The Flawed Mistress (The Summerville Journals) (14 page)

   
"I am not sure I can do that, Richard," I said. "I will try, but
you need to understand how much I have hated her all this time.  It will
not be easy to change those feelings, not even for you."

   
"You will try, though?"

   
"Of course.
  Just do not expect too much,
please."

   
As we waited for the little maid to announce us, my heart began to beat faster
and when I saw Rachel up close, all my doubts came brimming to the
surface.  Could it really be possible that these two had not been lovers,
despite what he told me?  How could he have resisted her?

   
She stood up and her eyes held Richard's before she said in an accusing tone:

   
"You told her."

CHAPTER
FIFTEEN

Rachel's Journal

   
When Louisa led them into my little sitting room, she looked abashed. I doubt
she ever thought she would be announcing Lady Summerville in this house.

   
"Lord and Lady Summerville," She announced,
then
fled to the kitchen.

   
I got slowly to my feet and my eyes held Richard's.

   
"You told her," I said at once.

   
"Rachel, I had to," he said pleadingly.  "I wanted us to
have an honest new start.  I know I have let you down, that they were your
secrets to tell.  Will you forgive me?"

   
I felt very uncomfortable having this conversation in front of Bethany, wondering what she must think of me,
afraid to talk to him with my usual familiarity lest it offend her.

   
She studied me carefully, her dark eyes sweeping over my face as though trying
to see into my soul, into my heart, trying to decide whether to believe what
she had been told.  How hard was it going to be for her to accept that her
handsome, virile husband had treated me as a sister all these years?  Even
when he was sharing his apartments in the palace with me?  I knew I did
not look the innocent, I never had; I only wished I could.

   
 After a glance at Richard, as though seeking approval, she stepped
forward and took both my hands in hers.

   
"Is it true?"  She asked softly.

   
"Yes, it is," I answered carefully, wondering whether I would now be
called a liar.

   
Then she let go of my hands and put her arms around me, hugging me close.

   
"I feel for you, My Lady," she said gently.  "Richard tells
me you have done me a great service, quite possibly saved my life.  I
thank you from the bottom of my heart, for both of us."

   
While we stood so close together, I could feel her trembling and her pulse
racing, I could almost feel the doubt that remained.

   
"I was happy to do it," I said.  "I do not suppose in his
modesty, Richard told you what he has done for me over the years."

   
I picked up the rolled up parchment that Richard had sent to me and gave it to
her.

   
"Perhaps this will convince you, My Lady," I said.

   
She stood and read the letter, her expression changing from one of doubt to one
of sorrow.  I looked past her at her husband and saw him mouth the words
"thank you" for the second time that day.

   
I gestured them both to sit down and poured wine.  I was running out of
things to say and I was afraid of saying the wrong thing.  Apparently, he
had persuaded her that our relationship was always purely platonic, but we
still loved each other and I was afraid she might see that and take it to mean
he had lied.

   
"I will return to Finsbury, My Lady," I said as soon as we were
seated.  "I do not want the villagers to start their gossip
again."

   
"I do not care what they think," she said.  "Of course, if
you will be happier there, then that is one thing, but please do not leave on
my account.  I owe you a debt that can never be repaid, not only in taking
my place at court, but in persuading my husband that I did not go out of my way
to betray him."

   
My eyes met hers and I felt humbled by the love she so obviously had for
him.  Did I really convince him?  Was it only my word, or did he
understand why she did what she did?

   
I wished I could have stayed, wished we could have been friends.  But I
knew the people here would never believe the truth. They would not welcome me
and they would soon pity her.

   
"People here believe they know what I have been, and nothing anyone says
is going to change that.  If I stay, they will resent me and they will
resent Richard.  I will be better in Finsbury, where nobody knows
me."  I watched her expression and thought I saw a frown of suspicion
cross her lovely features.  I could almost hear her wondering if this was
some plot to keep me in her husband's bed, wondering if she was being made a
fool of.  If the letter did not convince her, nothing would. "If I
stay, I will come between you.  I will not allow that."

   
She turned to Richard and said something that surprised me.

   
"Could you leave us, please?  Do you mind?"

   
He too looked surprised but he left the room and I heard the front door open
and close behind him.  Now I was the one trembling, wondering what it was
she wanted to say that she could not say in front of him.

   
"Are you not convinced?"  I asked her.  "Even seeing
his last request to me?"

   
"I believe you," she replied quietly.  "It is not easy, but
I do believe you.  And I think I understand why you did not want anyone to
know the truth, why you did not want people whispering about you."

   
"What then?  What troubles you, My Lady?"

   
"He says he loves me," she replied simply.  "Does he speak
the truth?  Has he really forgiven me?"

   
It was my turn to take her hands.

   
"Oh, My Lady!"
  I cried.  "He
loves you more than anything in the world.  He was prepared to die for
you.  You must never doubt him, never."

   
"Thank you," she said softly, squeezing my hands.  "I hope
we will meet again.  I hope you will call on me before you return to
Finsbury.  I know that Richard will want to see you again."

   
Then she was gone, leaving me to envy her the future she would have with the
only man I could ever have loved.

THE
END

Copyright 2013 Margaret
Brazear

Author's Note:  Thank you
for reading Book Two of the Summerville Journals.  I hope you enjoyed it
and if you did, I hope you will leave a review on the Amazon website.

Please consider my other
Books:

The First Book of the
Summerville Journals:
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Judas
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[
url
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Romany
Princess[
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[
url
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Mirielle[
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]