, so do not reply to this letter, for we’ll be gone before it comes…

 

Rachel continued to read the letter, the rest concerning people sending their regards, several pieces of gossip—Sally had found work at a nearby pub and was doing much better, much to everyone’s delight—and information on how the weather had been.

When she had finished reading, she set the paper aside and wiped at her eyes again. There was no more pub to run back to, no more parents who could open their home to her as they had when she was little. There was no home here, either. Now, she was truly on her own with nowhere to go and a future that was even more uncertain than when her mother left her on the doorstep of the Rooster’s Crow all those years ago.

Exhausted, she allowed Leah to help her undress. She was much too tired to think clearly now, and she needed a clear head to decide her future. Her planning had to wait until the morning.

***

Rachel had slept in much later than she had expected, rising almost at noon. However, the night before had been exhausting enough without the added complications to her heart. She did not feel much relief when she woke, but at least the sun was shining, promising a glorious day.

Opening her wardrobe, she smiled as she ran her hand over the simple blue dress she wore when she had first arrived. Her mother had made it for her—that is, Mildred—the material much less extravagant and costly than the other dresses and gowns that hung beside it, but Rachel cherished it today as much as when she first wore it.

She removed the dress and laid it on the bed as gently as if it had been the dark-blue gown she wore the previous evening. Once she had removed her shift and washed with the water Leah had left her while she was sleeping, she donned the simple dress and looked at herself in the mirror. Many a drink had been served in that dress, and the memories of the Rooster’s Crow tugged at her heart. How she would miss the boisterous customers, even if they took small liberties at times. At least she had been allowed to defend herself; usually a light slap on the hand was all it took.

What Rachel needed was to return to a similar place, to be able to be the Rachel she was before being brought to Elford Estate. Before giving her heart to Lord Linfield. Although her anger still rang strong in her veins, she could not deny the love she still had for the man, so great had been his performance that she could not let go of it. Well, she would have to learn.

Then a thought came to her. Perhaps she had a plan after all. Lord Linfield had a lesson to learn. There was the pub in Kellington, the one the Earl had scolded her for approaching. Not only would being there make her happy, but it would also bring him great embarrassment if she was seen there. That, combined with her leaving, would bring him shame for years to come, and it would be assured he did not receive that great wealth he had used her to acquire. How did the saying go? Kill two birds with one stone?

Once she had her hair pinned up, Rachel went downstairs where Sherman stood waiting as if expecting her at that very moment. He was a good man and had always treated her with great respect. She would miss him.

“Would you have the carriage brought around, please?” she asked the man. “I wish to go to Kellington.”

The butler seemed to hesitate before finally bowing at the waist. “Yes, Miss Cooper,” he said and then left to do her bidding.

Then Rachel heard footsteps behind her, and her heart beat against her chest as she wondered if Lord Linfield had arrived. It would have certainly explained Sherman’s hesitancy.

However, when she turned, it was Leah who was walking up to her. “So, are you leaving already?” Leah asked.

Rachel She had not explained the contents of the letter she had received, and Leah had not asked. She shook her head. “My parents sold the pub and I am unsure where to go next. However, there is a place in the city, a pub, with people as happy as I wish to be. If I go and join them, then I will be able to figure out where I should go next.”

Leah nodded hesitantly. “Your dress,” she said as she furrowed her brow, “I remember you were wearing that dress when you first arrived. It is a lovely dress.” Her voice was skeptical, and Rachel understood the meaning behind her words.

“The value of it in money is little, but the meaning has no price,” she explained. She placed a hand on Leah’s arm. “I will return later tonight, do not worry.”

Sherman returned and informed her that her carriage was ready. Rachel smiled at Leah and then walked out the front door. The sun’s rays were warm, but a light breeze kept it from being too warm. It was a perfect day.

As she looked around at her father’s property, she sighed. This estate was filled with pain and hurt, not the love she had believed had once graced it. Slipping her hand into the pocket of her dress, she felt for the stone her father had left her. It was supposed to bring her luck, but in the end, Rachel understood that there was no such thing as luck—only heartache.