He shrugged. “Something like that.”
“Have you ever heard of the Arabic tale about the Majnun and—”
Thomas groaned. “Yes, I’ve heard the story.”
Matthison grinned and held up his hands. “Ignore me. I didn’t know it was a sensitive subject.”
“You are not the first to bring it up to me,” he complained.
“Will you go see her right away?”
Thomas wasn’t sure what he would do. Part of him thought it was better to enter Lisbeth’s life slowly, but he also wanted to arrive at her doorstep and confess all his feelings. They weremature adults, both being in their early thirties. Dramatics may not be the best course of action. Still, wasn’t one supposed to put on a big show when they found love? He wasn’t sure about anything, to be honest. “I don’t know.”
“You need a grand gesture,” Matthison said.
He smirked. “Are you a love expert now? You’ve not mentioned that at all on our voyage.”
“Hell no. I’m good without the affliction you are suffering from.”
Thomas laughed. A man approached their table clutching a serial. It was the fifth one since they’d entered the pub. “Mr. Easton, would you sign this for me?”
Chapter Fourteen
Lisbeth stepped outof the carriage and took a deep breath. She’d been to this townhouse so many times over the last decade, and suddenly, she felt nervous. Did Louise know? She would be ecstatic that Thomas was returning. Lisbeth didn’t fault her. A part of her was as well, but the rest was terrified.
She walked to the entrance, and the housekeeper opened the door at the same time. Mrs. Donnelly gasped and curtsied. “Your Grace, you gave me a fright.”
“I’m sorry. I decided to call upon Louise today. Is she in?”
Mrs. Donnelly nodded. “I will lead you to her.”
Lisbeth shook her head, glancing at the basket in the housekeeper’s hand. “It isn’t necessary. You seem busy.”
The woman smiled at her gratefully. “She is in the drawing room.”
“Thank you,” Lisbeth said and stepped back, allowing Mrs. Donnelly to pass.
The housekeeper smiled, and she saw herself in. Her stomach clenched, but she wandered down the hallway. It wasn’t lost on her how comfortable she was in this place. Louise looked up as she entered the drawing room. A smile split across her face. “I had a feeling I would see you.”
Lisbeth plopped down into a wingback chair. Formality didn’t exist between them. They’d become friends so long ago. Louise, Nicholas, and her brother, Justin, were the only ones who knew her secret.
“I should have told him,” Lisbeth confessed.
Thomas’s mother sighed. “I agree, but I understand why you didn’t. He will be upset with you and me.”
Lisbeth twisted at her skirts, and Louise rose, moving to the sideboard and pouring them both a brandy. “You were forced to make a difficult choice, and it only became more complicated by your pregnancy with Alice.”
Lisbeth took a sip, enjoying the burn of the liquid flowing down her throat. Louise settled back in her seat. She silently sipped her drink but eventually said, “Maybe this is an opportunity for you to start anew.”
Her heart pounded at the thought. She looked away, sensing that Louise could read the emotions flashing across her face. She wouldn’t dare to believe it. Lisbeth had kept too many secrets from Thomas.
Louise insisted, “Look at me.”
She did, and the older woman said, “You aren’t a man, Lisbeth, and because of that, there were very few choices you had. You made the only one you could. My son will be hurt, but he will understand. He knows what it is like to be born into a certain lot in life.”
“I haven’t even told Alice yet. Nicholas and I both agreed someday we would tell her, but I thought it would be when she was much older.”
Louise insisted, “Tell Thomas right away.”
