And as she went to bed, Margot could not help but smile. Just the thought that things might change, that happiness might find her, was enough that she slept soundly and peacefully in a way she had not for longer than she could remember.
Twenty-One
“Iwould not have taken you for a romantic,” Sebastian chuckled as he took a sip of brandy.
“Oh?” Lord Livingston remarked as he took a sip himself. “And why is that?”
“A bachelor like you,” Sebastian offered. “Might I ask how old you are?”
Lord Livingston laughed. “Not as old as I might look. But you are correct to be wary. And believe me when I tell you that you are not the first to think such things of me. But alas, romance is in my blood, and there it remains.”
“Might I ask why you have remained single all this time?”
“I thought I was here to discuss business,” Lord Livingston quipped. “Not tales of my less-than-happy pursuit of wedded bliss.”
“I am sorry…” Sebastian grimaced. “I just find myself in a bit of a situation.” He scoffed. “And I suppose I was hoping to mine your experiences for some advice. Forget I asked.”
“No, no, it is fine,” Lord Livingston assured him. “Care to tell me your concern? That way, I will know how to shape my own story.”
“Definitely not,” Sebastian laughed. “All you need to know is that I am married, it is not what I expected, and I have yet to decide what is to be done. Or rather, if it is worth doing anything.”
“Ah, yes…” He winked. “A common situation experienced by men of our class. A marriage forced upon us, fought against, only to realize that these things are generally for life. To live apart or find common ground and hope something akin to happiness is born from it?”
“Something like that.”
Lord Livingston shrugged. “I cannot speak to your own experience, nor do I intend to. All I know is that love – true love — is not such an easy thing to find. Few men ever do, and even then, it does not always last. But let me tell you, and this comes from a man who has loved and lost…” He shook his head with sadness. “Whatever the cost, whatever the prices we must pay, the result is always worth it. Even if it lasts a second, make that the most glorious second to ever exist here on this earth.”
“Huh…” Sebastian frowned. “So, if there is a chance…”
“Take it,” he said with a sly wink. “As I intend to. You know, when that special someone comes along.”
Sebastian found himself retreating into his own thoughts as he mulled over what Lord Livingston had just said, pairing it with his current situation in ways he had not expected to.
This meeting, one that had come from nowhere and looked to be proving profitable, was only ever meant to be about business. Lord Livingston was new in town, was in search of investments pertaining to land he owned in the north, and had managed to secure a sit-down with Sebastian.The man is persistent, I will give him that. But if what he offers is true, I get the sense that I will be doing a lot of business with him in the near future.
But none of that was important. At least not as important as it should have been.
Their conversation had turned to marriage, although Sebastian could not say how. Despite himself, he had shifted the topic toward his own marriage, prying Lord Livingston for advice that was desperately needed. The man was a neutral party and thus impartial in Sebastian’s esteem. What was more, he was surprisingly eloquent, and what he had said just now hit home a little harder than Sebastian had anticipated.
All day now, Sebastian had been thinking about what to do concerning Margot. To give their marriage a chance? To not take the risk and leave it where it lay?A battle is raging inside of me, the likes of which I have never known. No victor yet… but Lord Livingston had certainly given me much to think on.
He needed to speak again with his wife. Still, he did not know what would be said. But something had to be! And hopefully, the result would not be as painful as it had been last evening.
“You’ve given me much to think on,” Sebastian said.
“I’m glad I could help,” he laughed.
“But enough of that.” Sebastian finished his glass of brandy and waved Lord Livingston down. “We’re here to talk business – I must say, I am surprised I have never heard of you.”
“Not so surprising,” Lord Livingston shrugged. He had a face that one would not forget, simply because it was so symmetrical and sharp. High cheekbones, deep-set eyes of blue, and a smile that was knowing and intelligent. No doubt the man was a hit with the ladies, albeit not the one his heart had yearned for. “I have spent much of my life overseas and in the north. I rarely make it this far south.”
“Unless there is money to be made!” Sebastian laughed.
“Precisely.”
“Speaking of which, shall we discuss –” He was cut off by a knock at the door. “Yes?” Sebastian spoke over the lord’s shoulder.
The door gently opened, and through it stepped Margot. The sight of her caused a reaction inside Sebastian that he should have expected, even if it did catch him by surprise. His chesttightened. His stomach flipped. And his brow began to sweat as his pulse quickened.
