Farah smiled at her. “If you play quietly with the dolls while the ladies talk, we’ll play hide and seek before you go home.”
“Auntie Lauren gave me my doll. It’s at home with Daid, but I suppose I can play with your dolls too.” With that, Ava-Marie happily let Lauren guide her out of the dressing room.
Courtney shrugged at Farah’s exasperated sigh. “I forgot they were coming to visit this morning. My maid will help you dress, and I’ll order some food. Come to my sitting room when you’re ready.”
A half hour later, Lauren raised an eyebrow as Farah joined the ladies in the sitting room off Courtney’s bedchamber. “So this is where you’ve been hiding. Rockwell and your brother are frantic.”
“I know,” Farah sighed as she took a seat. “But I needed some time to think.”
As Ava-Marie continued to play on the floor with Courtney’s childhood dolls, the women discussed Farah’s situation in hushed tones.
“You can’t stay here forever,” Lauren pointed out. “Rockwell will find you. He’s like a man possessed.”
Courtney nodded in agreement. “Maybe you could stay with your aunt in the country?”
Farah shook her head. “Blackstone would look there first. I was thinking of going to Bath, actually.”
“Who do you know in Bath?” Courtney asked.
“No one. But a Mrs. James lives in Bath and she is selling a cottage near Clevedon on the coast. The staff she employs at the cottage wishes to stay. A maid, a cook and a groom. It’s well within my budget.”
The two other women shared a look. Lauren said, “But you’ll need a lawyer to ensure everything is in order.”
Farah nodded. “Mrs. James has recommended one.”
Another concerned look was shared. “You can’t trust a woman you don’t know.” Lauren shook her head and added, “This is all so rushed. I don’t think you are thinking clearly. What would Tiffany say?”
“I was hoping she would go with me and then we can assess Mrs. James and her offer.”
“But that is unfair. Asking her to help you puts her in a terrible position. Rockwell is her brother-in-law,” Courtney exclaimed.
“Besides, Tiffany would tell Wolf and he would get involved,” Lauren added.
“Well, I didn’t say my plan was perfect, but if you have a better idea on how I can live my life out from under my brother’scontrol and not end up married to a man I don’t want, then by all means let me know.”
This outburst of Farah’s was greeted by silence.
Finally, Courtney spoke up. “Perhaps it would solve a lot of problems if you simply married Lucien.”
Lauren gasped while Farah’s mouth dropped open.
Lauren turned to Courtney. “You don’t mean that. You can’t mean that. He’s your Lucien.”
Courtney shrugged. “The man who returned from Ireland is not my Lucien, and the way things are going, he never will be.”
“But he could be,” Lauren insisted.
“I’m not sure he even wants to try,” Courtney whispered.
“While that is a very kind offer, Courtney, I don’t want to marry Lucien. He’s not in love with me either. And you, of all people, having experienced love… How can you recommend marrying without it?”
“I told you why. Being alone for the rest of my life is something I know I no longer want.”
Lauren looked confused. “Did I miss something?”
Courtney tuned to her and said, “Before I knew Lucien had been found, I was considering marriage. In fact, I had thought about Mr. Axton Fancot, Valora’s brother.”
“But what about Lucien?” Lauren spluttered. “He’s home, and he needs a wife.”
