Page 49 of A Rogue to Cherish

That day at precisely four o’clock, Grant arrived as promised to fetch her. At his request, her aunt had agreed to come along for the carriage ride.

It was a perfect day for an outing and yet, Wren could not stop thinking of what Lady Roberts had said. They climbed onto the open-air carriage and the driver encouraged the horses into a slow trot.

Within minutes, her aunt, tired from working and hurrying home, fell asleep. Wren wrapped a blanket around her. As she studied her aunt, she was glad that soon she’d no longer have to work. The older woman deserved to rest, to enjoy her later years. Except…there was Lady Roberts’ confession. Grant and she were lovers.

“Has she given her notice?” Grant asked, his long-lashed gaze meeting hers. Dressed in dark brown, his perfectly tailored suit brought out his olive complexion and dark hair. He was so devastatingly handsome, she thought, she could stare at him for hours.

“I believe so, yes.” Wren busied herself by looking around at the passing scenery. They were to ride in the country that day to spend time getting to know each other more. Except, what if it was false; what if he didn’t love her as he’d said? What if their time apart he spent his time pleasuring and taking pleasure from another woman? If that was so, Wren didn’t want to get to know him better. If at all. Not if the wretched woman’s words were true, and she was horrified to find out if they were.

“Is there something wrong?” Grant reached for her hand, taking it in both of his. “You are very quiet. Did something happen at the modiste?”

“The modiste was fine. I feel strange spending so much on clothing.”

“You will need it. I do not mind at all.” He looked away for a moment as if in thought. “Soon I am to come into a large fortune. It will allow me the opportunity to give you your heart’s desires.”

The desires of her heart weren’t something that could be bought. In fact, she was struggling to keep her heart from breaking. The question she longed to ask him lingered on the tip of her tongue and she fought not to let it emerge. But, she knew, it had to be spoken. “There may not be a wedding,” she finally stated.

His gaze flew to her, his eyes widening. “What?”

“Are you still Lady Roberts’ lover? I cannot marry you if you continue to be with another woman.” Her voice cracked on the last words and Wren pulled her hand from his. “I saw her today and she admitted it to be true.”

“Ah.” Grant let out a long breath, his gaze falling to his lap. “I had hoped not to have to speak of this so soon.”

The carriage had to stop. Wren wanted to scream to the driver to take them back so he would stop. Most of all, she didn’t want to continue on a drive, a romantic gesture, while her fiancé admitted that he had a lover, and that he did not plan to change his roguish ways. Instead, he expected her to accept it.

But she wouldn’t. No matter how much she thought she loved Grant, there was no way she’d allow herself to be in a marriage where her husband was unfaithful. It was going to be hard enough with their differences in social class. But that was something she could overcome. This betrayal, however, she refused to accept or condone.

“There is time to cancel the modiste. I can find work with Lars, my aunt’s son. Perhaps he can help me. We do not have to speak about this.” If they did, her heart would shatter, and she would not be able to stop her tears.

Her aunt stirred as Wren’s voice had risen, but she settled back with a soft snore escaping her lips.

Her aunt! Tears threatened to spill at the realization she’d have to break her wonderful aunt’s heart too. She’d spoken of little else than their upcoming move and constantly wondered about the kind of house they would live in. It had been the topic she’d hoped to talk with Grant about that day.

Grant took Wren’s hand and wouldn’t allow her to remove it as he said, “Lucinda and I were lovers. I have not attended any functions or events with her since the day I walked into the sitting room, and you saw me there. I am sorry she upset you.” Grant’s face was hard. “She had no right.”

Wren studied his face, trying to ascertain if he did speak the truth. “She gave me the impression your…er…assignation remains.”

A muscle on Grant’s jaw moved as he clenched it. “She lied. I give you my word. I cut all ties with her, and all the others, the moment I realized I only wished to be with you.”

Her breath caught in her throat. What was he inferring? “O-others?”

Grant raked his hand through his hair, his gaze moving to her aunt. “Yes, others. I must tell you the truth about myself, though you may refuse to marry me after. I don’t want to tell you, but I promised myself not to go into this union without being completely honest with you.”

He waited for her to say something, but Wren was at a loss. Too many questions whirled in her head that it made it impossible to formulate words. He seemed to realize this and continued, “Most everyone knows what kind of man I am. It is public knowledge that I benefit from… spending time with women. Mostly wealthy older women who are widowed or lonely. I served as a companion, giving them attention they no longer could receive because their husbands are gone or because they’re no longer considered desirable because of their age or…for whatever reason. I am not proud of what I’ve done. It caused a rift between my family and me, but, when I was asked to leave my home, I found it to be an easy way to have money and write, which is what I always wished to do. To write.”

“Were these women aware of the others?” Wren wasn’t sure why she asked that instead of other more pertinent questions. How could he do it? Was it something men in the upper level of society did? Surely it was frowned upon. After all, in the end, he was selling himself, was he not?