Your thought is of kissing her when it is obvious she wants to be away from you? You have not learned anything, Dominic. You are still a wretch.
“Indeed, if your father needs you, then you should go,” he said suddenly, dropping his hand. “Do not feel as if you have to stay until next week. If you leave lessons for Harriet, I will see to it that they are done.”
Frances’ eyes scrunched as if she did not understand, or the subconscious squeeze of his other hand, still holding hers, had caused her some pain. “If I left tomorrow, you would not mind?”
It would torment me…
“Not at all. Youshouldbe with your family instead of strengthening the weaknesses that I have created in mine,” he replied instead, schooling his expression into one of distant agreement. “I am just glad that what you fled from has gone away.”
A cold smile curved her lips. “Gentlemen like Lord Sherbourne never go away.”
“No, I suppose not.” He knew he should release her hand, but he could not do it yet. Just a moment more. “Tomorrow, then?”
She gave a slow, dazed nod. “If that is of no trouble to you, no trouble at all, then… why not. The sooner I return to my old life, the better it shall be.” Something like sadness glimmered in her eyes. “But this has been a rather lovely holiday from that old life. I shall not forget the kindness you showed by allowing me in.”
How was he supposed to respond to that? It was all going to be over tomorrow, and he too would have to return to his old life: the quiet, reclusive existence that he used to favor so much. Yet, if the past week had taught him anything, it was that the things that once brought him peace and joy were now just different ways to be lonely.
“You are welcome. I am glad you were able to find some respite,” he said awkwardly. “Perhaps, Harriet and I shall see you at the debutante ball.”
Frances slowly pulled her hand out of his and returned to her contrite posture, her chin to her chest. “Perhaps, Your Grace,though I likely should not tempt fate by beingtoovisible in society.” She paused. “Either way, I shall be championing Harriet’s success, and I shall ask Juliet to look out for her.”
“Well then…” Dominic took a step backward. “If you require anything in the meantime, do let me know.”
“I would not bother you any more than I already have, Your Grace,” she replied, her tone strange. “If you will excuse me, I must inform Harriet… and then I suppose I ought to prepare for my departure.”
With a quick bob of her head, she skirted past him and hastened across the entrance hall, her slender hand gripping tight to the banister as she hurried up the stairs.
Dominic turned to watch her go, already wishing he could go back to the part where he had told her,“There is always a choice.”The trouble was, he did not have an alternative tempting enough to offer her, for he could not propose marriage, and he would not propose any other arrangement. No matter how hard her life might be at home, life with him would be harder.
He had already destroyed Althea’s life, and had almost destroyed Harriet’s; he would not destroy Frances’ too.
Indeed, when she left tomorrow, maybe it would be in everyone’s best interest if they never crossed paths again, because if they did, he doubted he would have the strength to let her go a second time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“Ishall never forgive him for this,” Harriet groused.
She stood sullenly on the porch with her arms crossed, glaring at the carriage that would soon take Frances and Catherine away. There had not been much for either of the women to pack, though Frances had taken her time stuffing her carpet bag full of her worldly belongings, delaying the departure for as long as she could.
For at least half an hour that morning, she had simply sat by the window in her garret bedchamber and gazed out at the endless sea of greenery and woodland and countryside. Savoring it, committing every detail to memory for when she was back in the city, with nothing but cobbled streets, uniform townhouses, and a small, private park outside her window.
“Who?” Frances asked, taking the bait.
“My father.” Heather sniffed. “I knew he would send you away. I hoped that, when he saw my progress, he would ask you to stay with us all Season, but I should have known better. He always does this. Whenever there is the possibility of change,goodchange, he just… changes it all back.”
Frances took a breath and held her arms out to the younger woman, who promptly walked right into them, squeezing Frances so tight that she thought she heard her ribs creaking in protest.
“It is nothing to do with your father,” Frances said gently. “It ismyfather who commanded me to come back. I have taught you everything you shall ever need to know about society, Harriet, and I know that you will shine when you debut. You will not be able to help it. But, right now, there is someone else who needs me. My sister.”
“But she has hadyearsof you teaching her. I have barely had any time at all with you,” Harriet protested, squeezing even harder, until a laugh popped out of Frances’ mouth.
“Youdid not need years because you were a dedicated student,” Frances explained, lightly stroking the young woman’s hair and wishing with all of her heart that Dominic would just stride out onto the porch and ask her to stay.
I would defy my father if you would just tell me you want me here.Her heart sighed at the fantasy of it, and she wondered if she had read one too many of Lucinda’s favorite books. Thosethings did not happen in real life, least of all to someone like her, whose future had already been decided by others.
Maybe, Frances could fend off her father’s desire to get her married off for another Season, with Juliet debuting and Lucinda now entering her precarious third Season without a match, but she would not be able to escape it when next year came around. There was a chance he would not even bother with the organic method of meeting prospects at gatherings, but employ the services of a matchmaker for her instead.
“Is it because you do not like us?” Harriet lamented. “Did my father upset you at the fair? I saw you walking with him, and you were smiling, but when you came back, you looked so very sad. Whatever he did, tell me and I shall scold him terribly, and then you will not have to leave me.”
