Unveiled. Part 10

"In what way?" When she didn't answer, he continued softly. "Fan, I've never asked you about your past. I know about the scandal, have heard the rumors, but would like to hear it from you. What was he like? Did you love him so much to leave everything? Why did you come back?"

Katie gulped. She had unwittingly opened Pandora's box, but there was no escape now. Christopher waited expectantly, and she knew she owed him an explanation. Yet how could she possibly continue this lie and tell him about a past she knew nothing of?

She couldn't, Katie decided. She would tell him the truth, but only about her own experience. Taking a deep breath, she answered quietly.

"I thought I did love him." Her eyes squeezed shut as she thought of John Sweeney, and fresh tears started as the pain began all over again. "I would have done anything for him. Surely you can understand that? He was the first man to make me feel that way, as if I really meant something to him."

"I see," Christopher said, his tone dry. "What happened then?"

"I was too young," Katie said softly, knowing that for the truth. "And I didn't really understand what love meant. When he, you know..." She couldn't bring herself to say it, and thankfully Christopher nodded. "I didn't feel anything. Not like last night. I thought that's the way it is supposed to be. Then he left me, and I realized he never loved me at all. He couldn't have. So I came home." She forced a smile, though there was a glistening of moisture in her eyes. "Fan Pemberton and the scandal."

Christopher said nothing, but saw the shame in her face. Reverently he picked up her hand and kissed it, then he looked directly at her.

"The man was a fool, Fan, a d.a.m.ned fool. What happened between us last night was wonderful, and nothing for you to be embarra.s.sed about. We have the rest of our lives together, and I intend to spend it making you happy. I can only do that if you let me. Do you trust me enough?"

Katie looked at him through her tears, past the charming facade that most people saw, to the urgent and compelling man beneath. She nodded, her fears evaporating. For some reason she did trust him. His smile returned and he pulled her into his arms. Katie sighed. It felt so good, so natural to be there that, wanton or not, she could no longer deny him.

"Come then. Show me that you mean it." His voice was warm and compelling.

Katie did.

TWELVE.

"Oh G.o.d, Christopher! Isn't it beautiful!"

Christopher smiled indulgently as Fan stood in awe at the sight of the brunch. It was true, the hotel was pretty, with the view of the ocean sparkling through the windows and dozens of white candles illuminating the soft linen tablecloths and crystal. And the food, fresh sea trout, eggs prepared with several interesting sauces, tea cakes and rolled sandwiches, coffee and sugared almonds, was well done and exceptionally served. Fan had attended dozens of brunches just like this one. Yet she brought a freshness to everything she did, as if it was the first time, and he thought it delightful.

Christopher grinned as he recalled Fan on her knees that morning in church, her hands quietly folded in prayer, a far cry from the woman she'd been in his arms. Her response had delighted him, for he knew it was real and honest, and his blood quickened as he realized that he could make her feel that way. And when she'd reciprocated, making love to him in the most intimate way possible for a woman to love a man, he thought he'd go out of his mind. Yes, he'd done exactly the right thing when he married Fan Pemberton. She was funny and witty, charming and mischievous, but best of all she was real, one of the few women in his acquaintance that he could truly say that about.

"There you are. Everyone is waiting. You looked beautiful yesterday, dear, and even prettier today." Aunt Eunice pressed a kiss on Katie's cheek, then gave her nephew a wink. "Well done, my boy. Seems we finally have made you respectable."

Christopher gave her a dry smile. "There was never any question in the matter. Now, if you don't mind, Aunt, my bride and I are starving."

Katie grinned as Christopher led the way, nodding to the Pembertons and the Scotts. She nearly giggled when they reached the table and he groaned in frustration.

"If it was up to them, we'd never eat. You'd think they'd have some pity-we've only been married a few hours. Don't look now, but here comes Margaret and the other girls."

Katie grimaced as Margaret approached. Bertrice saw her expression and with a subtlety that would have been unheard of a few months ago managed to distract her by indicating a torn hem. Katie melted into laughter as Margaret was forced to follow Bertrice into the outer room, where, apparently, the hem could be repaired.

"I can't believe the change in Bertrice," Katie commented happily at Christopher's quizzical glance. "Charles has been a grand influence on her. She's really come out of her sh.e.l.l."

"I'm glad, too. They seem to make a nice couple, and Charles really likes her. I think we may hear of another Cape May wedding soon."

Katie smiled. Nothing could have made her happier. Bertrice deserved a man like Charles. She was still beaming when she noticed Ella rise unsteadily, then pause as if unable to go on. The older woman stared about her in confusion, then took several deep breaths while clinging to the back of the chair. Her smile fading, Katie put down her napkin and immediately got up.

