“My father has seen hisfortune.”
“Charlotte,” at her friend’s warning, she looked up and closed her mouth abruptly at the sight of the duke standing on the path before them. She was uncertain how he had managed to get ahead of them, considering she had left him speaking with Lavinia, and they had gone some distance from the group.
The duke’s expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed some concern for her. Sarah, in her infinite wisdom, stepped back a little, giving them some semblance of privacy as she went to stand a few paces away.
Charlotte approached the duke and curtsied to him, unsure what she would say, just knowing that she had never been so pleased to see anyone.
“Your Grace.”
As she looked up at him, the duke frowned. His hands were held carefully behind his back, but he took a small step toward her, keeping the distance between them quite proper but ensuring that Charlotte’s breath caught in her lungs all the same.
“I was uncertain as to your well-being. Are you quite well?” he inquired.
The worry in his eyes touched something deep within her. It had been so long since anyone except for Sarah had thought of her well-being or cared what she might feel or think. Her father ignored almost everything she said in favor of his own opinions, and to find such compassion in a man like the duke was humbling to say the least.
As she stood there in the dappled sunshine looking up at him, she was reminded of their first meeting by moonlight in the gardens. She recalled their conversation and the candid nature of everything she had said. Before the eyes of society were fully upon her, she had spoken to him in an unguarded and genuine way, and above all else, she wanted to return to that time and capture that honesty once more.
“I am a little overwrought,” she said softly. “Every day, I am faced with choices not of my making. I am sure you have seen how closely Lord Kilby has clung to me all day. My father’s wishes have overridden everything I might have wanted for myself. The pressures of my responsibilities so soon after returning to society is something I had not anticipated.”
As soon as she had spoken the words, she felt a measure of relief. The simple act of voicing her concerns lifted some of the weight from her shoulders, but she was not certain how the duke would receive her admission.
Colin’s hands twisted at his back as he forced himself not to reach for her. For the first time in her company, in the company of any woman, he had to stop himself from drawing her into his arms and holding her to take some of the pain away. Her eyeshad been heavy and tired all day. When he had first observed her, he had been shocked by her appearance, she seemed so pale and drawn—unlike herself.
He wished to see her smile again and was immeasurably pleased that she had confided in him. It was a brave thing to do and only showed her resilience and strength of character in more detail.
“I understand the burdens you face, Lady Wentworth,” he said earnestly, desperate for her to hear the sincerity in his voice. “My own burdens, though different, are just as heavy. My father’s legacy and the expectations of my title—none of it is easy to bear.”
“I can only imagine the pressures that exist in your life, too, your Grace,” she replied, her expression earnest. “I have found so much unexpected happiness in my return to society, and yet there are many things I do not relish. Everything that has happened seems to have been moving at a pace that is…”
“Too hasty?”
She sighed in relief. “Exactly. Everything in London seems to be done at pace. One does not have a moment to think.”
Colin smiled. “I heartily agree.”
Charlotte began to speak further on the subject, wishing she could tell him of her discoveries and the bond that had existed between her mother and his father, but as she moved to speak, she heard voices approaching from behind them.
Just like two bad coins, the Norwells showed themselves again, having contrived to walk in precisely the same direction as Charlotte. There was no question in Charlotte’s mind that they would have followed the duke here in order to curtail their conversation.
Lady Norwell and Lavinia emerged from an adjoining path, their eyes sharp and watchful. Lavinia’s gaze lingered on the duke before moving to Charlotte.
Usually, Charlotte would have expected to be able to discard or brush off the feelings of jealousy that swirled within her in the presence of Lavinia, but this time, there was something more too. That fragile thread she treasured with the duke had been strengthened in their moment together. Charlotte had felt in their honesty that their connection had deepened yet further, but as soon as Lavinia came in sight, it snapped like twine in the wind.
"Your Grace,” Lavinia said loudly, “I was just speaking with Mama, who mentioned something intriguing about Richmond Park. It seems there’s been talk of changes proposed for the grounds—a potential expansion, or so I hear."
The duke took a careful step back from Charlotte. "I had not heard of any plans. The grounds are already extensive."
"Yes, exactly so! Yet apparently, there are whispers about transforming certain areas to allow for more public gatherings, or perhaps even formal events, which would be quite a departure from its usual quiet charm."
Lavinia walked between them very deliberately, pulling the duke into her sphere of influence effortlessly. Charlotte wished that he would throw off the lady and come back and speak to her, but the duke was far too well-bred for that and turned his back on Charlotte completely, walking beside Lavinia away up the path.
"That seems… unusual,” the duke added. “I thought Richmond’s tranquility was precisely its appeal."
"Indeed! I thought you might feel as I do. With your appreciation for such places, I imagine you’d wish to ensure its beauty isn’t spoiled." Lavinia said obsequiously.
“Quite right!” came a voice behind Charlotte, and she turned, breaking into a wide smile as Elizabeth joined them. Lavinia and her mother stopped, turning to face them, rather irritated by the sudden interruption.
The duke, however, looked thrilled at his cousin’s arrival, and once again, Charlotte was reminded of the close relationship the two of them had as Elizabeth pointed in the opposite direction to the one Lavinia was leading him in.
