“She has as much right to live as anyone else,” she said. “She has as much right to make her own decisions, to explore her world, to dream of her future, and to work to bring those dreams true. I am not at all sure school is the right thing for her, Lord Attingsborough. But it may very well be the best thing under the circumstances.”
The circumstances being that Sonia was dead and he was about to marry Portia Hunt and there would be very little place for his daughter in his life.
“What if she does not want to go?” he asked.
“Then her wishes must be respected and some other option found,” she said. “This is my condition, you see—if, that is, you approve my plan. Lizzie must agree to it too. And if at the end of the summer I decide to offer her a place at my school, then Lizzie must be the one to accept or reject it. That is always my condition. I have told you that before.”
He rubbed his hands over his face and sat up.
“You must think me a very sorry creature, Miss Martin,” he said.
“No,” she said. “Merely a concerned and loving father.”
“I do not alwaysfeellike one,” he said. “I have seriously considered taking her to America with me and setting up a new life there. I could be with her all the time. We would both be happy.”
She did not reply, and he felt foolish. He hadthoughtof taking Lizzie to America, it was true, but he had always known that he would not actually do it—that hecouldnot. He would be Duke of Anburey one day, and many lives would be dependent upon him and many duties incumbent on him.
The notion of freedom of choice was often an illusion.
And then a thought struck him and he was surprised it had not occurred to him sooner.
“But I will be close by,” he said, lifting his head and turning to look at her. “I am going to be at Alvesley Park for the Earl and Countess of Redfield’s anniversary. Alvesley is only a few miles from Lindsey Hall. Did you know that?”
“Yes, I did,” she said. “I also knew of the party because Susanna and Peter are going there. I had not realized you were to be there too, though.”
“I will be able to see Lizzie,” he said. “I will be able to spend time with her.”
“Yes, if you wish,” she said, looking steadily back at him.
“If I wish?”
“Your family and friends may wonder at your interest in a mere charity girl from my school,” she said.
“Acharitygirl?” He frowned. “I will pay double your fee, Miss Martin, if Lizzie is willing to go to your school and is likely to be happy there.”
“I told the duchess that the girl I may take with me is a charity case recommended by Mr. Hatchard,” she said. “I take it you do not wish the truth to be known?”
He stared at her in some anger before turning his head away and closing his eyes. His mother and father, Wilma, Kit’s family, Bewcastle’s family—all would be offended if they discovered that his daughter was at Lindsey Hall while he was at nearby Alvesley. Not to mention Portia Hunt. Gentlemen just did not expose their illegitimate offspring to their very legitimate families and acquaintances.
“And so I must behave as if I am ashamed of the most precious person in my life?” he asked.
It was, of course, a rhetorical question. She did not answer it.
“I will see her there and spend time with her, regardless,” he added. “Yes, it is agreed, then, Miss Martin. Lizzie will go to Lindsey Hall—if she will say yes, of course, and you and she and Miss Thompson will decide among you whether she will then go on to school in Bath.”
“You arenot,you know,” she said, “agreeing to her execution, Lord Attingsborough.”
He turned his head to look at her again and laughed softly but without humor.
“You must understand,” he said, “that my heart is breaking.”
Too late he heard the sentimental hyperbole of his words and wondered if they could possibly be true.
“I do,” she said. “Now, I must meet Lizzie again. I must have a talk with her and see if I can persuade her to come to Lindsey Hall to spend a few weeks of the summer with some other girls and me. I do not know for certain how she will answer, but I believe there is more to your daughter than you have been willing to recognize, Lord Attingsborough. You have been blinded by love.”
“A nice irony, that,” he said. “Tomorrow, then? In the afternoon? At the same time as usual?”
“Very well,” she said. “And I will, if I may, bring the dog with me. He is a friendly little thing, and she may like him.”
