He grabbed her hand and held it. “Rose and my mother have allowed me to think of it differently. I’m still angry, but I understand why you did it.”
Lisbeth could still remember how hopeless she felt when she left him in Tuscany and then found out she was pregnant. “I didn’t have many options.”
“I know, and I hate that I couldn’t fix that for you.”
She looked at him. “We were so young and full of big dreams. My decision wasn’t a choice; it was a necessity.”
He ran his hand along her back, comforting her. Lisbeth wanted to lean into him. She was so tired.
“Give me a chance.”
She straightened and stepped away. “You’ve barely been here.”
“We deserve a real opportunity to make our marriage work. I can’t change that I forced you to wed me. I’m ashamed that I did that, especially because of what happened with your first marriage. I’ve been sitting here thinking about that. I’ve done the same thing that your father and Justin asked of you.”
Guilt covered his face. He had. They’d both hurt each other so much. She just didn’t see them coming back from it.
“Give me a month. You can stay for your club’s event, and if you decide after that we won’t still work, then we can figure out how to separate.”
She bit her lip, and he added, “There is a love so deep between us, and maybe you are right that it doesn’t mean we should be together, but shouldn’t we at least try?”
Lisbeth did love Thomas. She always had. Eventually, she said, “A month, and that is it.”
He smiled. “A month to learn about you, Alice, and Jeremy.”
“Also, a month to see if you can truly forgive me for not telling you about our daughter.”
Pain slashed across his face. He didn’t debate the point with her but said, “Agreed. I think I will get some rest so I can start fresh tomorrow.”
She nodded. “I will stay down here for a little longer.”
Lisbeth watched him leave and then sat down on the sofa again. Could they weather all of this? She was scared to have hope, but it was trying desperately to flare within her.
*
Thomas sat inthe garden with Lisbeth. He was nervous. She wanted them to tell Alice and Jeremy, together, that they were staying in London. The children burst out of the terrace doors, and the governess closed them, waiting inside. Lisbeth had asked Miss Ashby to give them some privacy.
Jeremy’s face lit up when he saw Thomas. Alice stumbled to a stop and glared at him. Thomas wondered if one’s heart could truly shatter. He reminded himself that they all needed time. Still, he’d missed so much of his daughter’s life. Jeremy skipped towards him. “Hello, Mr. Easton.”
He smiled. “Please call me Thomas.”
Alice slowly made her way to them. Thomas studied her. While she had his hair coloring and eyes, he saw so much of Lisbeth’s personality in her. Lisbeth was defiant and rambunctious as a child. He often speculated that he’d been allowed to play with her because her parents hoped it would tire her out.
Lisbeth pointed to the seats for Alice and Jeremy to join them. “I have great news. We are staying at least until after the Historical Society for Female Curators event on the epic.”
Jeremy grinned and continued to stare adoringly at Thomas. He liked the boy. Actually, he liked both the children, even if Alice wasn’t sure of him.
“Aren’t you excited, Alice?” Lisbeth asked.
She shrugged. Thomas said, “I would like to learn more about both of you. Your mother explained you both have an interest in history.”
Jeremy nodded. “I want to be an explorer like you.”
He smiled. “Perhaps someday we can go on an adventure together.”
Alice glared at him. “You will never be my father.”
Thomas had rationally understood that this would be painful, but not how much. He gulped, as if he couldn’t speak.
