Chapter Eighteen #2
“It is a difficult choice,” Farah acknowledged, sitting beside her and taking her hand. “But consider this—by giving us a few days to prepare, you’re protecting not just Lucien but Ava-Marie, Lauren, and Madeline. The damage Lockwood threatens would affect them all.”
“Actually,” Rockwell interjected, his expression thoughtful, “we may have more time than I initially thought. The Spring Assizes begin next week. I happen to know that Sir Wilfred Chambers—Lockwood’s primary creditor—returns from the North specifically to attend court proceedings.
If my suspicions about Lockwood’s finances are correct, he’ll be particularly vulnerable once Sir Wilfred is back in town. ”
“That gives us nearly a week,” Farah said, hope brightening her face.
“But still requires Courtney to maintain the pretense with Lockwood,” Rockwell reminded them soberly. “It won’t be easy.”
Courtney straightened her shoulders, resolve replacing uncertainty. “I can manage it. For Lucien, for Ava-Marie—I would do far more difficult things than tolerate Lockwood’s company for a few days.”
“You shouldn’t have to face him alone,” Farah insisted. “I’ll ensure that either myself, Tiffany, or one of the sisterhood is always nearby at any social event. We’ll create a signal. If Lockwood becomes too persistent or threatening, you can alert us.”
“What am I going to tell the ladies? They will be suspicious of my being in Lockwood’s company.”
“Nothing. You can’t tell them anything. That will just make it more believable for Lockwood. Besides, it’s not our secret to share,” Rockwell said firmly.
Rockwell moved to the writing desk, pulling paper and ink toward him.
“I’ll contact my man of business, Mr. Harrington.
He’s discreet, highly effective, with connections throughout London’s financial and legal circles.
I’ll also reach out to your brother Tarquin—he has acquaintances in less savory establishments who might know of Lockwood’s vices. ”
“I need one more assurance,” Courtney said, her voice steadier now that a plan was forming. “Once we have stopped Lockwood, we do so in a way that ensures he has to leave England. If he stays here, I fear he could still ruin Lucien.”
“You have my word,” Rockwell said solemnly. “Once we’ve gathered sufficient leverage against Lockwood, we will put him on a ship going far away. Isn’t it lucky that I have such a fleet of vessels?”
“And in the meantime,” Farah added, “we’ll have to maintain appearances.”
“The prospect of deceiving Lucien, even briefly…” Courtney shook her head, her heart heavy. “It feels like a betrayal.”
“It’s protection, not betrayal,” Rockwell corrected gently. “Sometimes the most loving action isn’t the most direct one.”
The door opened then, and a maid entered with a tea tray. The conversation paused as she arranged the service and departed, but the brief interruption gave Courtney a moment to collect her thoughts.
As she accepted a cup from Farah, she contemplated the sapphire ring still adorning her finger.
Despite her hurt at Lucien’s lack of trust, despite the shocking revelations about Ava and Ava-Marie, her love for him remained unshaken.
If anything, understanding the burden he’d been carrying—the fear for his daughter’s future, the shame of having been so thoroughly deceived—only deepened her compassion for him.
“There’s something else,” she said suddenly, looking up at Rockwell.
“Something that might help us understand Lockwood’s timing.
He seemed particularly interested in whether I knew about Ava’s background—that she had worked in ‘certain circles’ in Dublin before meeting Lucien.
Could he have evidence beyond simply the absence of marriage records? ”
Rockwell frowned. “It’s possible. Lockwood has connections in London’s less reputable establishments. If Ava worked in similar places in Dublin, he might have learned about Ava from a woman working at such places.”
“Which means there might be people who could testify about her past,” Courtney realized, a chill running through her. “Making the scandal more difficult to contain if it breaks.”
“All the more reason to neutralize Lockwood quickly,” Farah said, setting down her teacup with determination. “We need to be methodical. While Rockwell investigates Lockwood’s finances and potential indiscretions, we can use our own resources to prepare contingencies.”
“What do you mean?” Courtney asked.
“Our investments,” Farah explained, lowering her voice despite the privacy of the room. “The profits from our mills and shipping ventures. If needed, we could establish a substantial trust for Ava-Marie, ensuring her financial security regardless of societal reaction.”
“That’s thoughtful, but money alone won’t shield her from scandal,” Courtney said, her heart aching for the innocent child who had captured her heart as surely as her father had.
“No,” Rockwell agreed. “But influence might. Between your family’s connections, Farah’s brother the duke, and my own standing, we could ensure that at least some doors remain open to her.”
A fresh wave of tears threatened, but this time born of gratitude rather than despair. “Thank you,” Courtney whispered. “Both of you. I came here feeling utterly alone in this, and now…”
“You’re never alone,” Farah said firmly, squeezing her hand. “Remember that tomorrow night when you face Lockwood. Behind you stands not just Lucien, but all of us who care for you both.”
Rockwell rose, his expression resolute. “I should go immediately. There’s much to arrange, and time is precious.” He bowed to both ladies. “I’ll send word as soon as I have anything useful.”
As he moved toward the door, Courtney called after him. “Rockwell—what if we fail? What if Lockwood exposes Lucien’s secret before we can stop him?”
He paused, turning back with unexpected gentleness in his usually sardonic eyes.
“Then we face it together. Lucien survived losing his memory, building a life from nothing, discovering that life was built on deception, and returning to a family and fortune in ruins. He is stronger than even he believes, especially with you by his side.”
After Rockwell departed, Courtney and Farah sat in silence for several moments, the gravity of their situation settling around them like a heavy cloak.
“I must ask you something,” Courtney said finally. “Something that’s been troubling me since I learned the truth.” She met Farah’s gaze directly. “Do you think Lucien could ever truly trust again? Trust me enough to love me as he once did?”
Farah considered the question carefully. “I believe,” she said slowly, “that Lucien already trusts you more than anyone else in his new life. His failure to tell you about Ava-Marie wasn’t about lack of trust in you specifically—it was fear of losing what you’re rebuilding together.”
“But—”
“Not many men in his position would risk such a revelation at all. Most would bury the secret forever, allowing their illegitimate children to believe a comfortable fiction rather than face potential scandal.”
Courtney hadn’t considered it from that perspective. “He did say that there was something he needed to tell me when we got back to London. Maybe he didn’t want to ruin our time together in Dorset. It was very magical.”
The realization soothed some of the hurt Courtney had been nursing.
Perhaps Lucien’s reluctance hadn’t been about trusting her specifically but about trusting anyone with a truth that could destroy his daughter’s future.
Perhaps it had been less about their relationship and more about his own wounds, still raw from Ava’s betrayal.
“Tomorrow night,” she said with newfound resolve, “I will face Lockwood. I will buy us time. And when this is over, Lucien and I will face whatever comes—together.”
Farah smiled, pride evident in her expression. “Lockwood has no idea what he’s unleashed by threatening you and those you love. By the time we’re finished with him, he’ll wish he’d never conceived this scheme.”
Courtney touched her engagement ring once more, drawing strength from its cool solidity. Lucien was far more damaged than she’d previously understood. She wished she’d known all of this when they were in Dorset. She could have told him it didn’t matter a jot to her.
Before Lockwood’s visit, she had worried whether Lucien could ever love her.
Now, she understood that perhaps the more important question was whether she could love him enough—enough to fight for their future despite the obstacles, enough to help him heal his wounded trust, enough to embrace Ava-Marie as her own regardless of her birth.
The answer, she found, was unequivocally yes.