Closer To Sin (31 page)

The ormolu clock on the mantle counted away the seconds as silence descended upon the room’s occupants. Liliane surveyed the scene before her and tried to calm the tremors that raced below her skin. Everyone sat in silence until a knock at the door released them from their trance.

Everett, taking care to close the door behind him, entered bearing a tea service. He positioned it upon the table before Lady Carrick and methodically laid out cups and saucers. ‘I thought you would be in need of some refreshment, your Grace,’ he addressed Nate.

Turning to Liliane he carefully removed the pistol from her hand and slipped it into his pocket. ‘Miss Desailly, let me take care of that for you. I think there may be a slight blockage in the rifling, causing it to have discharged so unexpectedly. I shall have it cleaned and returned to you promptly.’ With that he discreetly exited the room.

***

‘Thank God for sensible servants,’ Sinclair observed, although it was doubtful his sweet little firebrand would agree with him right now. She seemed none too pleased at her sudden disarmament.

‘This is all my fault,’ Yvette spoke from the doorway. She entered the room and closed the door behind her. Wringing her handkerchief in her hands she paced across to the window. Sinclair cocked an eyebrow; now this was interesting.

He watched on as Liliane went to her cousin and wrapped her arms about her. ‘That’s nonsense,
sweetie
. You had nothing to do with this situation.’

‘Oh but I do. If I hadn’t urged you to help Solange you would have never gone to France in the first place. I thought if you did this one thing, you would get this need to do something adventurous out of your system.’ She hiccupped and wiped away the tears that spilled from her eyes.

‘This is outrageous,’ thundered Lady Carrick. ‘Martinbury, you are guardian to these two girls, how did you allow this to happen?’

‘Aunt Woolner, your continued recriminations are not assisting to resolve this matter. If you wish to be helpful, I would greatly appreciate a cup of tea.’

Lady Carrick looked unlikely to relent, until she huffed and haughtily sat herself before the tea tray.

Yvette accepted a cup of the refreshment and sat staring into it with a sad, dejected look upon her face.

‘Yvette,’ prompted Sinclair, ‘Tell me why you thought Solange required Liliane’s help.’

Yvette hesitated before pulling a crumpled letter from her pocket. ‘About six months ago, Solange started to write to us.’

‘Go on,’ Sinclair prompted.

‘Through the course of our correspondence we discovered Grandpère had left behind a journal. I wanted to read it, to learn more about my parents. I was only eleven years old when his Grace smuggled me into England, I barely remember them. Liliane was going to bring it home with her.’

Sinclair looked to Nate to see if he was having as much trouble following the story as he was. ‘But Yvette, that still doesn’t explain why Solange simply couldn’t have had it couriered to you.’

Yvette took another sip from her tea. ‘Because Solange said she needed help to fulfil Grandpère’s legacy; that it was a matter of family honour. I—we thought it must have been something serious, but it was nothing more than delivering Grandpère’s pocket watch to Monsieur Lyon. I confess, I still don’t understand the urgency or secrecy of it all.’

‘Me neither,’ Liliane sighed. ‘But I insisted I would be the one to go to France, Yvette,
sweetie
,’ she implored, ‘you don’t need to take responsibility for my actions. It was I who forced the issue. I found Captain Joe and bribed him to take me, and to bring me back two weeks later. All I wanted was to have one moment where I was responsible for my own decisions before being bound in marriage to someone.’

Sinclair watched the emotions chase across Liliane’s face as she sought to explain to her uncle and Lady Carrick the impulses that led her to make such a decision. Her sapphire eyes had darkened to the colour of a midnight sky, and with every word her hands sought to bring her emotions to life. She radiated energy and passion, and even in what must be one of her darkest hours she remained resolute. For a moment he forgot his abiding sense of betrayal.

‘It seems, however, that there was so much more at play than either of us ever guessed. Solange said nothing of Gareth’s murder. I truly believed my actions would help restore our family’s honour,’ Liliane bitterly revealed.

‘Saynsberry is dead?’ Lady Carrick demanded, her complexion as grey as her hair.

Nate held up a stalling hand. ‘We don’t know, Aunt. For now, we’re assuming he’s simply missing.’

