In that one night, they formed a friendship that strengthened over time. He’d vowed to accept Alice as his own, and they’d agreed to try for an heir shortly after. Their lovemaking was more about fulfilling their duty than passion. Still, Lisbeth had grown to adore Nicholas.
They’d both promised that their children would never be forced to be with someone they didn’t choose. Nicholas had loved his Margaret until the very end. A sad memory sparked her mind.
*
Lisbeth smiled atNicholas as she entered his study at the Lusby Country Estate. “Are you ready for our daily walk, husband?”
He groaned. “I was hoping it would rain.”
She laughed. “No such luck. You will have to explore the fields with me.”
Over the last few years, they’d begun to search the grounds for any artifacts from the past. They’d found a few things here and there. Lisbeth had a whole room filled with antiquities from around the world. One section was a case with only items they’d discovered on the grounds of the ducal estate.
“We will have to see what we can add to your collection,” he mused.
Nicholas stood and walked towards her but stopped midway. He grasped his chest. Recently, their doctor had been to see him frequently because of fainting spells. They suspected it was his heart but hadn’t been overly concerned. Alarm filled her that they’d been wrong. “Nicholas, what is the matter?”
He shook his head and collapsed. Lisbeth rushed to him, rolling him onto his back. His eyes were unfocused, and she hollered, “Send for the doctor.”
His state filled her with fear, but shocking her, he smiled and reached up to stroke her cheek. “Be happy.”
Tears dripped down her cheeks. “Please don’t leave us.”
Nicholas closed his eyes, smiling slightly, and murmured, “Margaret, my love.”
Lisbeth screamed for the doctor again.
*
She wiped ather watery eyes, hating that she was remembering such a tragic time. It gave her peace to know that his last thought was one of happiness and his lost love. Nicholas had once suggested that she write to Thomas and tell him the truth, but she’d been terrified at the thought. Thomas would hate her. She knew it. Did that make her a coward? Thomas’s mother knew, and that secret also hung over her head.
Lisbeth had run into Louise Easton during an outing once, and the woman had taken one look at Alice and instantly recognized her familial connection to her and Thomas. She’d called on Lisbeth, asking to know her granddaughter. Lisbeth had been apprehensive to agree. It was Nicholas who encouraged it. Over time, Louise became a close family friend who doted on both Alice and Jeremy.
She shook her head, regretful that she hadn’t told Thomas the whole truth. She’d been a coward. Lisbeth wondered if she should write to him. She would speak with Louise about it. Lisbeth was yanked from her thoughts when Rose Calvert rushed down her terrace steps into the garden.
She appeared worried and also very duchess-like. She wore an elegant emerald gown, and a lady’s maid had somehowsecured her unruly hair into a sleek bun. Thomas had told the truth. Rose had married the Duke of Sinclair in Syria only a week before Lisbeth’s arrival.
Grinning, she stood and curtsied, loving that it would annoy her friend. Rose sighed. “Don’t do that. I am being curtsied to death. How do you tolerate so much bowing? I detest it.”
Lisbeth laughed and hugged her friend. “It is good to see you, and congratulations to you and Sinclair. You are perfectly suited.”
Rose snorted. “We love each other. Still, mismatched, but we’ve both decided we don’t care as long as we have each other.”
Seeing her friend in such a blissful state was an incredible sight. However, Rose frowned at her intently. It seemed as if she was examining her for something. Lisbeth lifted a brow.
“How was it with Thomas? He wasn’t too difficult, was he? I honestly didn’t believe Lord Harston would provide us with the map so soon.”
It was heaven and heartbreak all over again, Lisbeth thought, but she only smiled reassuringly at Rose. “It was fine. There were some uncomfortable parts, but I think we both found closure.”
Rose seemed skeptical, but Lisbeth squeezed one of her hands. “Truly.”
“Your missive said you have the tablets,” Rose said, her voice filled with excitement.
Lisbeth nodded. “They’d been delivered to the research room at Seely House.”
Her friend clasped her hands together. “I can’t believe we have the entire epic.”
“I think this should cement our place at the Great Exhibition.”
