Chapter 20 — Richard

Richard took a shower. The hot water massaging his broad shoulders. He could still see Tess lying on the massage table, her face turning from stressed to a complete state of relaxation. He thought about what life would be like with Tess. From the moment she had stepped into the limousine when they picked her up, he had pretended she was already his.

His thoughts ran rampant. If only, if only. He was ready to give up all the money that had come with the marriage to Stephanie. He wanted to be rid of Stephanie for good: her foul moods, her scandalous folly with Thomas—making a fool of him. 

Richard was not a man who lived in the past or future. The time to move was now. He knew with all certainty his actions would cause a scandal, but he was undaunted. The very touch of Tess’s hand had left him wanting more. She had unknowingly fanned the flames of desire at the dinner party. Although there had been an immediate attraction, she had fooled him. It never occurred to him that Tess was a virgin. 

Richard might have felt guilty for orchestrating the trip to bring Tess into the family had he not wanted her so much. The group effort had not happened by accident. 

Richard’s mind flashed back to the day he’d been courageous enough to tell his family he wanted to divorce Stephanie.

After Stephanie’s psychiatrist had suggested that Richard and Stephanie separate, Daniel had called a family meeting in the drawing-room. It was a bleak, overcast day that fit his mood. Daniel looked haggard as he stood before them, still in the black suit he had worn to work that day. He’d taken off his red tie and unbuttoned two buttons of his white shirt. He wiped away the sweat from his brow, even though it wasn’t warm. 

“I’m sorry to tell you that Stephanie’s psychiatrist recommends a separation,” he blurted. “He feels it’s imperative for her mental and emotional health. She’s not getting any better, and says the marriage stresses her.”

Richard stood looking out the window at the rain, his hands hanging at his sides in tight fists. “I don’t want a separation. I want a divorce,” he said, his carefully crafted demeanor crumbling. “I’m in a relationship that’s on a downward spiral. I grow wearier each day. She’s gone more than she is at home. Whether Stephanie is cursed or delusional, I can’t deal with it; the screaming in the middle of the night and talking out of her head to invisible people; Raven and the black ribbons; in and out of trances; Owl at the window peering in. It’s all too much. I want a normal life. I thought I could help her, but I can’t. I feel like a dead man walking.”

“Coopers don’t quit when the going gets tough, son,” Parker said with a scowl. “Divorce is out of the question. There’s never been a divorce in the Stratford or Cooper family.” He paused and said, “We can’t have a scandal. It must be a separation.”

“Either way, there’s gossip.” Marguerite’s southern drawl intensified. It happened when she was nervous. “I knew it would come to this. There’s a rumor going around town that Stephanie’s back with Thomas Shrock. They say he’s found a sorceress who is fighting a battle with a wizard to break the curse.”

Richard looked like a beaten man. “That’s rubbish. A wizard? A curse? Thomas is feeding her delusions. That’s why she isn’t getting better. She’s my wife in name only; she’s never stopped seeing Thomas.” Richard looked pained. “I once loved her. I did all I could do. But I can’t do it anymore. Stephanie has worn me down.”

“Can’t you see my son is suffering,” Marsha said the doting mother forever. “Stephanie hasn’t shown any warmth to Richard for months. It’s unhealthy for both of them.”

“What about a mistress?” Daniel asked. “Could you be happy with a companion and lover? It’s the old English way to avoid scandal. Alexander Hamilton hired his friend’s wife to be his mistress. It’s all documented.”

Richard’s jaw twitched. “Who do you have in mind?”

“Tess McKinnon would be my choice,” Daniel said. “I love Sawyer, but the fact of the matter is that I believe he’s a bit of a rogue. After I witnessed his behavior at Tess’s dinner, I’m questioning his intentions to her. She has no family; she’d be all alone without Sawyer. Besides, she’ll probably end it with Sawyer after she finds out he’s an accused murderer.” He paused and glanced at Richard. “You must not move forward with Tess until it’s over with Sawyer. It would be callous.”

“We’ll take Tess to New York,” Marguerite said. “It will be a test to see how she fits into the family. And if Tess doesn’t know about Sawyer’s shady past, we have to tell her.”

Parker passed around tumblers of whiskey. They lifted their glasses. “We stand united for the good of our children,” he said. They swallowed the whiskey. It burned. Everyone’s eyes glistened except for Richard.

Richard’s failed marriage had left him wanting a woman of passion whose desire matched his. Tess’s fiery spirit made him believe that she was his match. All was fair in love and war. Whether it was callus or not to lure Tess away from Sawyer on the trip to New York was of no mind to him. Richard didn’t always play fair. He would do whatever he had to do to win. And he would win Tess.

The two families believed their plan couldn’t fail. But then again, they didn’t know Tess McKinnon.