"I'll be right back," she whispered to Christopher, then walked across the room. She took Ella's hand and helped her to the door. "Are you all right?" Katie whispered softly.

Ella nodded, but Katie could see the strain in her eyes and a bluish tinge around her mouth. Her hands were cold, and when she glanced up at Kate, she looked afraid.

"I'll be fine," she said, but her voice quavered. "It's just the excitement. I think I need to rest for a while."

Katie nodded. "You overdid it yesterday. I wanted you to take it easy-"

"And not dance at your wedding?" Ella managed a smile, then grasped the chair once more. "You're right, I did too much. I have an odd pain in my arm. I just need to lie down."

One of the maids escorted Ella to the hotel sitting room while Katie watched, concerned. When she rejoined Christopher, she couldn't hide the way she was feeling.

"Is she all right?"

"I don't know," Katie said, suddenly very glad to have someone to share this with. "She doesn't look well."

"I'm sure it's just the excitement." He squeezed her hand rea.s.suringly. "If she continues to do poorly, I'll send for our personal physician in the city. He's very good."

Katie smiled gratefully. Christopher seemed to know exactly what to say to make her feel better. She turned to say good-bye to Bertrice and the other guests. When only the families remained, Eunice stood up.

"I'd like to make a toast to the bride and groom. May you have many days as happy as this one. Long life, long love to you both!"

Everyone clapped, then sipped champagne and orange juice. Katie blushed, embarra.s.sed by the attention, but her eyes met Christopher's. She felt a surge of emotion rush through her. He smiled, his eyes soft and full, as if sharing the feeling with her. Katie didn't think it was possible to be this happy. She broke away from his stare, aware of the sound of an altercation from the front part of the dining room.

"I'll not listen to anything! Take your hands off me When they hear what I have to say-"

"Madam, you can't go in there. It is a private party!"

"Really! Well, this is my party, and I'll go where I d.a.m.n please!"

"Madam!" The waiter rushed up and glanced apologetically at Christopher. "I'm sorry, but I tried to stop this woman. She insisted upon coming in."

"That's right!" The woman barged in, her face a mask of hatred. "Don't you understand, you fools! You've been duped! I'm Fan Pemberton!"

The only sound that followed was the clatter of Katie's fork as it fell to her plate. Time stood still as she stared in astonishment at the woman before her.

It was like looking at a mirror image. Fan Pemberton had the same glossy black hair, the same blue eyes, the same nose, the same freckles...even the same dimples. Katie swallowed hard, blinking, sure the apparition would vanish, but it did not. An eerie fear crept over her, a feeling that was reflected in the angry face that stared back at her. It was as if she were no longer an individual, no longer the only Katie. Good G.o.d, a perfect replica stood right before her.

Katie wanted to run, to hide, to get away from this woman who seemed as incredulous as she. But there was no escape. Already she could hear the buzz from the wedding guests as they, too, recovered, and the reality began to sink in. She couldn't even look at Christopher, but her heart pounded as she sensed his confusion.

"What the h.e.l.l's going on here?" he asked, glancing from one woman to the other in disbelief.

Grace Pemberton spoke first, corning forth from her table to examine the woman who had barged in. The two women eyed each other with an obvious lack of affection. In one cursory glance, Grace was satisfied and she turned to the others with a sarcastic tone.

"This is Fan." She spoke in a smug voice. "I told you she wasn't my daughter. This is the real Fan."

Bedlam broke out. The Pembertons' voices rose in an uproar as they demanded explanations and reprisals while the Scotts stared in dignified disbelief. Eunice stepped forward, still glaring at Fan as if she couldn't believe her eyes, then she turned toward Katie.

"Who are you?"

Some of the noise quieted as Katie struggled to answer. "I'm Kate. O'Connor. Katie O'Connor." She could hardly talk, her emotions were so intense.

Eunice glared at her. "Where did you come from? Have we ever seen-"

"No," Katie said quickly. "I live in the poor section of Philadelphia. I am a ladies' companion."

"My G.o.d." Eunice fanned herself with her napkin, looking as if she would faint. She glanced accusingly at Christopher. "Then that means you've married a pauper? She has no dowry, no money? That all our plans were for nothing?"

"Unfortunately, Miss O'Connor, or should I say, Mrs. Scott, is not from our circle," George Pemberton interrupted, wisely stepping between Eunice and the young couple. "But that should make little difference to you, Eunice, monetarily, at least. I think our biggest problem right now is what to do with two Fan Pembertons."

