TABITHA HAD NO SOONERaccepted her morning coffee from Allison, than Louisa whisked herself into the room, fully dressed, and sat on the edge of the bed for a gossip.
“So,” she said cozily.“You and the duke.”
To her annoyance, Tabitha felt herself blushing like a debutante with her first admirer.She lifted the cup to her mouth giving herself time.Apart from the arrival of Cousin Ralph and the disapproving Hazlett, yesterday had been rather wonderful and she wanted to hug it to herself, not contaminate it with the opinions of others, even her friends.
Louisa said encouragingly, “I like him.There is something very charming about him.And as for his smile...I would almost leave Peter for that smile.”
Tabitha smiled.“No, you wouldn’t.”
“No.But he certainly isn’t the jest everyone expected him to be, is he?He might not fit the mould of the fashionable Corinthian, but that mixture of shyness and wit is really rather devastating, especially with those looks.And he is not remotely haughty once one knows him.”
“No,” Tabitha agreed.Although there was nothing shy about his kisses.There had been another of those last night at parting—secret, silent and utterly seductive.On top of the day spent in his company, learning so much more about him, it had led her to a terrifying conclusion.
She had caught glimpses of his appallingly joyless, lonely past, his current, wide-ranging thoughts, his almost miraculous sense of humour, his basic, decent kindness...And she was lost.She loved him.
What the devil was she to do about that?
“Will you marry him?”Louisa asked.
The cup seemed to jerk in Tabitha’s hold and coffee sloshed into the saucer.“Of course not,” she said crossly.“I am not cut out for marriage.”
“You are not cut out for marriage with a particularly nasty old man.Who is?”
“I have learned my lesson and will remain happily widowed.His grace deserves a lovely, unsullied young girl.”
“Like Lily?”Louisa said provocatively.
Tabitha scowled.“No.Lily is not ready for marriage.”
“Don’t break his heart, my dear,” Louisa said, rising to her feet.“I had better be off—much to do today with the ball this evening!”
She bustled away, leaving Tabitha staring into her coffee.
“Don’t break his heart.”She could already feel the shattering of her own.And yet she had barely known him a fortnight.
What do I do?How do I make it right?
God help her, she didn’t even know whatwasright anymore.
Making him happy.If anyone deserved happiness, fun, joy in his life, surely it was Jack.
Could those things possibly be with her?
Or should she walk away before she caused any more pain?She had the lowering feeling it had to be one or the other.
All or nothing.
