Chapter Eleven
Percy returned home, his heart heavy and aching. Georgiana had been so adamant that he not try to see her again. He’d longed to convince her otherwise.
Miriam screeched from the parlor. “Get out and leave me alone!”
What was going on? He rushed toward the open doorway but stopped when he heard another voice.
“I can’t believe what you’ve done!”
It was Amelia. He took another step closer.
“I’ve done nothing,” said Miriam.
“Mother Croome, please don’t continue with this. You’re going to hurt him.”
“I’m doing nothing of the sort, Amelia.”
“Please don’t do this. If you don’t tell him, I’ll—”
Percy edged closer but nearly stumbled and caught himself as he grabbed a nearby small table.
“Is that him? My love? Have you returned?” Miriam’s voice increased in volume with each word.
Percy sighed. Might as well get it done with. He’d not be able to sneak past the doorway now. He turned the corner and entered the room. Amelia stood, her hands fisted at her sides. Miriam was on her usual perch on the settee, a scowl on her face.
“Finally you’ve come back.” Miriam’s mouth transformed into something resembling a smile and she reached out her hand. “Come and see me, my darling.”
Percy’s quick glance at Amelia showed a ridge of muscle along her jaws where she clenched them together.
“Yes, I’ve come back.” Not wishing to sit anywhere near her, Percy took the chair opposite, reminded as soon as he sat down that Georgiana had refused to sit with him.
Miriam glared at Amelia. “I think it’s time you leave now.”
“But—”
“Leave, or I might have to have words with Conrad, telling him you’ve aggravated my condition. How do you think he would respond to that, hmm?”
Amelia tapped her boot on the carpet. “Very well. For now. But this isn’t finished.” She stomped out of the parlor and slammed the door.
Percy winced. Not only had the door closing been loud, but now he was stuck in the room with her. Alone.
Miriam slumped against the arm of the settee. “Oh, I was so worried when I didn’t know where you were. You mustn’t cause me such pain.” She raised her hand to her forehead and moaned.
Fresh waves of guilt poured over him. Against the physician’s wishes, Percy had left the house, left Miriam, and now she was in pain. What if his attempt to make things right with Georgiana had pushed Miriam over the edge? What if her condition worsened?
Or she died?
Much as he loathed her, didn’t want anything to do with her, he couldn’t do that. He might never recover from the guilt.
“Please, come closer.”
Percy gripped the arm of the chair, not wanting the leave the safety of being a few feet away from her.
“I beg of you. I… I’m not feeling well.” Miriam laid her head down on the settee arm and pulled her legs up on the other cushion.
He closed his eyes briefly and then took a slow breath, hoping to relieve the pressure building in his chest. How was he to get out of this predicament? With slow movements like those of a man walking to the guillotine, Percy stood and edged closer.
Miriam wiggled her fingers in invitation to take her hand. Percy did, trying not to think about actually touching her. If he imagined it was Georgiana, would it make it any easier?
Since she was lying down now, he had to either bend over in an uncomfortable position to hold her hand or kneel down.
Fifty-one-year-old knees weren’t made for standing in awkward positions, so kneeling it would have to be.
Once in place, he took her hand, closing his fingers over it, but not too tightly as to convey any enjoyment.
“I’m so relived you’ve returned to me. I’d started to despair you might have left me. For good.” A tear traveled down her cheek.
How was he to comfort her so her condition wouldn’t worsen but not appear to have feelings for her?
“I’m in need of an embrace, my darling. Would you mind?” She held out her arms.
Oh no, not that! After the way she’d tried to seduce him earlier, he had no wish to go through it again.
Another tear joined the first and she sniffed. “Please. I beg of you…”
His stomach clenched. Why did guilt have to be such a strong emotion? “Very well.” He leaned forward, ready to accept a light embrace.
“I knew it! I knew you still loved me!” She tugged him close.
He could barely breathe. “Please, Miriam, I can’t—”
She pressed a kiss to his cheek, and he recoiled. With the same surprising strength she’d shown earlier in the day, Miriam grabbed his head on each side and turned him so he was looking directly at her. She pressed her lips to his. He tried to think of something else. Anything else! But when her slimy tongue snaked its way into his mouth, he nearly jumped.
“Oh Percy, you’ve made me so happy.”
Why did this have to be happening?
Wait…
He leaned back and grabbed her arms, holding her still. “What did you just say?”
Her gaze didn’t quite meet his. “You’ve made me so… happy.”
“No.” He sat back on his heels. “You addressed me as Percy.”
She shook her head. “No. you’re mistaken.”
He stood. “I know my own name, madam.”
She sat up quickly. “Why are you calling me that? Come back and let’s—”
He held out his hand as if warding off something evil. But perhaps he was. “You know who I am. Who I really am?”
“I don’t… that is—”
A brisk knock on the door preceded Amelia and Conrad. Amelia glanced from Miriam to Percy. “Forgive our intrusion, but we heard shouting. Is everything…” She eyed her mother-in-law and then looked at Percy, her eyebrows raised in question.
Percy stepped toward the couple and safely away from Miriam. “Your mother just addressed me by my name. My real name.”
“What?” Conrad widened his eyes. “Mother! Is this true?”
She forced out a huff. “I’m admitting nothing.”
Amelia grabbed her husband’s arm. “Conrad, it’s true. I’d guessed what she was up to and confronted her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you were having such feelings of guilt about it all. That perhaps—” Amelia glanced at Miriam and shook her head. “But you needn’t feel bad any longer. As you can see, your mother appears to be quite healthy.”
Percy switched his attention to Miriam. It was true? She sat up straight, pressed a wrinkle from her dress, and then reached up to smooth a wayward lock of hair from her eyes. She seemed to care about her appearance. When she’d been ill, pretended to be ill, she’d appeared to not care about anything except her discomfort. And keeping Percy near.
“Has this been a farce all along, then?” Percy clenched his hands at his sides, longing to pummel the woman.
Miriam stood, her face transforming from the teary-eyed lovelorn woman into a scowling harridan. “All right. It’s true.”
Shock rolled through Percy. “But the physician. He said if I left, you might not recover. Had you fooled him too?”
With a shrug, Miriam waved a hand. “I simply paid him enough and he went along.”
“But why? Why would you do this? I barely know you. Was it only for your amusement? Have I done something to offend you in some way that you felt you needed to punish me?”
She took a step closer, reached out her hand, and then lowered it again. “It was…” She glared at Conrad and Amelia as if wanting them to leave.
Percy shook his head. “They aren’t going anywhere. I’ll not be alone with you again.”
“Fine. If I must say the words in front of my son, so be it.”
Percy crossed his arms and waited.
“When I saw you at your family’s picnic, I was… intri
gued.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
Miriam bit her lip and had the decency to blush but didn’t answer.
“If I may be so bold?” Amelia stepped forward. At Percy’s nod she continued. “It seems Mother Croome saw you, desired you, and came up with a way to… have you.”
Conrad gasped and clasped his hand over his mouth.
Percy, suddenly unsteady, plopped into the same chair he’d occupied before. Feeling deflated, he slumped down. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“No,” said Amelia. “You would have been had she succeeded. Now, though, you are free to pursue the woman you really want.”
Miriam stomped her foot. “That awful Lady Ollerton? She’s worthless.”
Percy jumped up, rage suddenly giving him strength. “You will not speak of her that way. Ever. I happen to love her.” He pointed at Miriam his hand shaking. “And if your scheme has ruined my chances with her, may God help you, because I’ll—”
Conrad took his mother by the hand. “No need, Percy. I’m taking Mother home. This instant.”