Chapter Twenty-Two
T o say that Josephine’s morning had been chaotic would be an understatement. She had been relaxing in a hot tub of soapy water playing with the bubbles when Jane Crompton burst into her bedroom. The poor woman had been to the point of hysterics babbling on about how she had failed Josephine and everything was all her fault.
When Josephine had inquired about whatever had upset her, Jane and thrust her the turned down page of the Teatime Tattler and Josephine had read the awful gossip relating to last night’s visit to the theater. Josephine continued to peruse the dreadful news while Jane had continued her rant.
“If only I had been there then none of this would have happened,” Jane had cried out. “Your brother will sack me for certain once he learns of this latest blow to your reputation.”
“This is buried on the tenth page. It’s hardly newsworthy,” Josephine had exclaimed hoping beyond hope that her words would ring true. “And you are certainly not getting sacked. I had the Duke and Duchess of Davenport as chaperones for the whole evening with the exception of when we went to get refreshments during the intermission. ”
“And look how that turned out,” Jane had complained wringing her hands.
She had a point, as loath as Josephine was to admit it. Any sort of tittle-tattle linked with her name would most likely be the talk of everyone during their morning breakfast. She dreaded going out but there was no way she would hide at home and hang her head in shame. She should be thankful the news didn’t include someone seeing Gyles leaving her house in the middle of the night. She would have been ruined for sure.
Jane had continued to weep in a chair while Josephine’s maid helped her from the tub and chose a lovely gown in a shade of autumn colors. It was modest with the neckline covering her cleavage, a lighter colored ribbon was tied under her breasts. As she stood in front of the mirror, she appeared as any young lady might present herself to a duchess for afternoon tea. Now if only she could get through the meeting and not have the door slammed in her face. The wait until the appointed hour might kill her.
Gyles had come with an open carriage and hid his moment of surprise to see Jane was to accompany them to Winshire House, considering she was supposed to still be watching over her niece and nephew. But Jane had made it clear that Josephine wouldn’t be going anywhere without her from this moment on. Regret consumed Josephine for any private moments with Gyles seemingly slipped through her fingers.
During their ride, conversation was kept to frivolous topics like the weather. Josephine could have screamed from boredom. Obviously, she had been living on her own for far too long and had forgotten just how a young woman was always kept under the close eye of a lady companion.
Now, here they sat in a lovely salon waiting for the duchess’s arrival. Jane sat near the window while Josephine and Gyles sat in chairs facing each other. A tea trolly sat near the vacant chair. The sound of swishing fabric announced that the duchess drew near, and they all stood. The women dropped into a curtsey, and Gyles bowed.
The duchess sat and began to pour tea, handing cup and saucer to each of them while a servant took a cup to Jane by the window.
Josephine took a sip and then set her cup down on a small table set between herself and Gyles. “Your Grace,” she began only to be interrupted with the duchess holding up her hand to halt the apology that never left her lips.
The duchess peered from Josephine to Gyles until her gaze returned to Josephine. “I find myself in a bit of a dilemma where you are concerned, Mrs. Bouchard. On one hand, I gave my word to the Duchess of Davenport that I would help you return to Society, but other prying eyes apparently saw your little indiscretion if that horrid Teatime Tattler is to be believed. Since I myself was witness to the… tryst… others will clearly believe their words to be true.”
Gyles cleared his throat. “I take full responsibility, Your Grace.”
One of the duchess’s brows rose. “Yes… well… your reputation is not in question, is it Lord Wickes? If anything, you will only become more popular among your male peers for having made another conquest.”
Josephine had been in the process of picking up her cup and it rattled in her saucer as she set it back down. Her fingers trembled in her lap. “That is hardly fair,” she cried out.
The duchess took a sip of her tea. “Life never is where women are concerned. We tend to get the short end of the stick which is why I do my best to help those of us who are less fortunate or have fallen onto hard times.”
“You are too kind, Your Grace,” Josephine said wondering if the lady across from her would still offer her help.
“That is why I will still honor my word to Lord Wickes’s mother and continue my support. I must warn you, however, that I will not allow you to continue to put yourself into awkward situations where your good name is in question. Is this understood?” the duchess asked with a warning frown.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Josephine murmured.
The duchess turned her attention to Gyles. “And what of you, Lord Wickes? Will you do your part to play the perfect gentleman? No more little excursions behind curtains to ruin this lady’s name?”
“I will be on my best behavior, Your Grace,” Gyles stated turning his eyes to Josephine and giving her a smile of encouragement.
“Then let us begin with my plans to reintroduce you properly back into Society, Mrs. Bouchard. It won’t be easy after this morning’s gossip but I think we can still pull this off. Now, let me tell you how we shall begin.”
After they had reassured the duchess of their intent to be at their very best, she began to outline all she had planned for Josephine. Work on her charities, visiting the local hospitals, attending a ball the duchess had planned, and so many more events and excursions Josephine didn’t know how she would have any time alone with Gyles once this all began.
The duchess had thought of everything including having her secretary give Josephine a list of all they had discussed. The weeks to come would be filled to the brim with activities. Josephine was humbly grateful for all the duchess had planned. And while it would be hard on her not to have any free time to spend with Gyles, she had to admit that the busy schedule would ensure that she wouldn’t be able to get into any more trouble. Still, she already missed his kisses and could only wonder when she might experience them once again.