“And it is good to meet the sister that I must impress. That is what I have been told, at least.”
“Actually,” Elizabeth giggled. “I said her opinion means a great deal to me. I would, of course, rather that she held you in high regard.”
“Then I will do all that I can to ensure it.”
He was, indeed, a charmer.
“Might we go for a walk about the grounds?” Elizabeth asked. “I was hoping to go for one last night, but we had no chaperone.”
Jackie felt heat rising in her cheeks; she had been alone with the duke not once but twice, and she could not in good faith tell her sister to do the same.
“If you wish,” she replied. “I shall be nearby.”
As they walked, Jackie truly saw how happy her sister was. In spite of the fact that Lord Greene had seemingly been wantingto speak to her, she spent the entirety of the walk listening to the animated chatter of two people in love. Upon hearing that Elizabeth was in love, she had almost wondered if it was one-sided, and Elizabeth only fancied herself in love. But as she listened to them, she knew that such an assumption couldn’t have been any more wrong.
They loved each other, as much as two people that were not married could, but more than that they clearlylikedeach other. They laughed together, playfully argued with one another, and kept a minimal distance at all times. It was no surprise that they required a chaperone.
And Jackie could not help but wish that she had what they had.
It was no concern of hers that she was sacrificing her future for her sister, as she would have done it no matter the circumstances, but even so she couldn’t help but wonder what she could have had if everything had been different.
She shook the thought from her head. It was not conducive to her happiness, which she was determined to hold onto if it killed her.
Suddenly, Lord Greene turned to Jackie, and she froze.
“He wishes to speak with you,” Elizabeth explained, and Lord Greene fell back and began to speak.
“I want you to know that my family are not pleased with the match,” he said before anything else. “I know it is not the best first topic of discussion, but I must tell you as much now.”
“That is perfectly fine. I can tell you myself that I was not completely happy about it when I first heard of it.”
“Lady Elizabeth has told me about that. She seemed to regret what happened a lot, and it appears that she still does.”
“I believe so.”
“I, on the other hand, am here against the wishes of my parents, so I suppose I am not too different from her.”
“Against their wishes? You are a grown man. Why can you not do as you please?”
“I am aware that I have more privileges than a lady, to be sure, but family responsibilities weigh heavily on every son set to inherit their father's title and wealth, and I am no exception to such a rule.”
“You and I have such responsibilities in common, that much is sure.”
“The issue is that my parents don't want me to marry a penniless woman whose father is a chronic gambler,” he said quickly before closing his mouth, eyes wide. “My apologies, I did not know how else to say it.”
“That is quite all right, I can imagine that I would have been the same if it were your family in such a predicament.”
“My parents came to hear about his bad habits, and now even though they like Elizabeth a good deal, they cannot see past your father. I need you to keep that to yourself, however. I do not want to tell Elizabeth, even though we tell each other everything, because it will only make her worry.”
“You like my sister a lot, don’t you?”
“I do, regardless of what my family thinks, and I shall find a way to marry her no matter what, but I do not think it is right to force you into an unwanted marriage just to get what I want. I suppose, in that case, I should say that I wouldalmostdo anything to marry her, rather than such brutish exclamations as no matter what.”
“I appreciate that. I assume that my sister told you all about my upcoming nuptials?”
“Yes, beyond my one secret we do not keep anything from one another. Not only that, but it has been tormenting her for some time now.”
“I know, which is why I am becoming more and more tempted to forgive her.”
