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“There must be someone you might have an interest in,” Richard continued.
Elizabeth felt heat scorch her cheeks. “No, there is no one.”
Richard returned to his seat next to Caroline. He had a terrible feeling about Elizabeth.
“Well?” Caroline asked.
“We cannot discuss it here.”
“Then we shall depart now,” Caroline commanded.
“Of course.”
They slipped out of their seats and waited impatiently for their carriage to be brought around. As soon as he sat down across from her, the interrogation began.
“What happened?”
“Elizabeth was standing outside the box against the wall with her hands on her stomach.”
“Why?” Caroline asked.
“She said she needed air because of all the young men in the booth seeking an introduction to the duke’s sisters.”
Caroline tilted her head and then nodded. “Well, that makes sense. Those boxes are a bit confining.”
“Yes,” Richard drawled.
“But you don’t believe her?” Caroline’s brows drew downward forming a crease in her forehead.
“I cannot say why, but I think there is more going on here than she is admitting.”
“You can’t mean…”
Richard nodded. “She looked pale and had her hand on her stomach.”
“It’s impossible. He’s only been here a fortnight.” Caroline paused and bit her lip. “She wouldn’t even know for certain by now.”
“Maybe she doesn’t know. Maybe she doesn’t even suspect yet.”
“We can’t let this happen,” Caroline said. “I think there is only one option.”
Richard shook his head. He hated this idea more than any other idea she’d ever fabricated. “I think we should wait.”
“Oh? Until she is fat with child and a ring already on her finger?” Caroline glared at him. “This has to end now.”
“Caroline, this isn’t right.”
Caroline laughed in a shrill tone. “This isn’t right? But allowing that upstart colonial to become duke is?”
“We both know that is out of our control.”
“Out of our control?” she almost shrieked. “You and the duke’s relatives were twins. For all we know, your relative could have been mistaken for the younger son and you could be the rightful heir.”
Richard shook his head. She would never give up until she became duchess, or one of her children became duke. He doubted that she car
ed one bit for how he felt about any of this.
“Caroline, the twins were marked so there could be no mistake.”
