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Sophie glanced away from her and shook her head. “Not in that way, Elizabeth.”
The serious tone of Sophie’s voice made Elizabeth say, “Oh?”
Sophie shook her head again. “I cannot be sure but I feel there is something dreadfully wrong. This man will upset your entire life. I fear he will bring you great pain.”
Great pain? “How do you mean?”
“Oh, how I wish my visions were clearer.” Sophie looked back at Elizabeth. “This man comes with children. Many children.”
The duke. Elizabeth’s shoulders sagged. She’d heard the stories that Edward had numerous children and stepchildren. Obviously, he was on his way here. Once he arrived with all those children, she would have to find other accommodations.
“Elizabeth?”
“It must be the new duke, Sophie.” Elizabeth pulled her hand out of Sophie’s grasp. “Do you have any ide
a when he will arrive?”
Sophie shrugged. “I really have no way of knowing. With Jennette, it was that very evening. However, with Avis, I knew in advance. My visions don’t give me schedules.”
“I understand.”
“You don’t think he would ask you to leave here, do you?”
Elizabeth waited while the footman brought in the tea and cakes on an ornate silver tray. After he left, she poured tea for them both and then rested back against the sofa.
“I don’t believe I ever met Edward, the new duke. My father never had a pleasant thing to say about the man. Then again, he rarely had a good thing to say about anyone.”
“You know my home is always open to you,” Sophie commented. “My aunt would say that it lends credence to our social position to install a duke’s daughter in our home.”
Elizabeth blew on her tea before taking a sip. “Thank you, Sophie. I am praying it won’t come to that.”
She needed time to perform a meticulous inspection of the remaining rooms. It shouldn’t take too long, a few days at most. Then she would be happy to leave the house to the duke. Not that she had any ideas on how she would survive. She only had a small allowance to live on, and despised the idea of being a burden on anyone.
“What will you do if he asks you to leave?” Sophie asked quietly before sipping her tea.
Elizabeth sighed. “I suppose I could find work.”
“Elizabeth, you shall do no such thing.”
“I won’t be a burden, Sophie.”
“You have some income from your father.”
Elizabeth shook her head slightly. “It’s not enough to survive on my own.”
“You cannot even think about working. It is beneath you,” Sophie said with a nod.
“Not any longer,” she answered. “Besides, I have quite a talent for gardening. Perhaps I can find work taking care of someone’s flowers.”
“True. But do you think anyone would hire a woman gardener?”
“Perhaps not,” Elizabeth said flatly. “I suppose there is always a governess position.”
“Yes. But the lady of the house might be suspicious that the daughter of a duke needs to look for work. She might even believe her husband is installing you as his new mistress.”
Elizabeth slammed down her teacup. The hot liquid spilled over the edge, just missing her fingers. “Then what am I to do?”
“Marry?”