Lady Carrick placed her cup and saucer on the table before her, the shaking of her hand causing the china to rattle. ‘But—’

Sinclair raked his hand through his hair. Christ, the news would cause pandemonium across the Ton if it were to get out. Not to mention how difficult it would be to explain Gareth’s presence in France. ‘Lady Carrick, I only ask that you trust in Martinbury, and guard this information. The lives of many others depend upon it.’

Lady Carrick raised her chin and looked at him with a long, penetrating stare. ‘I find it difficult to believe you and Saynsberry could be involved in anything as commendable as protecting the security of our nation. But I trust my nephew. That will have to be enough for now.’

Sinclair let out a pent up breath and nodded. That was the best he could hope for.

As for the virago on the other side of the room—that was another matter. ‘
Mon fleur
, why is it you thought your actions could restore your family’s honour?’

Liliane looked from Nate back to himself. ‘They were executed for being revolutionaries. Solange said Monsieur Lyon could fabricate evidence that would show they were falsely accused, and our lands would be returned to us.’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t really know why it had to be me, other than the fact that I am the only surviving child of the last Baron Desailly. I really knew nothing more. And look at the disaster it has all turned out to be.’

Sinclair let his head drop back and shut his eyes. It was curious how Solange Beaumont continued to feature so prominently in this investigation. Either she was implicated in Gareth’s disappearance, or she was simply using Liliane to further her own personal goals and settle a few old family vendettas. It was about time they dug a little deeper in that quarter.

He opened his eyes to see that Liliane had turned to look out the window. Even with her back to him, Sinclair could read the tension vibrating from her, and the disappointment that must be consuming her.

He had vowed once before that he’d never again commit to a society marriage, to any marriage for that matter. The idea of another emotionless alliance purely for the sake of securing the succession left him cold. Until a sable-haired temptress had shown him that friendship between a man and a woman could exist. Not just carnal desire, but true friendship, where one could talk and confide one’s feelings without the fear of ridicule. Or simply not talk at all. But even that had turned out to be an illusion. One that had turned into a trap from which there could be no escape, so he may as well push the lock home.

‘It doesn’t have to be a disaster,
mon fleur
.’

‘And just how do you propose to resolve this tangle, Esselton? The same way you dragged my niece into it?’ Lady Carrick snapped.

‘What I propose, Lady Carrick, is that I have already proposed.’

‘Balderdash! You’re speaking imbecilic gibberish. Not that I should expect anything less from you, your grandfather was no better.’

‘Throw you over for someone more congenial, did he?’

She lurched to her feet ‘You—’

Nate’s patience had long ago reached the end of its tether. ‘Aunt Woolner, be seated. Esselton, stop antagonising my aunt and explain yourself.’

Sinclair glanced towards Liliane and saw comprehension begin to dawn upon her face. ‘Liliane and I are already legally wed. Ergo, there is no unholy mess. We simply put a discreet announcement in the
Times
, maybe the
Morning Post
, and we move on.’

‘No,’ Liliane and Lady Carrick declared in unison.

‘No?’

‘I—’ Liliane proceeded to explain but was abruptly cut off by Lady Carrick.

‘Totally unacceptable, this girl will not be subjected to such a mésalliance.’

‘Mésalliance? In case you’ve not heard, my Lady, I inherited the title over twelve months ago. As one of the very few unattached marquises who can also boast being under the age of thirty, having a full head of hair and all of my own teeth, I am considered to be quite the eligible catch. In fact, Liliane could hardly do better than me.’

‘Freddy Parkes—’

‘Freddy
bloody
Parkes
will not
be marrying my wife!’ Sinclair roared.

Lady Carrick stood and marched to the door. ‘I’ve had enough of your bad language and insolent manner, Esselton. Martinbury, you may attend me in my sitting room once you have dispensed with this interloper. Yvette, you shall accompany me.’

Sinclair shuddered as the formidable woman sailed from the room, dragging the hapless Yvette with her.

Liliane appealed to Nate. ‘Uncle Nate, I won’t stay married to this man. He lied about his true identity and we married under duress. I wish for you to apply for an annulment on my behalf.’

‘It won’t be that simple I’m afraid, Liliane. You don’t actually have grounds for an annulment.’ He cleared his throat, ‘And there is of course the small matter that the marriage has … ah, been consummated. And,’ he shut his eyes briefly. ‘Ah—
damn it
. Are you pregnant?’

