Belgrave Square - Anne Perry [142]
“No.” Fanny’s voice was sunk to a whisper.
“Then—I don’t understand.” Charlotte was totally confused.
“That’s it,” Fanny said desperately. “There was no divorce. My mother and father are still married.”
“But—but what about Mrs. Carswell? I mean—Regina…” Suddenly Charlotte saw the awful truth. “Oh! You mean—you mean she is not married at all? Does she—?”
“No—no, she doesn’t know,” Fanny said quickly. “That is why I would not tell them the truth last night. That is why we neither of us can. Her marriage is bigamous. And her daughters—and her son—are bastards.”
“Oh my heavens!” Charlotte was aghast. “Oh you poor creature.”
“I can’t betray him,” Fanny said in anguish. “It would ruin him, and in so many ways, more terrible than that, it would ruin them too. Did you see Mabel with that young man yesterday evening? What chance would she have of marrying him—or anyone—if people knew?”
“None,” Charlotte admitted. “But what about you?” Then she wished she had not said it. Fanny knew only too well what her future was now. “I’m sorry,” Charlotte said quickly.
“I know.” Fanny’s hands closed around hers even more tightly. “Believe me, I’ve thought of it all since last night. I suppose I should have realized it would come out—I just thought it was all secret. Papa was so careful. He came to see me so very secretly. I don’t know who found out, or how. But perhaps it was bound to have happened one day.”
“Your brother? He seemed last night not to know.”
“He didn’t. He is younger than I and had no memory of Papa. Hilliard is my mother’s maiden name, and she used that after—after they separated. She never told James the truth, and I saw no point to it. I did not tell him that in the last two years I have seen Papa again. When Mama became ill—Very ill, not only in her body but in her mind, we needed help. I went and found Papa and told him of our state. He was full of sympathy, and perhaps a little guilt.” She winced. “And he helped immediately. He provided an allowance for Mama and used his influence to get James a good position in the City. Of course, James does not know that.” She smiled very slightly. “He was so very fond of me, so gentle and so nice to be with, I never once thought it was other than affection. I still don’t.”
“But you did not tell your brother?”
“No—nor will I now. He—he might betray Papa—to defend me—and that is something I am not prepared to do.”
“That is very fine of you,” Charlotte said with instant admiration.
Fanny smiled wanly. “It is also realistic. I love Papa; and I could not live with myself if I ruined his present family and brought such terrible misery upon them. But even if I did, who would admire me for it? People might see some justice in it—but justice is not what I want. I want Fitz—and that I cannot have. He would not love me for that, and I cannot tell him the truth.” Again her eyes filled quite suddenly with tears and she turned away for a moment to regain her self-mastery.
This time Charlotte permitted her the dignity of silence, then gently put her hand on Fanny’s arm.
“I would be very happy if you would permit me to be your friend,” she said sincerely. “For the little that is worth. That is, if when you know me better, the things you do not know at the moment, you wish it.”
Fanny put her other hand up and clasped Charlotte’s fingers tightly.
“Please,” she whispered huskily.
In his Bow Street office Micah Drummond paced the floor from the closed door to the window