“Well, I cannot be found in here now can I?” Except, if he was, Mrs. Trenton may feel it necessary to write to His Grace. Though, it was not likely the Duke of Claybrook would force a marriage. It wasn’t as if Lavinia was an innocent younger sister, but a widow of nine and twenty. He’d likely just replace Demetrius for having disrespected Lavinia, and she’d be forced to live with the embarrassment of her brother knowing how she had spent her holiday.
“You could wait,” she suggested. “Eventually they will…”
“What? Go to bed? I cannot hide in your room all day.”
She bit her lip and came to look out the window. “It is too far. You will injure yourself or break your neck.” On those words she winced. Her brother had died of a broken neck after he had fallen from a horse.
“I will not die,” he promised and hoped that he was correct. “It is not so far. I promise.”
With that, he edged out, holding on as he let his body hang down the side of the cottage, clutching to the window frame with his fingers before he looked down again.
Bloody hell! All he could hope was that he didn’t break an ankle or leg and let go.
Thankfully he did not appear to be injured and only fell onto his bum after his feet hit the ground.
Lavinia watched with worry from above and he returned a grin and a wave before he stood and stepped carefully to make certain that he had not twisted an ankle, which he had not. Then he rushed off, hoping that he wasn’t seen, then made his way back to his own cottage where Max was anxiously waiting for his return.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Lavinia feared that her heart was going to beat right out of her chest when Mrs. Trenton called up and then when Demetrius dropped from her window.
Thank goodness he had not been injured, but she was saddened to see him go.
These past three days had been not only wonderful, but special and they were days that she would cherish.
She also hadn’t known that it was possible to love someone so much and so deeply, but as he never voiced a deep caring for her, Lavinia kept her emotions to herself.
They both knew that being lovers was only to last for so long and then they would part.
It was never voiced other than while they were on holiday, which meant that it would come to an end.
Except she did not want it to, yet it must.
She checked her appearance one last time then left her chamber and went downstairs where Mrs. Trenton was straightening the blanket that she had left unfolded on the settee.
“Did I just see Mr. Valentine run by?”
Lavinia did her best to school her features. “If so, it was likely that he was chasing Max.”
Mrs. Trenton simply nodded.
“It was nice of Mr. Valentine to purchase the evergreen so that you could decorate for Christmas.”
Lavinia couldn’t help but smile. “It was very kind of him, and a surprise.”
“I am simply wondering if he was more interested in the candles and greenery on the mantel or the mistletoe in the doorway. Especially since we have never put up mistletoe in the house.”
Her face heated but she was at a loss for words.
“He did not know that we never have.”
“Well, I hope it was used.” Then Mrs. Trenton turned and exited the room, leaving Lavinia gaping.
Did the housekeeper suspect anything more than a few stolen kisses?
She certainly hoped that was not the case because, despite being a widow, Lavinia still wished to protect her reputation.