Liliane flushed bright red. ‘I am not. But given he married me using a false name, under false pretences, surely fraud is sufficient grounds,’ she pressed.

‘But,
mon fleur
,’ Sinclair sought to clarify. ‘We were married in France, where I am commonly known as Charles St Clair. Only a select few, such as Anais and Gaston, know my true identity. Therefore, any Bishop reviewing the case would refuse to recognise it as a fraudulent act.’

‘That’s right! We were married in France. By the Lord Mayor of Boulogne-Sur-Mer, not in an English church, so therefore the marriage cannot be valid.’

The woman was being deliberately obtuse. ‘You realise if this edict were to be applied, more than half the children of France would instantly be declared illegitimate,’ he drawled.

‘Liliane,’ Nate drew her attention. ‘Esselton’ s right. Like it or not, the marriage is valid. What we need to do now is initiate a plan that will enable us to avoid scandal.’

Sinclair nodded. ‘Something that will put the Ton on notice that there is a prospective alliance between us, after all, there’s already speculation as to why a betrothal to Parkes wasn’t announced last night. No one need know that we are already married.’ He looked to Nate.

‘Just so, Esselton. Then, towards the end of the Season, we’ll place a betrothal announcement in the papers, host a betrothal ball and you can be married quietly in the chapel at Manning Grange shortly afterwards. Many of the French repeat their vows in a church after their civil ceremony so there is nothing untoward in you also doing so.’

‘It’s the only way,
mon fleur
.’

Liliane stood. ‘No, I won’t have it,’ she declared before abruptly departing the room.

Sinclair winced at the sound of the door slamming. Perhaps he wasn’t such a sought after catch after all.

Nate stood and walked to the liquor cabinet. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m in need of something significantly more fortifying than tea.’ He poured them each a measure of whiskey and passed one to Sinclair.

He gratefully accepted the libation. ‘Explain to me, Martinbury, how is it that in all the years we’ve been friends, I have never met your niece before?’

‘Are you sure?’

Sinclair shook his head in denial. ‘Didn’t even know her name.’

‘Oh.’ Nate shrugged. ‘I expect she was still in the school room, and your paths never crossed. And Constance never really joined in any of the family gatherings after Phillipe was killed in that riding accident. Not to mention, my Aunt seems to have a pathological dislike of you—one you went out of your way to nurture over the years—so there was never any fear of
her
allowing an introduction.’

Nate paused briefly, grief shadowing his face. ‘When Constance and Jamie fell victim to fever, Liliane and Yvette came to live at Manning Grange, but I’m rarely there, and certainly you’ve been occupied with your own concerns these past two years.’

‘Damn it, Nate, no matter what we do to try and fix this, it’s still a bloody shambles. Still, I swear by all that’s holy—I would never have gone near her if I’d known she was your niece.’

‘And yet you did, Sin. I’ve never known you to be anything but the consummate professional. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen you extricate yourself from a situation without compromising the outcome, and I’ve never seen you become involved with a woman while on a mission. Why now, and what on earth made you think marrying the girl would be a viable solution? Napoleon’s Civil Code notwithstanding, surely you realised that obtaining an annulment wouldn’t be that easy?’

Sinclair tossed back the remainder of his drink. ‘Have you finished berating me yet, Nate?’

His friend let forth a frustrated growl. ‘I’m simply trying to understand what led you to do something so out of character.’

‘Different situations call for different strategies, Martinbury. You’ve been around long enough to know that.’ Sinclair stood and placed his empty glass on the table. ‘If you will excuse me, I’m going to meet with my solicitor. I need to apprise him of the changes to my domestic status.’

‘I’ll be expecting you back for dinner, Esselton. We need to start to plan a few strategies. Meanwhile, I need to decide what to tell Sir Avery.’

‘I’ll leave that to your discretion, but my preference—if it counts for anything—is to leave Liliane out of it.’

Sinclair held Nate’s glare for several seconds before turning and exiting the room. There was little he could say that was not going to further antagonise his closest friend. And there was little he could do to change the circumstances between him and Liliane without leaving her reputation vulnerable to untold censure.