“Thank you for attending the house party,” Lady Crawford said, her tone warm. “We hope you enjoyed your stay.”
Peter offered a courteous smile, though it felt hollow. “It was a lovely event. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Lord Crawford extended his hand for a shake. “Safe travels, Your Grace. We appreciate your visit.”
Charles stepped forward with a friendly grin. He clapped Peter on the back. “Good luck with everything, Your Grace. I hope to see you again soon.”
Peter offered him a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Fitzroy. I wish you all the best.”
Next came his mother and Madeline. His mother had joined the group, and her eyes held a trace of sadness as she bid him farewell. “We’ll see you again soon?”
Peter nodded. “I shall try to be a more dedicated son.”
Madeline gave him a warm hug. “Don’t be a stranger, Peter. We’ll miss you.”
Peter promised he would return to Arlington soon, though the words felt empty.
As the final farewells were exchanged, Peter felt a deep sense of loss. He had hoped for a final, meaningful exchange with Lavinia before his departure, perhaps a proper goodbye to someone special… to a friend. Yet, she maintained a deliberate distance from him, her demeanor one of cool detachment.
With a heavy heart, he bid farewell to everyone once more and climbed into his carriage.
As the carriage wound its way down the twisting road, Peter’s mind was consumed with thoughts of Lavinia and the heartache of separation. The distance between them was both physical and emotional, a painful reminder of the unresolved feelings that lingered.
He was acutely aware of Lavinia’s presence, her choice to curtsy rather than say something adding to the weight of his departure. It was as if her refusal to speak to him had widened the chasm between them.
He tried to push away the tumult of emotions, focusing instead on the view outside the carriage window. The landscape blurred into a tapestry of greens and browns, the scenery offering little solace. He knew that he had to accept the reality of his departure, to face the journey ahead with the burden of unspoken words and unfulfilled desires still heavy on his heart.
The journey would be long and filled with echoes of what might have been. With each passing mile, Peter was reminded of the missed opportunity to say goodbye properly, to confront the feelings that had come to define his stay at Crawford Hall.
Despite the physical distance between them, the emotional distance remained, a painful reminder of the love he had left unspoken and the lonely future that now lay ahead.
He understood then that the old adage was true. He did not truly understand the value of something until he had lost it completely.
CHAPTER 20
Lavinia stood still on the edge of the courtyard, her eyes fixed on the road that stretched beyond the estate, winding through the hills where Peter’s carriage had disappeared moments ago.
She knew she should have turned away by now, returned to her family, but her feet remained rooted to the spot, her heart heavy with the weight of her emotions.
The ache in her chest grew as she replayed the last few moments in her mind—his silent farewell, her deliberate refusal to say even a few words to him.
A wave of sadness rolled through her, settling deep in her stomach. She felt guilty for not bidding him goodbye. She had wanted to, but her pride had gotten in the way. He had hurt her, dismissed her feelings, and she had convinced herself that he deserved to be ignored, to feel the sting of her coldness. But now, as the dust from his carriage settled on the path, all she could feel was regret.
Why had she not said something? Why had she not given him a proper goodbye, even if it was just a simple word?
Her thoughts were interrupted by her father’s deep voice.
“Lavinia,” he called from behind her, his tone steady but firm.
She quickly straightened her posture, willing herself to turn away from the road.
“Yes, Father?” she replied, swallowing past the lump in her throat as she faced him.
“Come with me to my study,” he said, a serious expression on his face, though not an unkind one. His gaze, however, held a certain intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
She nodded and followed him into the house, casting one last glance at the horizon where Peter had vanished.
As they entered the house, Lavinia caught sight of her mother standing near the grand staircase. Her smile was wide and slightly mysterious.
