“I’m well, my lady, and you?”
He saw Helena look at her husband. “Did you tell him, darling?”
Evans shook his head. “No. We were discussing some estate matters.”
“Well then, I shall share our happy news. We will be welcoming a new addition in the fall.”
Hutchinson slapped Evans on the back. “Congratulations to you both! Such happy news indeed.”
Helena smiled. “Thank you, George. We’re both thrilled.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Come,” Evans said.
Wright opened the door and announced dinner.
Hutchinson held out his arm to Helena. “My dear Helena, allow me to escort you to dinner.”
“Thank you, George. I’d be delighted.”
After spending a pleasant evening with Richard and Helena, Hutchinson made his way home. There’d been such love in Evans House this evening, and he didn’t want to begrudge his dearest friends their happiness, but it made him realize how empty his life had become. He was grateful that Helena hadn’t asked him about Lydia because what could he say? She was no longer suitable to be his wife? That was absurd, in his opinion, but Society had other thoughts about a peer marrying a commoner.
The house was quiet when he got home. When he reached the sanctuary of his bedchamber, he went to his writing desk and pulled out a piece of foolscap. He picked up his quill and began to write.
My dearest Lydia,
I saw Richard and Helena this evening, and it made me realize how much I want the happy life they have. A happy and loving life with you, my darling. I would move mountains to be with you if I could. The pain of losing you haunts me every day. Why did I wait so long to declare my love? It was so foolish of me, and I regret losing the opportunity to make you my wife last summer. My deep and abiding love for you has never wavered, although I don’t expect you to sit around and pine for me. You deserve a full, rich life with a loving husband and children. I know you’ll be such a wonderful mother.
I wish you much happiness in whatever direction your life takes.
Your loving servant,
George
As with all the other letters he’d written to Lydia over the past months, he sanded it, folded it, and put it in the desk drawer, which he locked. Somehow, pouring out his thoughts and feelings to Lydia in letters made him feel a little better. They were no substitute for the lovely lady herself, but he knew sharing his life with her would never happen now. These letters had become the only way he could feel close to her.
He wanted to rail against the gods, against the injustice of the situation. Fate had dealt him a cruel blow, and he had to learn to live without the one person who understood and loved him fully. Perhaps it was time to put his battered and bruised heart behind a lock and throw away the key so he could move on and choose a wife, as his mother had instructed him to.
It was the last thing he wanted to do.
Chapter 4
Three days later, Lydia wasin the morning room when there was a knock on the door.
“Come.”
“A letter has arrived for you, Miss Weston,” the butler said.
“Thank you, Prescott.” Lydia took the letter and broke the seal, grinning widely when she read the contents.
Dearest Lydia,
I’m so pleased to inform you that we’ve come to London for the Season. I’d love to see you at your earliest convenience.
Your friend,
Helena
