“So you left to come here.”
Another nod. “Yes.”
“And how do you feel now that you are here?”
She scowled, fiddling with the lace cuff of her nightgown. “I feel . . . confused.”
“Are you happy?”
“No.”
Henry reached a hand over, placing it gently over hers. “Then what are you doing, Louisa? Why not choose happiness while you have it? We are not guaranteed anything in life. If you have the opportunity for happiness now, why not take it?”
“Because I fear what happens if the unthinkable occurs. What if he dies, Henry?”
Henry was silent for a moment, seemingly mulling over his words. “Very well. Let’s say he dies tomorrow. Would you mourn him?”
Louisa chewed her lip, finally relenting with a nod. “Yes. I would.” She straightened her shoulders. “And that is exactly why I had to come here. To vanquish these feelings before they get out of hand.”
Henry sighed. “Louisa, it is not that simple. I do not believe a person can just fall out of love. Especially if the person returns that love. They won’t let you go so easily.”
“Precisely,” she nearly shouted. She closed her eyes. “He has been wooing me, and that was not in our agreement.”
“Your wedding vows say otherwise,” Henry added dryly. He picked up a cup of water, then took a sip. “So this is why you never married all these years? Because you did not want to love someone?”
“What a simple way of stating a very complicated problem.”
“Because it is simple. You areovercomplicating it.”
“To answer your first question, yes. That is why. And when the duke proposed and asked me to be his duchess and entertain his guests for him, it seemed like a perfect situation.”
“Well, perhaps he is more deserving of you than I thought. I guess I won’t have to pummel your husband after all.”
Louisa stopped and turned, a disbelieving laugh slipping from her lips. “Goodness, Henry. I love you, but fighting the man would be quite pointless. He is much stronger than you.”
“Excuse me?” Henry’s hand went to his arm, rubbing it as he scowled. “I am very strong.”
“I did not say you weren’t. It is only that Robert is stronger.”
Henry rolled his eyes. “It is pointless anyway. I shall no longer need to fight him if what you say is true.”
Louisa giggled again, eliciting another glare from her brother. “I am sorry. I just cannot fathom you fighting anyone.”
“Well, I could.” He rolled a shoulder. “Now, what is your plan? You know you are always welcome here, but under the circumstances . . .”
“I need more time.” Louisa looked down at her hands, remembering the feel of Robert’s fingers as he checked her thumb to see if it was broken. And then the memory of them boxing appeared, her fist crushing into his nose.
“What?”
“Hm?” Louisa looked up to see Henry watching her.
“You are smiling.”
“Oh.” Louisa sighed. “It is nothing. I was only remembering the time I accidentally punched Robert in the face. It was the first time he let me see behind that mask he wears.” She mindlessly ran her finger in circles along the countertop. “To see the man he really is.”
“You won’t be able to suddenly fall out of love with him, Louisa,” Henry said quietly.
Her throat tightened. “I do not want him to break my heart.” The words barely slipped past her lips, and tears threatened to brim over her lower lids.
