“Of course not,” Lavinia said, meeting his gaze squarely.
“Lord Windham did propose to our Lavinia, Your Grace,” her mother interjected.
Lavinia turned toward her and made a motion with her hand, hoping that would stop her from speaking.
“He did,” her mother continued nonetheless. “He asked Lavinia’s father if they might get married, and we promised to speak to her about the arrangement.”
“But then I got called away to London,” her father picked up, “and… well… ho-ho…” He let out his signature deep belly laugh. “By the time I returned home and told Lavinia about the proposal, she was already dead set against marrying the man.”
Relief flooded through Peter, and he stepped closer to Lavinia, his expression softening. “I’ve been tormenting myself with thethought of you with him,” he admitted. “I thought I had lost you for good.”
Lavinia’s heart swelled at his words, and for a moment, all the hurt she had been feeling dissolved.
Peter loved her. He had been fighting his feelings all along, but now here he was, standing before her, bearing his soul.
“And now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “What happens now?”
He reached for her hand, his touch gentle yet firm. “Now, I ask for your forgiveness,” he said softly. “For pushing you away, for making you doubt how much you mean to me. Now…” His eyes held hers with unwavering intensity. “I ask for a second chance. If you’ll have me.”
Lavinia’s heart fluttered as she searched his face, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. This was the Peter she had fallen in love with, the man she had longed to see again. And now here he was, offering her everything she had ever wanted.
A smile slowly spread across her lips, her heart soaring. “I think,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion, “that a second chance is exactly what I’ve been waiting for.”
Peter’s face lit up with relief and joy, and without another word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close as if he never wanted to let her go again.
Lavinia melted into his embrace, the weight of their unspoken feelings finally lifting.
In that moment, everything felt right. The uncertainty, the fear, the distance between them all faded away, leaving only the promise of the future they could finally share.
It had only been a few weeks since Peter officially began courting Lavinia, and the change in their relationship was palpable. Gone were the days of stolen glances and uncertain feelings. Now, their courtship was public, a declaration to the world that the Duke of Pemberton and the daughter of the Baron and Baroness Crawford were united.
It felt thrilling, almost unreal. Lavinia’s heart raced whenever Peter looked at her with that intensity that made her feel both desired and cherished.
Her parents had seemed surprised at first when he had burst into their drawing room, declared his feelings, and then asked her to be his wife, but they had quickly warmed up to the match. Perhaps it was because of Peter’s title, or perhaps they simply saw the way he treated Lavinia with a reverence that couldn’t be faked.
Either way, Lavinia found herself growing closer to Peter each day, their bond strengthening with every conversation, every lingering touch.
As they entered the grand ballroom, arms linked, Lavinia couldn’t help but feel a rush of exhilaration. Whispers followed them, but she did not mind the chatter. People were simply wondering about the future Duchess of Pemberton. She felt Peter’s hand tighten slightly around hers, a silent reassurance that he was by her side.
The night progressed beautifully. They danced, they laughed, and they mingled with the other guests. It was as if nothing could go wrong. But, of course, fate had other plans.
It started subtly, the murmurs growing at the edge of the room. Lavinia noticed Peter stiffen beside her as they stood near the refreshments table, but it wasn’t until she turned that she saw him.
Lord Windham.
She had not seen him since the house party. Even when she had rejected his proposal, she had simply let her father write a letter on her behalf.
“Miss Fitzroy!” Lord Windham called, before they could turn away and ignore him completely.
Peter’s hand was instantly on her waist, a protective gesture that sent warmth coursing through her despite the rising tension.
Lord Windham shuffled closer. He was no longer the reticent, wisp of a man she had first met at her parents’ house party, but he did not look confident either.
“I wished to offer you my congratulations,” he said as he peered at her.
“Indeed?” Peter was the one to answer.
“Yes.” Lord Windham turned so that he could address them both. “I should have known, back when we were all together at the house party, that the two of you… Well, that is to say…” His cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
