“Lavinia’s right, Emanuel,” Charles interjected. He laughed lightly. “We didn’t come down to the dock to watch the sun.” He patted his breeches, which were much drier than they had beenearlier. “We were doing a bit of swimming at first, but now we’ve decided to lounge.”
“Uh…” Suddenly, Lord Windham was stumbling over his speech in that shy way of his again. “I say… would you mind if I…”
“It’s fine by me if you join our little group. You are welcome anytime,” Charles offered genially.
Lavinia was disappointed that her brother had failed to read her distress.
Again, she turned to look at the Duke. She wanted him to save her from this awkwardness. He had stepped in before, when they were on friendly terms and at least speaking to each other. But now, he sat still as a stone.
She sighed and accepted that there would be no escape from Lord Windham. The Duke was determined to ignore her, while this gentleman was ready and eager to show her some attention.
Lavinia knew that she ought to be pleased to have any gentleman look at her with the hopeful, cheery eyes Lord Windham trained upon her. Unfortunately, she was not satisfied with Lord Windham’s attention. She wanted the Duke to smile at her, but he did not show the least inclination to grant her wishes.
CHAPTER 12
“Mother!” Lavinia shouted from her bed as she wiped the few tears that escaped her eyes. “You must learn how to knock!”
She had been stuck in a melancholic state where any thought of the Duke made her heart break into pieces.
I should not be distressed. He does not want me… and I do not love him. He does not hold my heart!
However much she wanted to ignore the excruciating grief in her heart, she had been deeply wounded by his sudden avoidance yesterday.
“I am your mother, Lavinia. You should not expect me to announce my entrance. I should always be welcome in your chambers,” the Baroness complained, but her smile was an indication of her letting it go.
“What could your presence mean, Mother?” Lavinia asked as she stood up to fix herself up in front of the mirror. She took her brush and gently pulled the bristles through her slightly tangled hair.
“I heard your brother’s planning something.”
“He is,” she confessed. “But do not worry, Mama. I talked him round and convinced him to postpone the outing until tomorrow.” She gave her mother a warm smile. “We will not miss your banquet.”
Her mother fixed her with a look that indicated she was waiting to hear something else, so Lavinia added, “I warned him that you would not approve.”
The Baroness sighed. “I didn’t say I would not approve of an impromptu outing. Your brother is old enough to decide on his own how he spends his days. It is you whom I am worried about.”
“Me?” Lavinia said in a defensive tone.
“Indeed,” the Baroness replied. “It seems like your head has been in the clouds these last few days more than usual…” she drifted off, giving her the impression that she was the one who could not focus on any single subject.
“Have I done something wrong, Mama?” Lavinia asked with trepidation.
She knew quite well that she had engaged in plenty of naughty behavior this week.
Is it possible that Lord Windham pressed the issue? Did he tell Mama that he knew I was lying about being out of bed on that first night and?—
“You must avoid the Duke of Pemberton, Lavinia,” the Baroness pressed.
She pulled her shoulders back as her eyes narrowed on her daughter’s blue ones.
Lavinia could see in her mother’s eyes that this was a real and true warning. “Why?” she could not help but ask in a tremulous voice.
The Baroness frowned. “It distresses me to spread rumors, especially when they involve dear Henrietta’s son, but I just heard that the Duke has ruined Lady Overstreet.”
“Lady Overstreet?” Lavinia’s brow furrowed as she tried to recall anyone with that title.
Her mother sighed heavily. “She is a few years younger than you, Lavinia. She made her debut two Seasons ago.”
“Ah,” Lavinia murmured. “That explains why I do not know her.”
