“You weren’t his mistress — you married him in good faith. He is the one who wronged you, he is the one who used you and threw you away without any regard or concern for your future.”
“We both know that, but gentlemen, alas, do not care that Charles lied to me when he wed me. They only see a woman who gave herself to a man who was not lawfully her husband, one who caused a scandal so great that it resulted in Charles being sent abroad, Papa disowning me, and poor Susanna ostracized and reviled by society for the mere fact that she was my sister. She went into a decline because of the scandal, Del. It’s my fault she died and left baby Thom to be brought up by her uncle Beauclerc.”
“It’s not your fault in the least, so stop martyring yourself. Besides, there is a simple solution to the problem: Don’t tell this man who you are. Were.”
Plum stared in surprise at her friend. “You want me to lie?”
“No, of course not, that would be sinful and wrong. I simply suggest that you not tell the man everything — until you’re wed. Then, after such time has passed as is needed for him to fall in love with you, you tell him the truth. By then it will be too late for him to do anything about it.”
“That’s rather callous,” Plum said, her fingers fretting the material of her gown. “After the experience with Charles, honesty is at the top of the list of qualities I seek in a husband. I will not again marry a man who has secrets from me.”
“Mmm, well I’m afraid that lets out every man in the British Isles who can still draw breath.” Cordelia paused for a moment, then asked, “You have a list of qualities you desire in a husband?”
“Yes, of course I do. Lists are excellent ways to become organized. I keep them for many things. Husbandly attributes are just one of the many lists I maintain—”
“What is on it?”
“On the husband list?” Cordelia nodded. Plum thought for a moment, then ticked items off on her fingers. “Honesty is the most important, as I mentioned. And a good nature is also necessary.”
“I should think so.”
“A sense of humor is a definite plus.”
“I agree completely.”
“Of course, he must want children.”
“Of course,” Cordelia said somberly. Plum slid a glance toward her to see whether or not she was being mocked. Cordelia’s face was all seriousness, although there was a glint in her dark gray eyes that made Plum suspect otherwise.
“Financial security is also necessary, although I will not be demanding regarding the amount, so long as he is able to provide a secure home for me, and for Thom as long as she is with us.”
“Mmm. More is better when it comes to items of a fiduciary nature.”
“And last of all, the man I wed must be very, very limber. Double-jointedness is preferred, although I would settle for a normally jointed man so long as he was fit and limber.”
Cordelia blinked. “Limber? Why ever should he be limb…oh! You mean for…in…when he and you…”
“Yes, exactly. I may not have much experience being a wife, but even I know that one must indulge in connubial calisthenics in order to get with child. And you must admit that when it comes to such things, it’s much easier to have a limber husband than one who is unable to perform even the simplest of calisthenics like Bull Elephant at Hadrian’s Wall.”
Cordelia opened her mouth as if she was going to speak, then evidently thought better of it, and shook her head instead.
“Although I have a number of qualities my prospective mate must meet, the first and foremost items are honesty and forthrightness in all things. After Charles, I just couldn’t tolerate anything less, and if I demand that in a spouse, I must provide the same. I will have to tell him about my past.”
“Yes, but Plum, you don’t really have that luxury, do you?”
The words, although softly spoken, carried a sting with them. Plum’s heart sank as she once again shouldered the burden she had cast off for a few hours of enjoyment of young Colin. “No, I don’t. To be truthful, my situation is worse than you know. The money from the last of my jewels ran out earlier this year. The lease on our cottage expires at the end of this month, and Sir Jasper has warned me that he cannot be as accommodating on the rates as he has been. Mrs. Feeny has told Mr. Feeny he is not to extend me any more credit until I pay what I owe them, and all other shops in town are following suit.”
“I will be happy to ask Mark for a sum to tide you over until the next draft arrives from your publisher—”
Plum shook her head before her friend could finish her sentence. “There won’t be any more drafts. The last one was for such a miniscule amount, I wrote to Mr. Belltoad. He informed me that the Guide, although extremely popular with members of the ton, had limited appeal to those of a lower class, who evidently feel the book to be more pornographic than a celebration of physical affection between spouses.”
