Lavinia knew she ought to be rapt and listen to her twin’s every word, but she had closed off her ears and focused only on the Duke.
“He is an interesting individual all in all, and I should not object to getting to know him better.”
Suddenly, her brother’s stories about the Duke did not sit right with her. The way Charles described his new acquaintance was so different from what her mother had said just that morning.
Lavinia was tempted to ask her brother what he knew about Lady Overstreet, but she did not dare.
If Charles has a favorable opinion of the Duke, who am I to spread gossip and taint it?
“I think I need to get some air, Charles,” she said, cutting him off.
Without waiting for his reply, she walked away towards the tiny forest in the southwest part of the estate. The forest had multiple and varied trees that naturally grew close together. Her favorite part was the short stream that crossed the middle. It may have been the reason the trees were able to survive on their own without care.
From under the canopy, she could hear the birds sing separately but beautifully. She closed her eyes and listened to the birds; she could stay here and be at peace for as long as she liked.
She stood restfully, unbothered by the small banquet that seemed miles away. She could hear the faint laughter and music drifting through the trees, but it did not unnerve her.
She knew that no one else—except for Charles, if he chose to follow her—was likely to be here. All the guests would be back near the house, enjoying the banquet. So, she was confident that she would be alone for her much-needed stroll.
However, luck was not on her side that day, and she was not alone in the woods. Soon, she heard footsteps following her. She immediately stopped and turned around to see who it could be. Her heart sank when she saw Lord Windham approaching.
“Do not be alarmed, Miss Fitzroy,” he said as he drew closer, with both hands raised in surrender. “I did not mean to startle you.”
“Did you follow me here, My Lord?”
“I had to follow you,” he said simply. “I saw you leave with Charles, and I did not want to miss my chance to…”
“To what?” Lavinia prompted.
“I wished to declare my love for you openly.”
Lavinia’s jaw dropped. She stared at Lord Windham and saw no falsehood in his expression. His inky blue eyes were wide and earnest. He stood before her with his palms raised, offering her his heart and affection.
“You… love… me?” she asked haltingly. “But how is that possible?”
He gulped. “When I stayed with your brother and your parents so long ago, I spent my days wandering through the estate. As you know, there is a rather fine portrait of you hanging in the hall and…”
Lavinia nodded numbly. “I had my portrait taken when I was just eighteen… to celebrate my debut.”
“I walked by that portrait dozens of times every day, Miss Fitzroy.” Lord Windham removed his fine silk top hat and traced his fingers tremulously over the brim. “I… Even when I should not have been in that part of the house, I found myself returning to that spot so I could gaze up at your beautiful face.”
“But it is just a portrait,” Lavinia said. “You could not develop any real feelings for me while looking upon it. You could not?—”
“I have met you now, Miss Fitzroy,” Lord Windham argued. His voice stopped quivering, and his speech grew more impassioned. “I know that you are not just beautiful, but also adventurous and…”
“You long for adventure?” Lavinia arched an eyebrow at him.
“I need someone full of spirit and ebullient in my life,” he confessed. “I am too timid to mingle in Society as I should, so I need a wife who will?—”
“No.” Lavinia shook her head. She had heard enough. “Lord Windham, you shouldn’t be here. You should not have followed me.”
“Why should I not be here?” he asked, confused. “Were you expecting to see someone else?”
“I was expecting to be alone, My Lord,” she emphasized.
Lord Windham stared at her for a long moment, then he spoke softly, “Were you expecting another gentleman to accompany you here?”
He took a step forward, and she took a step back. Suddenly, she felt a little resistance behind her back. She realized that a tree trunk had stopped her from moving. She had been uncomfortable when Lord Windham had professed his love, but this turn in the conversation had her even more discomfited.
