Free The Bride's Secret by Cheryl Bolen Page B

“Am I not escorting you properly?”
    She squeezed his hand and looked down at him, her face lifting into a smile. “You're doing wonderfully. I am, indeed, the luckiest woman in the room.”
    The smile stayed on her face. Despite her ruin and despite that the respectable people in the room likely scorned her, Carlotta believed what she had just told her son. Oddly, showing Stevie off to all of Bath filled her with the most glorious sensation, a sweeping pride like she had never before known.
    As she and Stevie were taking their leave of the Pump Room, Carlotta's eyes met those of Miss Arbuckle, a most worthy young woman of gentle birth, and Carlotta nodded to her.
    A wide smile brightened the plain Miss Arbuckle's face. “This must be your little boy!” Miss Arbuckle said, walking up the them. “I'd almost forgotten you were a mother.”
    “Allow me to make you known to my son,” Carlotta said with pride before she made the introductions.
    “I declare,” Miss Arbuckle said, looking at Stevie, “everyone is talking about what a fine boy you have there.”
    “I'm most blessed,” Carlotta said in a low voice, her smile reaching her eyes as she took and held the hand of the generous Miss Arbuckle.
    Of course Miss Arbuckle, being a maiden, had not heard of Carlotta's shame. Nevertheless, the young woman was virtuous and kind. “It's so very thoughtful of you to take notice of my little lamb,” Carlotta said, beaming down at her son. “And it has been a pleasure seeing you again.”
    Her hand still in Carlotta's, Miss Arbuckle said, “You must call on us. It's been a great while since we've had a chat. I do hope you are better now. You look your former radiant self.”
    “You're much too kind,” Carlotta answered in a soft voice, her lashes sweeping downward.
    “And bring your boy. Mama's always had a preference for lads, which I daresay is a good thing, given that she had four sons and only one daughter.”
    “Please extend to your mother my wishes for good health,” Carlotta said as she and Stevie left the chamber.
    Carlotta felt feather light. She burst with pride over her beautiful child. She'd just conversed with a most respectable lady. The sun had broken through the clouds. All in all, 'twas a lovely day to be alive. And she owed all this pleasure to one small boy.
    “You've been such a good escort,” she said to Stevie, “I'm going to take you to the sweet shop and allow you to buy a comfit.”
    He, quite literally, smiled from ear to ear.
    * * *
    That Sunday she took Stevie to services at Bath Cathedral. Ever since she had allowed herself to be Gregory Blankenship's whore, she had quit going to church.
    For the lad's sake, she had to start back.
    He behaved well, appearing to listen to the priest. Even though the ceremony was tediously long, Stevie did not get too fidgety.
    When they left the cathedral, she was prepared to receive the cut direct, but several persons of her acquaintance actually nodded at her. She smiled back and even managed to introduce some of the matrons to her son.
    She began to feel less ashamed. Perhaps not all of Bath knew that she was ruined. After all, Gregory was not one to brag about his sexual conquests. He was, first and foremost, a gentleman. And, secondly, he had no need to ever boast. Women making fools of themselves over him was an everyday occurrence. Had been since he discarded leading strings.
    Her thoughts flitted to the day he had told her he was marrying Glee Pembroke. It was as if he were cutting Carlotta's heart from her chest. Why not me ? Carlotta had asked in anguish. He had mumbled something about it not being a real marriage—that he was only marrying Glee in order to receive his inheritance, that he wanted to keep Carlotta for his mistress.
    At that moment Carlotta's disgust with herself pinnacled. For that is when she finally came to the realization she was nothing more than a whore.
    Carlotta had known Gregory had at last fallen in love when his