"You don't understand." Eunice wrenched her handkerchief and stared at her nephew. "Christopher, do you know what this means? We're ruined, absolutely ruined."

"Fan." Christopher turned to Katie, his eyes blazing. "You're coming with me. I'm getting to the bottom of this. Now."

Before Katie could say a word, Christopher hauled her toward the conservatory at the side of the hotel. Slamming the door behind him, he faced her with his hands on his hips, his breath slowing as if he was forcing his temper under control. His jaw was tight, and there was something besides anger in his expression that Katie couldn't immediately identify.

"I want to know the truth," he said quietly, his voice deadly. "All of it."

Katie nodded, fighting the tears that stung the back of her throat. She had known this day would come, that she couldn't get away with impersonating Fan forever, but somehow she didn't think it would be like this. Struggling to find the right words, she poured it all out quickly.

"My real name is Kate O'Connor. I'm not rich, I'm not from the Main Line, I live in the Irish ward with my family."

He stared at her, as if trying to make sense of what she was saying. She could see the disillusionment in his eyes. "The Irish ward...No wonder everything seemed so new to you-it was! If you're saying what I think you are, you've never been a part of this society." When Katie nodded, he continued in the same odd voice. "How did all this happen?"

Katie still couldn't bring herself to tell him everything, but she decided to tell him the main facts, especially those he could easily verify. "I applied for a position as a ladies' maid with Ella Pemberton this summer, and she mistook me for Fan. I tried to tell her the truth, but she just wouldn't listen."

"So you lied." He sounded incredulous. "You took advantage of a senile old woman and lived as Fan, never stopping to think what would happen to her if the truth came out. Why? Why did you do it? You were the one woman I'd thought was real and honest, yet you used Ella to gain entry into society.... My G.o.d, I don't even know you!"

"It wasn't like that!" Katie tried to take his hand, to make him listen, but he pulled away from her in disgust. "You can ask Eileen. I did try to tell her, but it was no use. It's true, I enjoyed acting as Fan. Is that so hard to understand?" Her voice choked. "Christopher, I had nothing. No money, no clothes, nothing but a lifetime of hard work. And here, like the leprechaun's pot of gold, I had everything given to me. More gowns than I could imagine. Plenty of food. A nice room. And best of all, I was admitted to a world that before I could only glimpse. Can you imagine what that was like?"

She could see a small bit of the anger leave him, but his eyes were still like ice. "That doesn't excuse what you did. Ella Pemberton didn't ask for this betrayal."

"That's not fair!" Katie wiped at her cheeks with her fists, hating the stinging tears that sprang to her eyes. "I never meant to hurt Ella. It was partially for her sake that I went along with everything. Christopher, you didn't see her. She was so thrilled to have Fan back, so happy. She told me that before I came, all she could think about was dying. How could I have told her that my existence was only a figment of her imagination?"

"You still could have told me the truth," Christopher said, his tone fierce. "I would have kept your secret. You married me, slept in my arms last night.... Was all that just part of the plan, too?"

"And what would have happened then?" Katie looked at him defiantly. "Are you saying that you would have still married me? Me, Katie O'Connor, who is a n.o.body?" She laughed bitterly. "I don't know everything about your world, but I've learned that much. There's no way you would have wanted me."

"I couldn't have married you." There was a strange tone in his voice and he looked at her with a mixture of rejection and longing. "No matter what I would have wanted, I couldn't have married you."

"Why?" Katie stared at him, her eyes wide with pain. "Because I wasn't good enough? Because my bloodlines weren't Fan Pemberton's, because my family doesn't own real estate? Tell me, dammit, I want to bear it from you."

"I couldn't have married you because I haven't any money!"

Katie's mouth opened in astonishment as Christopher dropped onto a garden bench, then sank his face into his hands. No money? Her mind whirled in a torrent of confusion. But he was Christopher Scott, of the Philadelphia Scotts, of the Main Line, whose family made their fortune in soaps and perfumes. What he'd just told her made absolutely no sense, but from his stricken posture, she knew he was saying what he believed to be the truth.

Katie suddenly recalled Eunice's words moments before when Fan had shown up. She'd said something very similar, about them being ruined, about a dowry....

"Christopher," Katie said softly. "What did Eunice mean? Why don't you have any money?"

Without lifting his face from his hands, he spoke quietly. "My family lost everything in the 1873 panic. We were heavily invested in railroad stocks, and if you know anything of what happened, they aren't worth the paper they were printed on. I was on the verge of losing everything. I tried to borrow, to gamble, but there was no hope. My only option was to marry for money."

"But the courtship, the dinners, the flowers..."

