The Blackmailed Beauty by Withers Ilene

Author:Withers, Ilene [Withers, Ilene]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Astaea Press
Published: 2013-10-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Claire flopped back on the bed. “Oh, Willa, what am I going to do?”

Her cousin looked thoughtful and then answered her. “To be honest, I don’t know, Claire, but we must plan it carefully.”

As Claire rolled over on her side, she realized she did feel good. Of course the blackmail was still hanging over her head, but now she had a comrade, someone who understood.

“Let’s try to plan this logically,” Willa suggested. “Even if the ideas aren’t good ones, let’s start now before any more time gets away from you.”

“Good idea,” Claire said. “My first thought and, of course what I have been trying, was to live up to the terms of the blackmail,” she explained.

“Yes,” Willa said. “Now I know the whole story, I can see why you’ve flirted and tried to get Lord Roydon’s attention.”

“It did not work,” Claire said, “because until last night I felt I could call him my friend, but nothing more. And now I cannot even call him a friend.”

“I trust he is more forgiving than that,” Willa said, “but you did shock him.” She began to giggle. “Now I think about it, it could be quite funny someday for us all.”

Claire looked over and saw the unexpected merriment in her cousin’s eyes. Replaying the library scene in her mind, her lips quirked, too. “Sadly, you might be correct,” she said as a tiny giggle escaped. She grew serious, “but right now it isn’t.”

“You’re right, of course. Let’s explore other options. What if you told someone – someone who could bring her to justice?”

“I thought about it,” Claire said, "but it is their word against mine, and their father is an earl, and mine is a mere vicar. No matter how well-respected he is, I’m afraid it would not work. People always seem to be ready to see the worst in someone, whether or not it is the truth.”

Willa nodded. “Especially here in London. Many other lives have been ruined by a single incident. And if we told my father, who perhaps has more status, he would become hotheaded and protective, and he would probably call Viscount Pitt out. Although,” she said with a brightened tone, “Father is quite a good shot.” Then Willa frowned. “I would hate to chance it, though,” she finished.

“And if we told Mama or your mother, they would tell Papa and Uncle Yale and we are back where we started from.”

“What of the duke?” Willa asked.

“I have hurt him so much, I am not confident of his feelings. He has never spoken to me of them, and men always seem to talk about duels. I don’t want anyone to fight a duel over me.”

“The earl? He would have no reason to call the viscount out.” They both thought about this idea and then Willa dismissed it herself. “Unfortunately, he would tell his best friend, the duke, and then we are back to the duel.”

They were silent for a time, each contemplating idea after idea. Finally, Willa perked up. “You have two weeks, right?”

“Minus two days,” Claire reminded her.

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