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All the expectation drained from Mary and she was beset with grief, realising that this would not be so easy as she had hoped. Alas, this man was clearly unwilling to put himself or Charlotte in danger by confessing to anyone whom he deemed important. And Mary was clearly not important.
“Please, sir. It would mean so much if you would do this. I know that you wish to be loyal to Charlotte, but I am sure that you also wish to have a life with her. A life in which you are not always having to hide your love and pretend that you do not exist.
Would you not rather come into the world with the joy and excitement of a man who has found the woman with whom he belongs? Would you not rather confront her mother and beg for marriage?” Mary asked, hoping that he would see reason.
“I could not do such a thing. Her reputation would be ruined. Two young ladies may well know the truth, but I cannot have someone with a voice finding out,” he said, quite rudely.
Mary was taken aback by his shocking behaviour and when she looked to Lady Beatrice for comfort, she found her companion narrowing her eyes at the man and pursing her lips. But Lady Beatrice gave Mary a slight shake of her head to warn Mary not to pursue the matter or share that they were a good deal more important than he gave them credit for.
It would take away their power.
But for now, Mary was heartbroken. She needed this man to come forward so that her own name could be cleared. If he would not, how was she ever going to get her father to realise that she was being lied about and that Charlotte and her mother were the culprits? It wasn’t simply unfair; it was wrong.
Still, she knew there was nothing to be done.
“Sir, may I not intercede on my friend’s behalf?” Lady Beatrice asked.
“I know not who you are, but I grow weary of this. I am devoted to my Lady Charlotte and I will not harm her reputation. You must accept that because there will be nothing to change it. Now, if you please, I should like to return to my work,” he said, brushing them off.
Mary was grateful that Lady Beatrice made a final plea, but it was clear that they would get no further. Lady Beatrice looped her arm through Mary’s and led her back out the door without another word. They departed and Mary finally released the breath she had been holding. Her shoulders were still tense, but at least she could breathe again.
“I know you are devastated, Mary, but we shall do what we are able. I may at least tell my brother the truth and that is something,” Lady Beatrice reminded her.
“Yes, but without my father’s willingness to listen, it means nothing. Lady Rachel will simply say that I have fooled and bewitched him, trying to turn the blame to my stepsister. And now, this blacksmith may tell Charlotte that I have come and she shall be preparing her response. She will have a way out of this before I have decided my next step,” Mary stressed.
There truly was nothing more to be done. Charlotte would have her way and Mary had been naïve to think that she could come here and convince this man of anything.
“At the very least, we know the truth, and I did not reveal my identity to him, Lady Mary. For that matter, neither did you. And even if he figured out who you are or has his assumption, he does not know me and Lady Charlotte will assume that you were with Miss Lambton or Miss Anne.
Your stepsister will not know at once that I know the truth or that I shall inform my brother,” Lady Beatrice said, clearly trying to find a bit of hope in the midst of it all.
Mary was grateful to her for that, but it was not simply Lord Hanbrooke whose opinion mattered to Mary. She longed for her father to give her a chance, for him to believe her and recognise that she was being mistreated. Surely Lady Beatrice could say something to him?
But no. That would be unfair and why would he ever believe Lady Beatrice over his own wife? He had made a choice and he was wed to Lady Rachel, for better or worse. And as to how that affected Mary?
There was nothing to be done but to wait until a day when she could finally put things right. But she would have to do it on her own. She learned long ago that no one was going to fight on her behalf.