"We sold our paintings," Christopher said bluntly, looking directly at her for the first time. "Aunt Eunice auctioned off our collection of portraits. That provided enough money for the summer."

Katie couldn't believe what she was hearing. "So you thought that Fan Pemberton, with her soiled past, would have welcomed you, and you would have the money you needed. It was all perfect, wasn't it?"

"Yes, G.o.ddammit!" Christopher rose to his feet and glared at her. He seemed as angry with himself as with her. "I didn't want to do this! And I didn't choose Fan until I got here. Until I met you. I thought I was so d.a.m.ned lucky, that I found a woman that I wanted as well as one who had money. But I didn't count on being deceived! I'm married to you, and I suddenly realize that I know nothing about you-"

"And what of you?" Katie cried, fighting the pain that threatened to humiliate her. "You lied, too! You let me think you were rich, that you hadn't a care in the world! Well, it seems Christopher Scott had a few little secrets, too!"

"Enough!" Christopher bellowed. "I can't hear any more of this! I need to think about it and decide what I want to do. And I suggest you do the same." He looked at her as if she was beneath contempt. "Now, if you don't mind, I prefer that you leave. I don't want to go back to the hotel room and be reminded of last night. I'm sure it won't bother you."

Katie turned on her heel and left, letting the sobs overwhelm her. He wanted to think about it; she knew what that meant. He was contemplating divorce.

And there was nothing she could do to stop him.

"...and I can't believe you were all taken in by this...this imposter! Why, she doesn't look anything like me! Didn't anyone think to check her credentials? My G.o.d, any tramp off the street could walk in here and you would take her into your bosoms without so much as a fare-thee-well!"

"Oh, Fan, shut up." Grace plunked down into a seat and stared at her daughter. Fan returned the petulant look, but stopped her tirade long enough to shove several rich cakes into her mouth. "You know," Grace said tiredly, watching her daughter with distaste, "you've created a bit of a problem, though I doubt that overly concerns you. Fan Pemberton now stands to have two scandals. I don't think the society papers will forgive that."

Fan's mouth dropped and she quickly reached for a gla.s.s of wine to wash down the cakes. "I can't believe this." She wiped her lips with her sleeve and glared at her mother. "I come back after all this time to find myself replaced by some-what did she say she was? A ladies' companion. She's slept in my room at Aunt Ella's, been introduced everywhere as me, married with my name, and all you can care about is the scandal?"

"It is a consideration," George Pemberton broke in while the others nodded in agreement. "It is a problem not just for us, but for the Scotts." He glanced sympathetically at Eunice, who still stared at the real Fan Pemberton in confusion. "It's not that we aren't concerned about you, Fan. And of course, we're all happy you're home. But we have to be careful how we handle things. Many a publicity rag would love this story, and there are others who would take advantage of our dilemma and use it against us. I, for one, have too many business deals pending with society's elite to risk involvement in any more scandals."

"And I'm trying to get into the Wissahickon Club," Stephen Pemberton remarked. "There is a lot of compet.i.tion for membership. If word leaks out..."

"Everyone has a lot at stake. We do, after all, have two Fan Pembertons. We can't let that continue."

"You're d.a.m.ned right!" Fan said bluntly, seating herself beside George with an outraged glare. "That tramp has enjoyed herself enough! There's no way this farce will continue!"

"The other question is, how do we tell Ella?" The murmurs in the room died as George glanced suggestively toward the door where the matriarch had exited. "G.o.d only knows what this will do to her. We all know how attached she's become to the girl."

"That's ridiculous!" Fan snapped. "I'm back! Ella will be happy when she discovers the truth!"

Everyone's eyes went to Fan. The traveling garment she wore, still stained from the trip, was a garish and cheap yellow-and-black-striped affair with black lace at her face and throat. Black kohl lined her eyes, and the suggestion of rouge tinged her cheeks. She boldly tapped a fan against the side of the table, heedless of her crossed legs or exposed ankles.

Everyone's eyes met, and there wasn't the slightest disagreement that Ella would not be pleased to see that the real Fan was back. Katie O'Connor may not have had breeding or money, but she had been kind to the older woman, and had been a friend. Moreover, she was a lady, which Fan for all the privileges she had enjoyed, was not.

"By the way, Fan, no one has had the opportunity to ask you yet just why you came back." Grace's voice was thick with insinuation as she eyed her daughter thoughtfully. "I understood you had found true love."

Fan flushed, then returned her mother's stare with a look that wasn't exactly kind. "Things didn't work out, that's all. I thought it best to come home."

"I see." Grace nodded, obviously seeing a lot more. "So out of the goodness of your heart, and your suddenly remembered familial duty, you rushed back-"