“But surely there must be something you can do! Some employment you can find…”
Plum blinked back tears of self-pity. One of the first things she had learned was that tears never helped. “I’m a gentleman’s daughter, Del. My education has been limited to those things suitable to running a house hold and bearing children.”
“You could be a governess or a teacher.”
“With my reputation?”
Cordelia’s gaze dropped. “Oh, yes, I had forgotten that.”
“I can assure you that you are the only one who has.” Plum sighed. Sighing, like tears, did not do much good, but at least it made one feel better without leaving red eyes and a drippy nose.
“What about another book?” Cordelia looked up, her eyes bright. “You could write another Guide!”
“No, I couldn’t. Even if I had enough material for another Guide—which I don’t, my time with Charles having been limited to just six weeks — I’ve asked the publisher, and he says the lawsuits and attention from the government are not worth the profit. I’m afraid Vyvyan La Blue has no further literary career.”
“Oh.”
Plum’s shoulders drooped as she looked out over the small, but well-tended lawn of the vicarage. Bees buzzed happily in the roses and hyacinth, the air filled with the sounds and scents that Plum had come to love so much. If only she could stay tucked away in her safe little cottage until she had time to find a husband, the man who would seamlessly blend his life with hers. “I’m afraid all that stands between me and the poorhouse is the five shillings I have tucked away in an old glove, and the meager amount that Thom receives quarterly. I have been obliged to borrow from her, but even that is not enough to support us.”
“I had no idea things were as bad as that,” Cordelia said, her eyes full of sympathy. Plum turned away, unable to bear the look for long. “Well, then, you really do have no choice, you must marry, and marry immediately.”
“That is easier said than done.”
“Nonsense, you’ve had several suitors.”
“All of whom withdrew their suit once they knew of my history.”
Cordelia smiled. “Then the answer to your problem is clear: If you insist on telling the truth about your past, you must do so — but wait until after you are wed.”
Plum nibbled on her lip again. “It seems wrong—”
“Being married to a bounder who was already wed is wrong, Plum. You were innocent of any wrongdoing. Why punish yourself further for something that was not your fault? You must seize opportunity if it is presented to you, and worry about such minor things later. Besides, Charles is dead, God rest his soul even if he deserves to rot in whatever Italian ocean he drowned in. He can’t hurt you any more, so as long as you keep quiet about your past, no one else will bring it up.”
“It was the Mediterranean, somewhere off Greece, I believe.” It was tempting to do as Cordelia suggested, Plum admitted that much to herself. She had been so close to marrying before, but each time she had bared her past, the man in question had fled, not wanting her stain of shame to taint him. Perhaps if she could find a man who would be so obliging as to fall in love with her, perhaps he wouldn’t mind her past too much. Perhaps he would understand that she had been young and foolish, and had no experience with men to judge Charles for the heartless rake he was. Perhaps she could find a man who simply wanted a wife, a mother for his children, a companion, someone with whom to share the joys and sorrows of life. Plum thought of what her life held for her — poverty, loneliness, and the responsibility of seeing Thom happily settled — and decided that for once, she’d take the less honorable road. Her heart lightened at the decision, as if the burden she carried had dissolved. “Very well, I will send in my application, such as it is. If it turns out that he wishes to marry me…well, I’ll tell him just as soon as is possible. You’ll stand reference for me?”
“Of course.” Cordelia smiled again, and Plum felt her own lips curving in answer. “I will give you such a glowing recommendation, he would have to be mad to turn you down.”
A little giggle slipped out of Plum as she rose, brushing off her gown and collecting her bonnet and reticule. “Mad I could deal with, just so long as he’s kind and amiable, and willing to give me a child. Oh, drat, I forgot the new smithy!”
Cordelia walked beside her friend as they strolled toward the large, red-brick vicarage. “What new smithy? Oh, Mr. Snaffle. He is very virile looking, isn’t he, what with those huge arms and all that curly hair, and his very, very tight breeches.”
“Cordelia!” Plum said, trying to look shocked but afraid the laughter in her eyes was giving her away. “Such a vulgar and unseemly innuendo shocks my maiden’s ears.”
Cordelia laughed aloud as she paused at the gate. “A less maidenly woman I have never met.”