Paxton continued to look at the sheet and was quiet for so long she finally blurted, “Oh, for the sake of the jitters in my stomach, Paxton, what does he say?”
“Nothing much, as usual. He has instructed me to not agree to anything the duke says, nor to sign anything that the duke might give me. Uncle said that once I have made it known to him that I find Lady Adele acceptable to make a match, which he has all confidence I will do, he will thentake over and handle everything with the duke for me so that he can ensure all will be settled for my best benefit.”
Loretta could see the parchment he was holding. It had a lot of writing on it. “Is that all he says?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Her insides calmed. Her shoulders relaxed. Her breathing eased. The decision had been made. “So I wasn’t mentioned.”
“No, but I’m sure you were in the letter you are holding.”
A lump formed in her throat. Yes, she was sure of that, too. But if the earl didn’t mention her going in Paxton’s letter, that probably meant she wouldn’t be going.
“Then it is as I expected,” she said softly. “Uncle is encouraging you to go to Hawksthorn and make the match with Lady Adele.”
“Yes and he says the quicker the better. To quote him”—Paxton looked down at the letter and read—“‘Before another, more worthy gentleman snatches her from beneath your nose while you dally about life doing nothing of importance.’” He lifted his head and smiled at Loretta.
How he could smile after such a callous remark, Loretta didn’t know. “That was unkind of Uncle.”
“But expected. Our father wasn’t his favorite brother so we never had a chance at being favored, either. Now read yours.”
She didn’t want to but knew she must. She turned the parchment over, broke the earl’s seal, and read. He was allowing her to go. Her legs turned weak. The duke had won. He had convinced her uncle to allow her to travel.
Loretta looked up at Paxton. “Uncle is giving me permission to go to Hawksthorn. But says the only reason he is allowing it is because he wants me to make friends with Lady Adele and do all within my power to see to it you and the duke’s sister marry with all haste.”
Paxton laughed heartily and, grabbing Loretta’s forearms, kissed first one cheek and then the other. “I hope you are happy, my dear, because I am delighted you’ll be with me!”
“Yes, I do want to go,” she said knowing in her heart it was the truth, despite her troubling thoughts about what might happen between Paxton and Lady Adele or with her and the duke while she was there.
“See, I told you it is difficult to refuse a duke,” Paxton said.
Oh, she knew how hard it was.
“But ifyoudon’t refuse him,” Loretta said, “will you always wonder about Miss Pritchard and what could have developed between you two? You seemed quite taken with her when you returned home and said you wanted to pay her a visit in the spring.”
“So I do. Just now I was referring to it being difficult for our uncle to refuse the duke. Not me.”
“Oh.” Loretta smiled. “I was thinking you were talking about yourself. I’m happy you are taking your time about this and not rushing into saying you will marry Lady Adele.”
“If your experience with Lord Denningcourt taught me anything, it was that one doesn’t rush into making a match.”
“I wonder what the duke said to make the earl soften his heart and agree to let me travel this time. It’s been so long since I’ve asked to go anywhere.”
“I can’t know for sure, but he probably had to promise to give the earl something in return. That is the way people usually do things. Even children. Remember when I used to say to you that I would play with you and your teacups if you would play hide-and-seek with me?”
“I do remember that.”
Happy memories of their early childhood came flooding back to her: When they lived in their own home. When they chased each other up and down the stairs. When the governess taught them their lessons together and when they threw stones into the pond behind their house. When their mother brushed their hair and patted their cheeks affectionately. A warm feeling washed over her, and she smiled.
All that was before their mother died. Before Paxton went to boarding school and she to Switchingham to learn how to be a lady.
“I don’t know for sure how it came about,” Paxton said, his earlier statement obviously not jogging memories as it had for her. “I don’t care, Loretta, and neither should you. Not only am I pleased you’re going to get away from this monstrosity for a while, but I also want to know what you think of Lady Adele.”
“I want to meet her, too.”
“To make sure she doesn’t have a wart on her nose or a missing front tooth.”
They both laughed.
