Chapter 18
Algenon gripped the glass in his hand so tight his knuckles ached. Javenia had been crying when she left that afternoon and he’d done nothing about it. Every inch of him had wanted to rush to her, to gather her in his arms. Either that or strike his father for whatever he’d said to her.
Instead, he’d frozen, fearful one move in her direction would make his father announce to the entire crowd what had happened to her.
Hatred like nothing he’d ever felt before in his life burned in his chest. How could his father be so cruel? It wasn’t Javenia’s fault Lord Penwick had lied to her, led her to believe she was safe, and had then taken advantage of her. Nor had it been her choice.
Another young woman faced the crowd of those gathered at Mrs. Cline’s musicale, but he hardly noticed which one as he leaned against the back wall. The rest of his family sat in chairs near the front, Phillipa having accepted an invitation to perform.
As Algenon had expected, his father did not attend the House of Lords, nor did Lord Rupert or Lord Falcross.
What a waste. They had a chance to change England for the better and instead they’d sipped tea at Gunter’s and talked of nothing at all.
Thankfully, Lord Falcross and Miss Weston had excused themselves for the evening, having been engaged to dine elsewhere.
The relief Algenon had felt was short-lived, however, when Lord Rupert announced his intentions to attend the musicale in order to hear Phillipa sing. Even now, the grey-haired man with a paunchy middle and a stern demeanor ogled his sister as she waited her turn.
Throwing back the rest of his drink, he set the glass down before he broke it. His father might bully him, but Algenon would not allow Phillipa to be thrown to the wolves. Old, disgusting wolves at that. Lord Rupert had daughters older than her, for heaven’s sake.
Everyone clapped as the young woman at the front finished her song and Algenon belatedly joined them.
Several people shifted as Lady Plum rose from her seat.
Surely she wasn’t their next performer. He’d never seen the woman display one bit of musical talent in all the years he’d known her.
Instead of going to the front, the slender old woman with the perfectly coiffed silver hair marched to the back of the room.
He watched her curiously until Jacinda Harris stole his attention when she rose and made her way to the front. Another wave of guilt washed over him. Javenia was not here. Had she stayed home to avoid him? More than likely it was to avoid his father.
“Why are you not singing?”
Algenon startled and looked down to find Lady Plum standing next to him. “Because we must let the ladies exhibit. Their talents far outweigh my own.”
She sniffed. “Do not play at humility. It does not suit you. I have never seen a performance that could rivel the duet you and Miss Harris put on two seasons ago.”
He remembered. Javenia had a sweet lilt to her voice that had always complimented his baritone. They had sung in perfect harmony.
“Where is Miss Harris this evening?” Lady Plum pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes.
Lifting a monocle from her reticule she examined the crowd.
“Is she ill? You are hardly ever without her, so I should not think she would accept an invitation elsewhere. And that is her sister up there, if I am not mistaken.”
Algenon fought the urge to rub the back of his neck. Had Lady Plum really noticed how often they were together?
“I am uncertain why she did not attend,” he said softly, not wanting those around them to overhear.
She looked at him sidelong. “I hardly doubt that. When are you going to settle down and marry that girl?”
The question hit him square in the chest. “I’m not, that is, I…” he sputtered.
A pair of gentlemen on the back row glanced over their shoulders and Algenon cringed. The dark-haired gentleman looked at him curiously. His face was familiar, but he could not place him. The other gentleman he knew well. Lord Hamdon’s accusatory blue eyes met his.
Had he heard his denial?
Lady Plum tsked. “How can you say such a thing? Do you not know what an expectation you have raised these last four seasons, at least? I know Lord Falcross has been throwing his dissolute daughter at you lately, but you are wiser than that. Miss Harris will be quite ruined if you do not do right by her. Society has seen the way you dance and flirt.” She placed a hand to the side of her mouth and lowered her voice.
“And using Christian names…” She shook her head like it was the most scandalous thing she’d ever witnessed.
Algenon’s heart pounded in his chest, and a trickle of sweat dripped down his back. His father was right. He was reckless. No matter what he did, Javenia would face ruin.
