Coupled Betrayal

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

November 19, 1879

Lady Angelica turns three and twenty today, but she, like every year, chooses a private gathering with friends.

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Three months passed in a whirlwind, and summer came to a close. My father and his cohort were never found, and we suspected they left for America.

In that time, my mother managed to get a court meeting for her marriage annulment, and her possibilities of success seemed high.

But most importantly, my punishment ended a week early due to my many implorations, and I was free to go wherever I wished, with Emily as a chaperone, of course.

With September in its beginnings, I helped the housekeeper prepare a tea party for my birthday, as childish as it might sound, with Charlotte and a few other select friends. As a decade long tradition, all my friends always made sure to be free, even with illnesses and headaches. I also served everything but tea.

My mother insisted that I make it in the early afternoon.

"Why?"

"I know I don't look it, but I'm aging, dear, and I can't stay up as late. It would be much simpler to make it early.

Shrugging, I returned to my letters and addressed the event to be in the early afternoon. Perhaps, Claude could even come later on. Considering my lunch included only young ladies as myself, I decided to exclude him, as much as I wanted to spend time with him, for the sake of tradition.

Once I finished writing, I hunted down the footman and sent him off to deliver the letters. Nowadays, my footman and Claude's were used to the daily back and forth trips to mail letters.

The much anticipated day took forever to come, but I remained excited nonetheless. Especially because Claude would take me to the park later.

My birthday gathering finished much quicker than I expected, but I didn't really mind. For the rest of the hour, I sat next to the window, waiting to hear the hooves of his horses. He arrived at exactly five in the afternoon and I climbed onto his carriage eagerly with Emily behind me.

We arrived at the park and Emily trailed behind farther than usual, so I supposed my relentless begging paid off. This allowed Claude to hold me tighter, with the excuse of the bitter weather, despite my thick coat. We veered off the worn path and stepped on the longer grasses. Emily was soon out of view and we were out of hers.

"If my mother finds out, she will not be happy."

"She won't find out," Claude whispered, "don't worry."

"Why are we whispering?"

"It's quiet," he answered, his voice still low, "I wouldn't want to disrupt the nature of things."

The hidden place in the park truly was quiet. No one was around, at least not nearby, and the cicadas hummed a rhythmic tune. A large tree granted shade over ground that never got wet.

Due to how hidden the specific tree was, there were no benches, so we resorted to sitting on the ground. The green grass would soon stain my dress, but I could not care less.

It surprised me that Claude didn't give me an elaborate present. I was perfectly fine with simply enjoying his company, but I would be lying if I said I had not expected a gift.

We remained talking until the sky changed hues and the gas lights burned brightly.

Out of nowhere, he took my hand.