Page 4 of Kismet

It was true, her niece loved her, but she could easily lose that love if she tried to explain the lies of the past fifteen years. Falsehoods that had been difficult and expensive to maintain. And all of it paid for by some of the most prominent members of the Marlborough Set. Men who’d showered her with money and jewels in exchange for her company and the right to share her bed.

“I’m not convinced Cordelia will be as understanding as you think.” Allegra shook her head as she accepted the glass Isabelle offered and took a sip of the cool drink. “She’ll be hurt and angry. And she’ll feel betrayed. I understand far too well what that means.”

“Betrayed in what way, dearest? Do you really think not telling her the truth is betrayal? You protected her.” Isabelle stared at her with an expression of fierce affection and protectiveness. “Your mother betrayed you and Elizabeth. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Cordelia is a sensible girl. Her anger will be for what you and her mother went through—not because you kept the truth from her.”

“That may be true, but it’s too large a gamble for my peace of mind. I have no desire to involve Cordelia in a scandal. The last one was vile enough.”

“Ah yes, Lady Bledsoe has a strong predilection for vicious behavior, doesn’t she,” Isabelle said with a resigned sigh. “But if young Lord Bledsoe is of Arthur’s character he’ll stand by Cordelia regardless of what his aunt says.”

“Perhaps.” Allegra closed her eyes for a brief second. “It would have been so much easier if Cordelia had fallen in love with someone other than Lord Bledsoe.”

Somehow, she’d convinced herself that Cordelia would never need to know the truth. It had been a foolish assumption to make on her part. Allegra sighed. She couldn’t help who she was or where she’d come from, and her current lifestyle was infinitely preferable to working in a brothel. It had also given her niece the kind of life Allegra had never had.

Nor could she deny cherishing the independence she’d gained due to the generosity of the rich and powerful men she’d chosen as her lovers. And she had chosen them. Her selective decisions as to whom she allowed into her bedchamber had only enhanced her elusive image. It made men all the more eager to seek her favors.

Cordelia had no knowledge of what her aunt did to ensure that she received only the best money could buy. Nor did she have any idea as to her less than illustrious parentage. Telling the truth meant she might easily lose Cordelia’s love. But what other option did she have? The moment someone discovered their relation, a scandal would be inevitable. Of that, she had no doubt. Keeping the truth from her niece would only make matters worse in the end. She knew firsthand how devastating scandal was. Cordelia was unprepared for the malicious gossip, the vicious innuendos, and outright lies.

All of which would be exacerbated if Lady Bledsoe had any say in the matter. The scandal would be far more savage and poisonous than the last time. A shiver sped down her back. The storm she’d weathered at the time of Arthur’s death had been horrible, but she’d survived. This was a different type of tempest altogether, but it would be no less terrible, and quite likely worse.

Allegra took another swallow of her lemonade and met Isabelle’s sympathetic look with a sense of sardonic self-pity. “I suppose I could disappear into the desert for several months. Cordelia would have no choice but to marry without me being present.”

“What a splendid idea,” Isabelle exclaimed with sarcasm. “Simply ignore the problem and hope it goes away. Look what happened the last time you refused to face something.”

“I suppose you mean Charles.”

“Precisely.” Her friend sent her an abrupt nod of confirmation.

Isabelle was right. She’d disregarded all the signs that the Viscount Shaftsbury was becoming enamored with her. Her hope had been that he was merely infatuated. She’d been wrong. It had taken his offer of marriage to open her eyes. He was the first man who’d ever made her such a proposal, and for the briefest of moments, she’d actually considered accepting. The fleeting thought had been discarded at almost the same moment it occurred to her.

Still, rejecting him had not been an easy thing to do. There had been a part of her that liked the stability and companionship a marriage to Charles might bring her. But she didn’t love him, and even if she had, her independence would have been too high a price to pay for such a permanent arrangement. Up until Charles, she and her lovers had always parted on good terms. Many of them were still close friends. But ending her affair with Charles had been a disaster. The gossip had been particularly vicious, and even on occasion the public, and especially cruel denouncements, from Charles had cut deep. Even more painful had been the destruction of a friendship she’d valued dearly. She met her friend’s censorious gaze and sighed.

“You’re right. I have no other option except to tell her the truth. Although how I’ll do that, I’ve no idea.”

“Between us, we’ll develop a plan of action.” Isabelle patted her arm. “For the moment, I think you need some rest. You look fatigued, and your journey here must have been difficult enough without this matter about Cordelia weighing on you.”

“Surely I don’t look that exhausted.” She sent her friend an amused look.

“Of course not, but tonight we dine at the Sultan’s palace. Mulay Hassan is hosting a celebratory reception for Brant and me. It’s a tremendous honor.”

“Oh, Belle, I don’t know if I’m up to a lavish affair.”

“But you must come. The only women attending are wives of officers and attaches. They’re most likely to ignore me unless forced to acknowledge me. I’m afraid Brant has rather scandalized the Imperialists by marrying me.” Isabelle sniffed her disdain delicately. “I’ll be bored to distraction unless you’re there.”

Unable to help herself, Allegra laughed at her friend’s determined expression. Belle had always been adept at persuading people to do as she wanted, but there was a hint of loneliness in her plea. It reminded Allegra that her friend’s social circle was most likely limited given her social position. Even once she was married, Belle would have a difficult time being accepted into many circles.

“Very well, since it means that much to you, I’ll go.”

“Wonderful,” Belle exclaimed as she impulsively leaned forward to hug Allegra. “Who knows, perhaps you’ll meet a handsome sheikh tonight who’ll fall madly in love with you and whisk you off to his desert tent.”

“Good heavens, perish the thought.” Allegra shook her head sharply as her heart skipped a beat at the memory of a darkly robed Bedouin. “You know I’m far too strong-willed to submit to the edicts of a demanding sheikh.”

“Perhaps, but even you might find such a man exciting.” Springing to her feet, Belle gestured for Allegra to follow her. “Come, let me show you to your room.”

As she trailed after her friend, Allegra recalled the Bedouin she’d met earlier. He represented a danger she knew better than to long for, but there had been something about the man that tugged her thoughts to him. Would he be at the Sultan’s palace tonight?

Dismayed that she'd even consider such a question, Allegra frowned. What on earth would possess her to consider such a notion? She had no desire to be conquered, and the man would do precisely that. He would take what he wanted, and in the end he’d bend her to his will.

The prospect appalled and excited her in the same breath. Swallowing her fear, she fervently offered up a plea that she wouldn’t see her dark sheikh tonight or any other night. But even as she climbed the steps with Isabelle, a small voice in the back of her head begged for just the opposite.