He opened the door and walked in.
“George, good to see you today.”
“Good day, Richard. I’ve brought the funds for the investment,” he said, withdrawing the packet of money from his jacket and placing it on the desk.
“Excellent. I’m meeting with my man of business tomorrow and will get this invested as soon as possible. The sooner we invest, hopefully, the sooner we’ll see returns.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate your help in this.” George noticed the stack of invitations on Richard’s desk. “I see thetonknows you and your lovely wife are back in Town.”
Richard nodded. “Yes. It only took a day or two before the invitations started to be sent around. Are you planning on attending any events in the next few weeks?”
“I don’t know. It seems rather soon.”
“Not at all. Everyone mourns at their own pace. It’s been over eight months; perhaps it’s time to rejoin Society, if only for a few events.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good. Now tell me, what has you so distracted this morning?”
Hutchinson sighed and ran his hand through his wavy hair. “I just ran into Miss Weston leaving your parlor.”
“Oh? I wasn’t aware she was here visiting. I’ve been tucked away in my study most of the morning. How was it? Awkward?”
“You could say that, but at least our initial meeting is out of the way. Now at least if I run into her at an event, it won’t be overly awkward.”
“George, I wish I could offer you some sage advice, but I don’t know how to fix the situation. If you follow your heart, you’ll endure the scorn of Society for choosing a woman whose father is in trade, and if you don’t pursue Miss Weston, I fear you’ll have a deeply hollow life without the woman you love by your side.”
“That’s it exactly, Richard. Damned if I do, damned if I don’t. It’s an impossible situation. I thoroughly regret not asking her to marry me earlier in the summer. Then there wouldn’t be a problem aside from the usual wagging tongues. If we’d married earlier, she would now be the Marchioness of Hutchinson and by my side every day.”
“I understand your misery. When I thought I’d missed my chance to marry Helena, my heart nearly shattered into a million pieces.”
“I understand the feeling,” George said.
“Care to go to Gentleman Jack’s to relieve some of that frustration?”
“Best idea I’ve heard all day,” George said.
Chapter 5
Lydia could scarcely breathe asshe rushed out of Evans House. The last person she’d ever expected to see was George— No, she couldn’t think of him in that familiar way anymore. He was Lord Hutchinson now, and she had to remember that, especially if she ran into him at anytonevents this Season. He looked so incredibly handsome with his dark wavy hair, those fathomless green eyes that she could drown in, and those broad shoulders. And his lips—she knew what those lips tasted like, although she knew she would never have the pleasure of kissing him again.
She thought she’d reconciled herself to the fact that he would have to secure a match with a suitable young woman now that he was a marquis. She knew she wasn’t marchioness material, but it hadn’t stopped her from daydreaming about the life she could have had with the man she loved.
She stood outside, taking in great gulps of air, trying to control her erratically beating heart. The mere sight of George had reminded her that she would never get over losing him. What a glorious life they would have enjoyed together. Owen saw her and brought the carriage around, then handed her up.
Control yourself. Don’t make a scene. He’s no longer yours and never will be, her inner voice repeated over and over again.
A few minutes later, the carriage door opened, and Ellie joined her. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Weston. I didn’t realize you’d finished with your visit.”
Lydia smoothed her face. She didn’t want anyone to see how upset she was. “Not to worry, Ellie. I’ve only just finished visiting with Lady Evans.”
“Such a lovely house, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I agree. Lady Evans has quite the eye for decorating.”
Owen flicked the reins, and the horses began to walk down the road.
Lydia leaned her head back against the squabs and closed her eyes. How had her life become so hollow? She knew how, but it didn’t make it any easier to bear. That awful day back in Bath, when George had been interrupted during his proposal, had nearly crushed her. Then he’d left so abruptly, and she couldn’t fathom what had been in the note that had been thrust into his hands. Only when she and her aunt returned to London a few weeks later did she learn the devastating news about his family. No wonder he’d left so quickly. What a horrific accident. Society had been abuzz for weeks with the Hutchinson family tragedy. Her heart had ached for him. More than anything, she’d wanted to comfort him, but she wasn’t family. She most likely would not have been admitted to the Hutchinson residence, especially as an unmarried lady and a commoner at that. So she’d had to try to move on and forget him.
