Page 31 of A Midwinter Wager

Chapter 21

“I think,”said Fitz, as he assisted Cesca down the steps onto the snow-encrusted gravel of Fernley Place, “we should all confront your father together. To that end, I’d advise you to follow your sister’s movements—she must not be permitted to pour her poison into Mr. Heathcote’s ear before we have the chance to put our case before him.”

Cesca wanted nothing more than a hot brick for her feet and a posset with warm milk. She was chilled to the bone, and her stomach was churning with apprehension. The next scene in this drama was unlikely to be a pleasant one. However, she nodded her acquiescence and made sure Alicia knew she'd not be permitted to go anywhere without an escort.

How strange it was to be home again, after all this time away! She was pleased to see the house sported Christmas decorations—the servants had done themselves proud this year, with swathes of ivy twined around the banisters, and a positive forest of fir and yew festooned above every doorway, with kissing rings suspended from them.

Now, after an infinity of pain and loss, dare she rejoice? Maybe, just maybe, all her torment, anguish, and worry would soon be put to rest. Her future lay in Fitz’s hands. As did her heart.

The housekeeper welcomed her with evident pleasure and ushered them all into the library, where a fire blazed cheerfully, and the shutters were closed against the frosty chill outside. The flames of many lamps and candles banished the shadows to the corners of the room and reminded her of how Fitz had looked last night, his glorious body bathed in nothing but flickering firelight. The sight was seared into her memory, and she would never forget the sure touch of his lips, nor the masterful way he’d possessed her, both body and soul.

Not precisely the studious thoughts usually associated with being in a library.

Tea was brought, along with almond cakes flavored with rosewater. No sooner had they started on these refreshments than a puff of smoke was sucked into the room as the library door opened to admit Papa. He greeted her with a broad smile and open arms and, surprised by such an outward show of affection, she went to him and was clasped firmly to his chest.

“My dear, I’ve missed you! Are you come home to us at last?”

“I fear not, sir,” said Fitz, bowing. “I have come once again to claim her for my own.”

“Don’t listen to them, Papa,” Alicia cried. “They mean to say such horrid things about me!”

“You might wish to sit down,” said Fitz crisply. “Our tale is not a pretty one.”

Papa looked from Alicia to Cesca, his brow wrinkled in confusion. "Have the girls argued?" he asked, turning to Fitz. "I did wonder what was keeping Cesca away so long, but Alicia assured me there was nothing wrong, just a little petty jealousy on Cesca's part because I thought you must marry Alicia."

“Please sit, Mr. Heathcote,” Fitz exhorted him, indicating a chair. “Prepare yourself for a shock.”

“It’s all a pack of lies,” squeaked Alicia. “You have to trust me.”

“Alicia, if you don’t allow me to speak uninterrupted, I shall eject you from the room and lock the door on you.”

Cesca was impressed by the ironclad command in Fitz's tone. Even the irrepressible Alicia cowered, though he'd barely raised his voice. Her stepsister perched herself on a chair, knotting her fingers together and glaring at anyone whose eye she could catch.

Fitz turned to Papa. “You will be disturbed to learn that neither one of your daughters is still a virgin.”

Cesca dragged in a breath, shocked by his bluntness. Alicia looked about to explode. There was a tense silence, during which Cesca could hear nothing but the repetitive chuck-chuck of a disgruntled magpie in a tree outside.

Papa’s stunned expression changed to simmering anger. “Go on.”

Fortunately, Fitz’s explanation was brief and to the point, sparing her blushes. It took Papa some time to absorb the information, however. She couldn’t help but feel for him—it must have been the last thing he wanted to hear. But who would he believe, Alicia or them?

Eventually, Papa turned to Alicia and asked, "Do you deny it?”

“Of course, I do,” she retorted. “Cesca’s just jealous Fitz is courting me instead of her, and she’s trying to cause trouble.”

“But it’s not Cesca who’s telling me this story,” stated Papa. "It's the only son of a very old friend of mine. I refused to listen to him before. I feel honor-bound to listen to him now. Pray continue, Lonsdale."

“The man who bedded your younger daughter had sworn to seek revenge on me for shaming him in front of our men while the regiment was stationed in Flanders. He intended to seek out the lady I was courting and ruin her. As Alicia has—much against my wishes—busily put it about that she’s engaged to me, she became the target of Brandt’s evil intentions.”

There was a snort from Alicia’s side of the room, but Fitz ignored it. “My dearest wish is to marry Cesca, and I know she feels the same way. We’re sick of Alicia’s machinations and lies—she’s manipulated everyone, sir, including yourself. I’m sorry to have to say this, but if you deny me again, I shall steal Cesca from you, by fair means or foul.”

Cesca dug her fingers into Fitz’s hand. Would Papa understand? Surely, he’d let her marry Fitz—she was already wife to him in all but name. She hardly dared breathe as she watched her father, trying to interpret his expression. His eyes locked with Fitz’s, but Fitz remained impassive, unafraid.

“Cesca’s always been a good and dutiful daughter,” Papa said eventually. “You’ve both committed a grave indiscretion, but I understand it was Alicia’s malice that put you in the path of temptation. From what you say, however, I’m coming to the opinion that a far worse sin has been committed by her, although I hate to condemn her without evidence. Have you any proof of this so-called feud between yourself and Captain Brandt?”

Cesca froze, but Fitz gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, then dug into a pocket and produced the letter he’d received in the carriage, which he handed to Papa.

Her father scanned the page, then scanned it again. He rubbed a hand across his brow and passed the letter to her. “I think everyone needs to read this.”