“If your father will not hear it, that does not mean society will not. All we need to do is inform the authors of the society pages. They have ways of confirming these things. Once it is in the paper, there will be no dispute. The damage will be done. Your father cannot argue against it and your stepsister will have no way of denying it,” he said, relieved that this was, at last, a solution.
But Lady Mary looked at him with horror. She clearly objected, although he could not fathom why.
“Lord Hanbrooke, I could not do such a thing. I know that Charlotte is not a kind woman and I know that she has done wrong, but I also know how sinister society becomes towards the young ladies spoken of in those pages,” she said. Then, with a sigh, she continued.
“In truth, there is a part of my heart that would love to see it. I have listened to her speak poorly of other woman so many times that I feel it is what she deserves. And yet, I always wished that someone had stood in protection of those young ladies. Whenever I hear of them, I long to shield them from the public humiliation.
“I know that there are consequences of mistakes and for immorality, but to be thrown before the public as a bone to the dogs? I could never be responsible for subjecting one of my sisters of England to such a fate,” she said.
Crispin clenched his jaw, both admiring her noble restraint and also frustrated by the lack of choices left to them. He had never met a woman who wanted so badly to lift others that she would truly show love to an enemy even at the worst of moments.
With that, he knew that Lady Mary was not only someone he should like to marry; she was the sort of woman he wanted raising and influencing his children. Her virtue was unmatched.
“If the blacksmith would come forward, my father and stepmother could know with certainty that I have told the truth. Although I would be unsurprised if they still claimed I had paid him to do so, all they would need is for him to willingly share information about Charlotte that only he could know, or if they could see the two of them interact.
I wish that Charlotte would come forward and, to be truthful, I cannot understand her reasoning. Why would she try so hard to get your attention if she loves another?” Lady Mary asked.
Crispin had been wondering the very same thing. Was it possible that Lady Charlotte was with child and she needed to find a respectable husband quickly? Or did she have some other game in mind? There had to be an explanation as to why she would push so hard to get Lady Mary out of her way.
“Whatever her reason, it is infuriating that she should harm you in the process,” Crispin said.
But the tender expression in Lady Mary’s eyes when she looked at him told Crispin that she was far more concerned about something else.
“It is your own heart that I worry for. I would never knowingly hurt you and I know that you believed I had lied. It is dreadful to think that you were put through such a trial simply because of Charlotte’s selfishness and her unwillingness to see others happy,” Lady Mary said.
“Thank you for your kindness. Such sweetness is unexpected considering that I made the dire mistake of not believing you when I ought to have. How you can forgive me is beyond my imagining. I was such a fool to think that you would ever intentionally be willing to lie to me,” he said.
“I suppose we may leave it in the past, then,” Lady Mary said.
“We must. Moving onward, know that I shall never doubt you again. There will only be good things yet to come to us,” Crispin promised, blushing as he said so.
Lady Mary looked away shyly, smiling at his words. Crispin wanted her to know how much he cared for her, how much she meant to him. Of course, it would be a mistake for him to say it aloud in that moment and he knew that he could do nothing so bold, but his heart ached not to tell her.
Instead, he wanted to make her another promise, something certainly more acceptable.
“I vow to do what I can to help you. I am not sure exactly what that may be, but I will not rest until I know that you have found your justice,” he said, looking her square in the eye.
Lady Mary returned his gaze and Crispin was locked with her. There was a pull between them, as if the distance itself was in pain from being stretched so far. Crispin was drawn to her and he slowly moved his head forward, ready to bridge the gap, ready to kiss her and make her know how much he longed to be with her.
But Crispin stopped himself. He took a deep breath, straightened his back, and pulled away slightly.
Lady Mary looked down in disappointment, as if uncertain what he meant in all of this. Crispin hated that he had given her cause for confusion, but he knew that it was not the right time.
He couldn’t kiss her yet. She was still trying to clear her name and there was much to be done to ensure that her reputation was spotless. Not only that, but Crispin wanted to focus on helping her before he allowed himself to be more open about his feelings.
With that in mind, he stood and bowed. “Lady Mary, I fear that I must depart for now. But I promise to return when I am able. Fear not—we will get through this. Soon enough, you will find that everything is as it ought to be. You will be free from this life that has you in its grips and your name will be restored.”
With that, Crispin turned from her and left. He didn’t know what the future would hold, but he knew with all his heart that he would do whatever it took to make Lady Mary his wife.