Page 54 of An Accidental Elopement

“I see you know what I am speaking of. Well, do we have a deal? I have no interest in divulging my secrets only to have you refuse afterward.”

Cecilia bit her lip and considered the other woman’s suggestion.

“The duchess... Millie can never know. Not that I do not like her. I am already very fond of her, but...”

“She is your mother-in-law,” Lady Lindley stated in a voice that managed to be both neutral and knowing.

Cecilia gave her a small smile and nodded.

“I promise that I will never tell Millie or anyone else for that matter.”

Cecilia thought for another moment. It seemed impossible that the other woman might offer advice that she could use, yet she had no idea how to heave herself from the mess that her marriage and thus her life had become.

“Fine,” she muttered and held out her gloved her. Lady Lindley looked at it for a moment, then grinned and shook it.

“Well, do you know the pamphlet ‘A Guide of Marital Relations for the New Bride’?” she asked conspiratorially.

Cecilia nodded and fought not to blush.

“I wrote it,” the other woman practically beamed.

Cecilia looked stunned at her for a moment.

“You?” she finally asked, since it seemed Lady Lindley was waiting for her to speak.

Lady Lindley nodded proudly.

“Have you read it? Did you find it informative?” she asked curiously.

Cecilia refused to answer this but thought about the implications of what Lady Lindley had told her. Despite Lady Lindley being a scandalous character, she was right that if it became public knowledge that she was the author behind the pamphlet, it might very well destroy all the good-will that Edwina’s marriage to Henry had given the family.

“That is indeed... a salacious secret,” she murmured as she was already thinking of how she could formulate her own issue.

“I think I might just be expecting too much from my husband,” she muttered since this seemed both true and diplomatic enough at the same time.

“You can call him Archie while we speak. There is no need to keep to formalities. How exactly are you expecting too much from him?” Lady Lindley leaned forward a little. Her brazenness was gone now and there was an almost professional, yet compassionate air around her, if it was even possible. Sort of like a doctor, Cecilia supposed.

Cecilia bit her lower lip. Her chest felt tight with the words she wished to confide yet was not certain she dared voice. After she had been silent for what seemed like minutes, she looked up to find Lady Lindley’s warm eyes on her. The woman was simply offering her the chance to say whatever she wanted, whereas everyone else would have filled the silence long ago.

“I want him to love me,” she finally whispered and squirmed in her seat.

“Of course, you do,” Lady Lindley stated softly and took hold of her hand. They were both wearing gloves, but the touch was still comforting. “What makes you believe that he does not?”

Cecilia stared bewildered at her for a moment.

“I assume you know his reputation, Lady Lindley, and I mean... look at him. He is probably the most handsome man I have ever seen. And so charming... and I am just me,” she stumbled on the words towards the end, making her sound almost as if she was choking on them.

“Yes, you are you. But we do not love people because they are handsome or charming. That is merely what might attract us to them in the first place. Not what makes us fall in love with them.”

Cecilia looked away from the other woman as she contemplated this. Yes, Archie was more than this. So much more.

“Are you in love with him?” Lady Lindley asked gently.

Cecilia took a deep breath before answering.

“I believe so,” she whispered.

“Why?”