The butler dipped his head, sensing the tension in the room. “The Duke has requested an audience with Miss Fitzroy,” he said, before turning to Lavinia, who could only stare at the doorway.
Peter appeared a moment later, stepping into the drawing room, his presence immediately commanding the space. His dark, tailored coat and perfectly polished boots made him look every inch the powerful duke, but Lavinia’s eyes were drawn to his face—the intensity in his gaze, the urgency that seemed to radiate from him. He looked directly at her, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Your Grace,” the Baroness greeted as she rose to her feet, her voice tinged with both surprise and curiosity. “We weren’t expecting you.”
Peter bowed his head in greeting. “My apologies for arriving unannounced, Lord and Lady Crawford,” he said, his voice quiet. “I have urgent matters to discuss, and I fear I could not delay my visit.”
The Baron and Baroness exchanged a quick glance. It was obvious they were unsure what to make of the situation.
Lavinia, still seated, felt her pulse quicken. What could possibly have brought him here, to her home, without any prior notice? She hadn’t heard from him since he left the estate.
Peter’s gaze flickered to her briefly before turning back to her parents. “If I may be so bold, I wish to speak with you… all of you.”
He stood there for a moment, looking as if he was gathering his thoughts.
Lavinia rose from her seat, her palms slightly damp as she clasped them together, unsure of what to expect. Silence stretched between them, and for a brief moment, she wanted to say something—to ask him why he had come—but the words stuck in her throat.
“Very well,” her father said. “If you have something to say, Your Grace, we are eager to listen.”
Peter cleared his throat loudly, then looked at her. “I should have come sooner,” he began, his voice low and filled with regret. “I should have confessed my love earlier. I should have?—”
“Oh, dear,” her mother gasped, clasping her hands to her chest.
“Hush,” her father murmured, before motioning for Peter to continue. “The gentleman is sharing his feelings.”
Her parents grasped each other’s hands, and her mother let out a dreamy sigh.
Peter stepped forward, and Lavinia returned her attention to him. “I’ve been a fool, Lavinia,” he said, the rawness in his voice startling her. “I thought I was being wise and sensible by keeping my distance, but now I see that I was wrong.”
Lavinia swallowed, her voice trembling as she spoke. “What are you saying, Peter?”
“I’m saying that I love you,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ve loved you for days—weeks. But I was afraid. Afraid that what I had to offer you would never be enough. thatIwould never be good enough. I did not believe in love the way you do. I shunned the mere notion of finding the one person in this world who could make me feel whole until… until I met you.”
Her breath caught in her throat.
Love?He loves me?
It was the confession she had longed to hear, but now that it was spoken, she was too overwhelmed to process it.
“And now,” Peter continued, his eyes darkening with something far more serious, “I hear you’re engaged to Lord Windham.” He turned and stared at her parents long and hard.
Lavinia’s mouth fell open in shock, completely blindsided by his words.
“Engaged?” her father echoed incredulously.
“To Emanuel?” her mother added. “Where on earth did you hear that, Your Grace?”
Peter’s brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. “Madeline told me. She received a letter from you, Lavinia, just this morning, announcing your engagement.”
A laugh bubbled up in Lavinia’s throat, despite the tension. “Engaged to Lord Windham? Peter, that’s absurd.”
Peter blinked, clearly thrown by her reaction. “What do you mean?”
“Madeline must have misunderstood,” Lavinia said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I would never agree to marry that man. I could never agree to marry any man, but…” she trailed off.
She knew she did not need to finish her statement. Everyone already understood that she was in love with Peter, too.
Peter exhaled sharply, as if a weight had just been lifted from his chest. “So, it’s not true?”
