The Baroness continued talking, ignoring her. “Everyone said she was the loveliest girl on the marriage mart, and they were sure she would make an excellent match. And she did!” Her voice rose, but then it dropped to a whisper, indicating how she was crestfallen to report this news. “But then she allowed herself to be seduced by the Duke of Pemberton.”
Lavinia gasped. She could not help it. She should have known that her mother’s story was headed in that direction, but the revelation came as a surprise just the same. “No… Surely, the Duke would not dally with a married woman.”
“He did, and he has,” the Baroness replied. She blew out a breath, causing her feathery light bangs to flutter. “I just heard every sordid detail from Lord Windham.”
Lavinia’s mouth fell open. “Lord Windham? What does he know of the Duke’s affairs?”
The Baroness shrugged. “It seems that Lord Windham has been investigating the Duke’s business.” She paused and pursed her lips. “He did not tell me why he was so keen to learn about Henrietta’s son, but I suppose that is beside the point.” She huffed. “All I know is that the Duke has ruined Lady Overstreet’s reputation forever and that Lord Windham advised me to have you be on your guard.”
“Believe me when I say this, Mother—I am trying.” It was the most truthful thing Lavinia could bring herself to say.
“Very well, you are my daughter after all.” The Baroness exhaled and then smiled, as if she had not just delivered distressing news. “I trust that you’ll make the right decision.”
Lavinia sighed as soon as her mother left.
If my mother trusts me, why did she feel the need to tell me about the Duke and his dalliances? What does she know? What has she seen? What has Lord Windham told her?
Lavinia flopped back onto her bed, picked up a pillow, pressed it to her face, and screamed loudly. It did her precious little good to shout into the soft folds of her pillowcase, but she did feel marginally better after releasing some of her frustrations.
Crawford Hall and the lush, green fields surrounding it served as a blank canvas for a simple yet elegant garden banquet. Lady Crawford wore a satin dandelion dress that modestly followed the swell of her hips and flowed like air around her feet. She was drowned in flattery, as each guest made it a point to stop by the table and compliment her liberally.
Lavinia hid her face behind her gloved hand and yawned in boredom.
I do wish we had gone ahead with the original plan and gone into Arlington.
She yawned once more.
Lady Crawford turned just then and caught her patting her lips with the tips of her fingers. “Keep smiling, Lavinia dear,” she said through her gritted teeth.
“Yes, Mother.” Lavinia tried to smile despite the heavy feeling in her chest. She blinked her eyes many times, and the tears almost spilled over.
Still dejected from her recent heartbreak, she watched the people around her. At that moment, she just wanted to escape. She remembered her brother. As absurd as he might be, Charles always knew how to have fun, and at that very moment, Lavinia wished that he would materialize and pull her away from this elegant but dull banquet.
“Lavinia!” Suddenly, like an angel coming down from the heavens, his voice filled her ears. It was the sweetest music she had ever heard.
“Charles!” It was the first time in a long time that she called her brother’s name with such excitement.
“I came here to save you, my dear sister,” Charles whispered, reminding her of all the times he would steal her away from her governess to play in the mud in the backyard.
Lavinia finally let out a long breath, releasing the heaviness that had filled her chest earlier. She would be eternally grateful to her brother for coming to her aid when she needed him.
She nearly jumped to her feet then and followed him away from the throng. She cast a semi-apologetic look over her shoulder at their mother, but Lady Crawford’s attention had already been snagged by one of the guests, so Lavinia did not linger.
“You know what, Sister?” Charles began as they hurriedly walked away from their mother.
“What?” Lavinia asked, almost sounding enthused.
Suddenly, she saw a familiar face in the crowd. A face that she could never forget. He met her gaze, but then quickly averted his eyes. Lavinia felt a sharp jolt of pain in her chest.
Why? Why can’t the Duke bear to look at me?
“I like the Duke of Pemberton; he is a great companion. I do not believe the rumors about him,” Charles noted as they drew closer to the Duke. “He is definitely far different from those stories circulating about him.”
Lavinia stole another glance at him, but the Duke seemed like he did not care much for her anymore.
Is this the distance he wanted?
“I don’t think he could ever do all those things,” Charles continued. “I mean, it is no secret that men like the Duke have desires that need to be quenched, but he could not possibly…”
