She shook his hand as a friend would, and he left her room. She stood, scarlet, realizing that the man she was expected to marry had been in her bedroom, and though chaperoned he should never have been there. It was forbidden, just as their match should have been. She should have avoided him at every opportunity, but she had not, and that was her own fault entirely.
“Shall I prepare your things, my lady?” the maid asked. “For the wedding?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Regardless of how she felt, it did not matter. The following day would come, and she would say her vows and mean them, and he would say his and not mean them. It was simple, and precisely what they had agreed upon. She did not want to ask for more than that, for then she would only be disappointed.
They were going to marry, and that was going to be enough.
Chapter Twenty
George had never wanted anything more in his life than to kiss his bride-to-be.
She was standing before him, her lips parted and her eyes searching, and he was expected to maintain his composure. It was torture, and the only thing that he could think to do was hold out his hand in an attempt to put distance between them.
Why did he want her so badly?
She did not want him. She had said herself that she was resigned to her fate, and that she would no longer make it difficult for him. She had agreed that their match would be sensible and practical, for that was best for all involved. He had wanted to correct her, to say that that was not what was best for him, but he had not said a word, because if he did, and she rejected him, then it might have killed him.
“I cannot believe that the wedding is tomorrow!” Philippa gushed at dinner.
They were all seated save for Lady Cassandra, who had requested that her meal be taken to her. Her absence was noted, but Philippa seemed content for it to be the three of them and George did not wish to dampen her spirits.
“And I cannot believe that I am saying this,” his grandmother replied, “but I am looking forward to it. The village needs something like this. I noticed during the party that there is a certain lack of spirit there.”
“What do you mean? They seemed perfectly happy.”
“Happy, yes, but there was… I do not know, but it felt as though something was missing. Did you notice it, George?”
“I did not, but there have been some difficulties with the farms this year, and some fabric shortages, so I can assume that they have faced more hardship than usual.”
“I see. In any case, your wedding will be something for them to be pleased about.”
George did not think that his wedding would help any of them. It was not to be a grand display of wealth, but he still did not believe that those in the village that were struggling would appreciate knowing that their duke was happy and comfortable in his enormous home.
And if they knew that he had been so preoccupied with his bride that he had not noticed their struggle, they would be even angrier about it. George shook his head gently and tried not to think about it. He had not ignored it all deliberately, and had only neglected their troubles because he had struggled to find a balance between everything that he had to do. Once he was married, and they had settled into their routine, he would fix it.
“And why are you now pleased about it?” Philippa asked. “You have certainly changed your mind quickly.”
“I know,” she sighed. “I was going to speak with you tomorrow, Philippa, but I owe you an apology. I thought that I was protecting you both, but I see now that I have only been controlling you. You did not deserve that, and it was unfair of me.”
“Oh, Grandmother, I know. I have always known that you wanted the best for us.”
“But I should have been kinder about it! Do not accept my apology so easily.”
“But I want to. I know that you mean it, and that you wish to change, so what good can be found in holding a grudge? I would rather we move on. Do you not feel the same, George?”
He wanted to say no, and declare that he was furious still and always would be, but when he looked at the elderly lady before him he knew that he could not. She had done all that she could just as he had, and though he did not want to see himself in her,he had no choice but to. They had both tried, and they had both made mistakes.
“I do,” he nodded. “I do not want to start my marriage with any hurt feelings in this household. I wish to move forward just as Philippa does, and that can only happen if we forgive one another.”
He glanced at his sister then, and noticed that she was looking at him with a sideward glance, as though she were hiding something. She had never hidden anything from him before, and he dreaded to think what it could possibly be, but he pushed the thought from his mind. This was his younger sister, the sweet girl that had never gotten into any trouble at all.
And so, when he saw her alone in the parlor room that evening, he did not expect a very difficult conversation at all.
“I saw how you were looking at me,” he said outright. “What do I need to forgive you for?”
She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, as though he had said something ridiculous.
