“Alicia and I have been involved for years, as our separate lives allowed,” Mr. Oliver explained, to Alicia’s obvious dismay. “I joined The King’s Theatre as impresario last spring, and when she returned to London, we met again. I told her that I was becoming an English man, that my home was here, and that we could marry if she wanted.” He frowned. “But she refused, saying she would not be satisfied as the wife of a theatre manager.”
“That is—” Alicia broke off, struggling to get a grip on the situation. “You are lying, Vincenzo.”
“No, I am speaking the truth at last.” Mr. Oliver turned toward Anna and Philip. “The argument that was witnessed… That was the day Alicia told me about her condition. I was heartbroken and afraid, and I retracted my offer of marriage to spite her. That day is a black stain on my life. This is how I will make amends.”
George rose from his seat, clasping his hands together as if in prayer. “You will marry Alicia?”
“If she will accept me as her husband, then yes, I will marry her.”
Silence fell over the room.
Anna doubted Alicia had expected an offer of marriage when she had arrived that day. It stood to reason that she had rejected Mr. Oliver at first. It was just like Alicia to let her ambition get in the way of her happiness. The best she could hope was to be married to the father of her child.
But when Alicia looked up from the floor, her face was contorted in anger.
George spoke before she could, stepping between her and Mr. Oliver. He took her hands pleadingly, lowering his voice to pacify her.
“Before you do anything rash, consider not only your future but also the future of your child. There will be no better life for him than to be raised jointly by his mother and father.” He glanced back at Mr. Oliver. “Whatever happened between you can be forgotten if not forgiven. You obviously tolerated one another enough to conduct an affair for years. Not everyone gets a second chance, Alicia. Please do what is right for you.”
A hand found Anna’s where it hung at her side. Philip squeezed it and nodded, reassuring her in the silence that followed.
No matter what, his eyes said,I am going to honor my second chance with you too.
“It seems I have been outplayed,” Alicia bit out, punctuating her words with a nod. “But I will not languish over my defeat. I accept your offer, Vincenzo. I will marry you. So long as none of us ever speak of this again.”
* * *
“I couldn’t have hoped for that to go any better,” Anna said, walking back inside the manor ahead of Philip. “Finally, we can be at peace.”
“Assuming your uncle accepts Mr. Oliver as his son-in-law,” Philip replied.
“When he discovers Alicia’s condition, I doubt he will have a choice. If not, I wouldn’t put it past them to elope somewhere far away. In fact, the further away she goes, the happier I will be.” Anna paused as they entered the hallway leading back to the drawing room. “Does that make me cruel?”
Philip shook his head.
Anna was many things: a devoted wife, an excellent friend, a worryingly talented manipulator, but never cruel. He had seen many facets of her over the past few days. He liked waking up beside her the most, when she was quiet and drowsy, talking about her dreams.
“Not everything in life can be forgiven,” Philip said. “A few cross words between lovers is one thing, but abusing the trust of someone who loves and worships you is quite another.”
“Hmm…” Anna clasped her hands behind her back, swaying playfully as she approached him. “Does that mean I shouldn’t forgive you for lying to me about Wellington’s offer?”
“I did not lie,” Philip corrected with a smile.
Her mirth was infectious. He was glad George had left with Alicia and Mr. Oliver, so he didn’t have to witness Philip’s boyish affection for his cousin.
“I was waiting for the appropriate time to…” He paused, thinking back on what she had just said. Or all but said.
That she loved him.
“What is it?” Anna asked.
Philip wasn’t sure what to say, or how to feel. Elated, mostly. But also terrified about what that meant.
“I hadn’t known you?—”
He was interrupted by the sound of a door opening nearby. Anna’s friends filed one by one into the corridor, filling the narrow space with squeals and questions. They had arrived the night prior to support Anna against Alicia, and were quickly outstaying their welcome. But Philip would tolerate them so long as Anna was happy.
He cleared his throat, embarrassed but thankful for the interruption.
