Free Desperate Measures (Regency Undone) by Claire Firth Page B

it difficult imagining Guy in such a guise.  He was always so sombre, appearing cynical and mistrustful.  More so even than her.  Had there been a time when he was not like that?  She found she was interested to find out. 
    ‘You say he used to be happier and more carefree?  But I take it that was before the ending of his marriage which must surely have come as a great disappointment to him?’
    ‘ It was.  Guy has withdrawn from everyone since it happene d – even his own son whom I know he adores.  Twas a huge dent to his pride as much as anything else.  In his eyes, divorce brings shame to our name.  And he is quite right of course, it does.’ 
    ‘ But maybe his heart was broken too?  To lose one’s wife to another man …’
    ‘ I don’t think my brother has a heart, and if he does, it was never truly given to Charlotte.’  Claudia hesitated.  ‘I should probably not speak of this, I know, but no-one else will and I think it only right that you should be aware of certain circumstances surrounding my brother’s previous marriage.’
    She cast a quick glance round to ensure that Guy and Lionel were still some distance behind them, then said in a quieter voice.  ‘Charlotte was a beautiful but silly and pampered ninny-head who had no more thought in her head other than that she wanted to be a Duchess. I believe she was no innocent when she married my brother, and set a deliberate trap to ensnare him.  Sadly, despite the fact he was a mature man of five and twenty years and should have known better, she succeeded.’
    ‘ What happened?’
    ‘ Oh nothing so very terrible but the consequences for someone like Guy were always going to mean marriage.  They attended a Ball in London.  It had been clear for some time that Charlotte and her Mama had set their caps at Guy; indeed I used to tease Guy about it mercilessly at the time.  That night, Charlotte convinced Guy that she was overly warm and needed some fresh air.  I had watched her flirting with him all evening - not just smiling and fluttering her eyes behind a fan as most women do; she was more direct than that.’  She lowered her voice to a shocked whisper.  ‘I have never told Guy this, but do you know, I actually saw her press herself quite shamelessly against his lower body when she thought no one else was looking?  And then stroke him with her hand?  I ask you…’ Claudia rolled her eyes.  ‘What man is not going to respond to that?  The next thing I saw them slipping out onto the terrace.’  She sighed.  ‘Guy was a fool as I’m sure he has acknowledged to himself many times since.  A few minutes later, Charlotte’s brother supposedly caught them in an act of indiscretion in the gardens - rumour has it that one of her breasts was completely exposed!  Guy had no choice but to ask for her hand after that.  And he lived to rue the day, believe you me.  I could have told him that such a hussy would never stay faithful to one man.  Indeed I tried to talk him out of marrying her.  But he would have none of it.  He had damaged her reputation and he would do the honourable thing.’
    Just as h e had with her, Isabelle thought somewhat sadly.  It seemed that Guy’s sense of honour was doomed to condemn him to a life of regrets.
    ‘ Come ladies,’ Lionel’s voice boomed from directly behind them as he shuffled a clumsy arm around his wife.  ‘I think we have frozen ourselves quite enough to satisfy your mother, my dear.’
     
    Dinner that night was a lively affair.  Isabelle could not help but like her new sister in law, with her quick wit and warm, generous manner.  She was forced to acknowledge that Lionel was something of a buffoon of a character however, and did not appear to have two serious sentences to string together.  But his affection for his wife seemed genuine and she clearly enjoyed ruling the roost in their marriage, so in the strangest of ways it seemed to work. 
    When dinner was finished and the