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“If by ‘decisive action’ you mean to say I should pretend a sentiment I don’t feel in order to secure him, then I must refuse. If his favor cannot be earned honestly, then I do not wish it.” Eden could hardly believe they were having this conversation. The woman was no confidante of hers to be speaking so plainly of such intimate matters!
“I understand you think it premature to claim any sort of tender feeling towards him,” said her hostess. “But know that if you leave him without a definitive answer for too long, he will not linger. If he should come to doubt your affections, he’ll cut his losses and be gone before you can blink. I know this about him.”
She hesitated, as though debating whether or not to speak further. When she lifted her head again, Eden saw determination in her eyes. “Because I feel it necessary in order to make you understand, I shall entrust you with a secret known to very few people. I did not throw Percy over for Henry as everyone believes. It was Percy who broke off our engagement.”
Eden felt the blood leave her face. He’d been telling the truth.
“He realized I was in love with Henry even if I did not want to admit it,” Lady Montgomery continued. “I was terrified of loving him, and Percy was the perfect escape. I liked him a great deal, and I would have done my best to make him happy, but fondness wasn’t enough, you see. Percy wanted more than I was willing, or indeed able, to give him.”
The memory of his kisses assaulted Eden, and she knew the woman spoke true. He had demanded everything of her, body and soul. He wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less than possessing all of her.
“Had I never met Henry, I’ve no doubt but that I could have loved Percy, in time,” said her hostess. “He is, as I’ve said, a good man, if a bit rough around the corners. He certainly did not deserve the pain I gave him. In speaking so candidly with you now, I hope to prevent history repeating itself, for he is my friend, and I would not wish him to endure such injury ever again.”
The pieces finally settled into place, and at last Eden understood. Lady Montgomery had indeed wounded Percy. Deeply. And this was her attempt to protect him and thereby make amends.
“I shall say one thing more, and then vow to be forever silent on the matter,” said Lady Montgomery.
Steeling herself, Eden held her breath—heaven only knew what the woman would say next.
“I wish to allay any fears you may have regarding my relationship with Percy. Despite what the gossips say, we are friends only. I’m in love with my husband, as Percy knows all too well. Believe me when I say that he has no romantic illusions where I am concerned.”
Involuntarily, Eden’s gaze dropped to where the countess’s hand rested on her belly.
“Indeed,” chuckled the lady, the sparkle returning to her gemlike eyes. “As you can see, I’m quite content in my marriage. Indecently content, some have said.”
Not quite knowing what to say, Eden merely nodded.
Her blushing response elicited another laugh from her hostess. “I shall be even more shocking and venture a prediction that you will be as happy as I, should you marry Percy. But you must decide your course soon,” she urged. A mischievous grin broke across her face. “Once you have accepted him, I shall be most pleased to assist you in convincing your family of his suitability. I excel at gentle persuasion.”
Eden doubted that even Lady Montgomery, with all her influence, could achieve such a feat. It would take nothing short of a miracle to make her stepmother approve of Percy.
“Now! Let us move to other, more lighthearted subjects, shall we?” said Lady Montgomery with all cheer. “Do you enjoy playing cards?”
The scenery passed by without Eden even seeing it. Lady Montgomery’s words kept running through her mind. Many assumptions had been drastically altered by the visit. It was one thing to hear a man’s words and observe his behavior while he was putting his best foot forward in an effort to impress. It was another entirely to hear the testimony of others on his behalf.
And what testimony! Lady Montgomery had no reason to trust her with such dire secrets. She’d taken a huge risk in doing so, for there wasn’t an ear in London that wouldn’t be tickled with unholy glee to learn the truth.
Eden had come today half expecting the woman to try and dissuade her from accepting Percy’s suit. She’d anticipated ominous warnings about his lack of moral fiber—and to be sure, her hostess had been brutally honest in that regard, but her warnings had been mingled most curiously with praise.
Immediately upon her arrival at home, her presence was requested in her stepmother’s chambers. The door opened as Eden raised her hand to knock, and a frazzled-looking maid scurried out. The sympathetic glance the girl shot her was a clear warning: their lady mistress was in a foul temper this afternoon.
“Come in, Eden,” called Catherine from within.
Dragging her feet would only make her stepmother suspect she had something to hide. Which, of course, she did. Composing her features into a pleasant expression, she entered the inner sanctum.
Propped up by half a dozen pillows in the massive bed, her adversary appeared deceptively small and frail. “How went your visit with Lady Montgomery?”
“She’s a delightful hostess. I believe we shall be good friends.”
“Don’t prevaricate,” snapped Catherine. “What did she tell you about him?”
“Nothing I did not already know,” Eden lied. “His past indiscretions were briefly mentioned, but she assured me he is a changed man.”
“This from the woman with whom he is rumored to have maintained an ongoing affaire? All of London whispers of it! Do you think me deaf?”
Eden’s temper flared, but she managed to keep her voice low and even. “Whatever you’ve heard is untrue. I can assure you Lady Montgomery is not the sort of woman to commit adultery. She is in love with her husband entirely. I’ve seen the way her eyes follow him, and I’ve heard her account of the events leading to their marriage.”
“And you believe them?”