Miss Jacinda’s song finished and clapping filled his ears. Several more people near them glanced their way. How many of them had overheard Lady Plum’s declaration? How many agreed with her?
His father rose to make room for Phillipa to pass, a flash in his eyes as he glanced in Algenon’s direction. Lady Plum had been far louder than he thought. Had the whole room heard?
Phillipa took her place, clearing her throat nervously as she sat at the piano. Extremely accomplished, she could accompany her own singing, but when she hit a wrong note in the introduction, he worried she’d lose her nerve.
She looked to him, and he gave a nod of encouragement. Her chest rose and fell as she took a breath and began to sing. She was so sweet and innocent, so trusting and kind.
Lord Rupert shifted in his seat, drawing Algenon’s attention away. Only then did he recognize the woman glaring him down one row behind His Lordship. Lady Upton’s youthful face was hard and accusatory. Brown eyes, much like Javenia’s, burned into him.
He swallowed. It seemed today he had upset more than one Harris woman.
Javenia stared into the darkness through her window. She’d not bothered to light a candle or stir the coals in the fire, the efforts too much for her weary soul. Her family would be arriving home from Mrs. Cline’s musicale at any moment.
Hopefully they would think she’d truly gone to bed early, as she’d insisted she would. The last thing she needed was for her mother to question her again about the events of the day.
It was bad enough that her father had pulled her into a hug the moment he saw her after she’d returned.
For a man who rarely showed physical affection, it had overwhelmed her and caused her tears to fall afresh.
Not one to pry, he’d allowed her to weep into his coat and then carry on to her room where she’d hidden the rest of the day.
Mama, however, was not as easily dissuaded. She pestered her until Javenia had claimed a headache and the need to rest. If only that rest would have come.
Instead, she’d watched each and every dream she’d carried dissolve. Not that it had been that hard. They’d become brittle over the years, anyway. How did one hold on to fanciful desires when they were met with failure at every turn?
Perhaps if she had something to hold onto, a little change for the better, or a light to look forward to, but every seed of hope always met with destruction. Usually under Lord Roberts’s boot.
Years of disappointment had worn her down. She pulled her wool shawl tightly around herself, tucking her feet under as she adjusted on the window seat. The glass of the window was cool on her forehead as she leaned against it.
It was time to move on. She’d tried once, back when Duncan had claimed he loved her.
This time, it would be different. It was time to embrace her spinsterhood.
It would not be all bad. Many women found joy in a life alone.
Besides, Jenica had written just that morning to say she was in the family way.
It was time to turn her efforts toward doting on the little nieces or nephews that were to come, of which she would no doubt have many.
Already Cindy had turned the head of more than one eligible gentleman.
Then there were her friends. She’d have endless hours to talk of books, help with the needy, and learn new skills. Perhaps she could convince Livy into teaching her how to fence. Of course, with the revelations in Livy’s recent letter that might need to be put on hold.
She now understood what Algenon had been hinting at when he’d spoken of Melior and Nate’s hope for the future. Why her friend—both her friends—had waited to tell her she didn’t understand, but at least she’d have no end of babies to snuggle. Just not her babies.
She battled back the sudden sting in her eyes. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she picked up the list that sat before her.
It had been a disaster. How had she thought her efforts would bring about any change after so many years?
Stiffly, she rose and approached the fire.
Nothing was going to change. No matter how many things she added to the list, she’d never hold as much sway over Algenon as his father did.
She couldn’t delude herself into thinking that meant that he loved his father more than her, only that Algenon’s desire for respect and to be finally accepted by his sire would always overpower any other claim on his heart.
She glanced over the list one last time. The only thing she’d not been able to complete was to get Algenon alone so she could confess her feelings. With two fingers, she held the light blue paper over the glowing red coals.
A knock sounded at the door and she instinctively yanked it back. The door creaked open a crack.
“Javenia?” Her mother’s voice carried through the dim room before her footsteps followed.
Quickly, Javenia folded the paper. If there had been a flame instead of coals, she would have thrown it in, but she could not risk her mother reading what was written on the paper before the coals slowly consumed it.
“I thought you would be in bed.”