Instead of cuddling with him, I watched Lydia do so. It’s adorable. They’re such a pair. I’m ashamed of how fearful I’ve been of their relationship. I read chapters thirty-six and thirty-seven ofPride and Prejudice. Elizabeth has begun to rethink her opinion of Darcy. “Lada, do you think if I wrote Jahleel a letter about how I feel, he’d change his mind about us?”
My kitten looks at me like I’ve spoken Russian or barked. She knows the situation is impossible. My heart sinks, mired in sadness.
“Lada, what is it I’m missing? Why can’t Jahleel see we should begin anew?”
She blinks and sticks out her tongue before pawing the little bell Mr. Steele has suspended from the basket handle. “Guess that means you have no answers.”
Or does she mean for me to play along? Then I realize I’m desperately seeking advice from a cat—my, how I’ve fallen.
Georgina rushes into my bedchamber. With a blush on her face, the pretty woman seems out of breath. Scarlett enters right behind her.
I fret, gasp, and spin around on my vanity seat, prepared for the latest disaster. “Georgie, Scarlett, what have I done now?”
Scarlett recoils. “Nothing. I think my teas have had unintended consequences.”
“What?” I’m out of the chair and in front of her, almost shaking her. “Have you triggered his sickness? Have stolen—” I release her and shrink back. “I’m sorry. Tell me.”
She gazes at me. “I’ve done nothing to hurt him.”
Her tone feels cold. It’s the perfect rebuke.
I rub my face. The bruises have faded, but there remains a soreness that I deserve. “Just tell me what happened.”
“He’s fine,” Georgie says. “Perhaps too fine. He’s entertaining mothers and daughters from across London downstairs.”
“What?”
“Every part. From Cheapside to Mayfair,” Scarlett says. “He’s hunting for a duchess. No one believes that there’s one sitting upstairs, catering to his needs.”
“Scarlett, all I do is read to him. The teas aren’t helping. All he wants is words fromPride and Prejudice.”
“Don’t look at me like that. Katherine, my research shows that positive thought and attitude is best for healing. And herbs work. Stephen chose the book.”
I grip her hand. “I don’t mean anything. It’s just that it’s A. Lady’s fault. That author has grounded him or made him hunger for peace.” I look at Lada, slowly moving in circles in her basket. “Nothing I’ve said has done that.”
“Wait.” Georgina steps forward. “Katherine, you want the duke? I thought you didn’t?”
Scarlett smirks. “Tell Georgie. I can’t believe I know something she doesn’t.”
I take Georgina’s hands. “Your older sister is full of foolishness. I want Jahleel. I think I love him again.”
“You said you couldn’t love him.” Georgina looks dismayed. “Are you sure?”
With a nod, I kiss her cheek. “I’m sure, but he is not sure of me or my character. He can tell me over and over that he’s forgiven me but something is keeping him from reconciling.”
“Maybe you’re not saying the right things. When he proposed to me …” Georgina’s voice pierces me. Blood rushes to my ears.
“He proposed to you?” I find myself pacing, readying to strike something, but I’m the one kicked in the head like the mule I am. “This, too, is my fault.”
“Yes,” Georgina says. “The duke wants peace. When he proposed to me, he wasn’t looking for love. He’s done with love.” She reaches for my balled fist. “It was a test to help me see that I was just scared of saying my heart belonged to Mark.”
“Why are you telling me this now? Remember when I accused you of liking him.”
“This was when Lydia was sick. And he was desperate to be a part of the little girl’s life.” She comes closer and glares at me. “If I had been of lesser character or didn’t love Mark and had said yes, the duke would have married me. He commits to his obligations. He’s a man of his word.”
Scarlett wags her finger in my face. “So if one of those pushy women gets their claws in him, he’ll be trapped. He will marry one of them.”
“But we’re still married. That’s a point for the Cossacks.”
