Soon, they found themselves on the dock, watching the calm, little waves on the lake. Madeline and Charles competed,skipping pebbles. Madeline was the first to try. She picked up a flat pebble, lifted her skirt a little, and bent her knees before she threw the pebble as hard as she could. She giggled in excitement and even jumped a little as it bounced four times before finally sinking into the water.
“That’s a good try, Lady Madeline,” Charles complimented.
“I have had a bit of a practice, Mr. Fitzroy.” She curtsied as she looked at Lavinia.
Lavinia smiled at her feat.
“It’s my turn now,” Charles said as he tossed the pebble in his hand. He positioned himself while Madeline watched eagerly from the side.
Lavinia did not seem to be focused on their little competition. Instead, she sat uncomfortably beside the Duke on the dock.
They were not saying a word, but the tension was obviously there. She held her breath as she controlled her movements. She wondered if he also felt the way she did.
“How have you been?”
She was taken aback by the Duke’s sudden attempt at a conversation. All this time, she wanted to talk to him but did not have the confidence to be the first one to utter a word. Her throat went dry, her lips unable to form a word.
“I think it’s better for both of us if we keep our distance, Miss Fitzroy,” he added.
Lavinia felt her head spin.
“There’s no reason for us to be seen together. I think we should limit our interactions to group meetings such as this,” he said, which only made the ache in her chest feel worse.
What can I say? What does he mean? Why doesn’t he want to be seen with me?
For a split second, she wondered if someone had seen her slip out of his room the other night.
It’s possible. It could have happened. Someone… someone like Charles could have been wandering the halls and caught me out of bed. Charles might have brought the Duke out here this morning so that the two men could come to an agreement and?—
“Miss Fitzroy,” the Duke continued in a placid tone, as if he were entirely unperturbed, “I do not want whispers to follow our every step. So, it would be best if we tread lightly going forward.”
“Your Grace…” Lavinia’s voice shook. “I have no desire or need to be alone with you again. In fact, I would prefer not to see you at all.”
Can he hear my voice trembling? Does he know what it cost me to utter this lie?
“Good,” he replied, but it only left her vexed. “Then we are in agreement.”
What?
Her heart felt as if it might break.
“Tell me…” All of a sudden, she could no longer hold her feelings. She felt like she would burst at any moment.
How could he ignore what happened? What am I supposed to do?
Since they had kissed, Lavinia had not been able to function well. She could not understand how the Duke could go on his way and not worry about a single thing. For heaven’s sake, she wanted to know if he was suffering too.
She watched him stare at Madeline and Charles, who were still throwing rocks at the water. It only made her heart hurt even more.
“Could you at least look at me?” she almost yelled at him, her voice loud enough to make Madeline and Charles turn their heads to her. But when she just smiled at them, they resumed their little game.
The Duke turned his head slowly and stared at her nonchalantly.
“I apologize, Your Grace,” she said quickly.
“Just say what you want to say,Lavinia.” He almost whispered her name, and her heart raced.
Up until this point, he had only used her Christian name when they’d been alone and engaged in activities that were… well, the sort that certain members of the ton would frown upon.
