Justin stared at Portia, struggling to find the words.
“And… you know, I think he did rather well,” she whispered.
“I thought this day couldn’t get more bizarre,” Justin murmured.
“Sell Hollyhead if it pleases you, Your Grace. But know that if you do, you’ll lose my sister forever. Here’s what I will propose: Vend the other properties and keep pushing forward with your plans here. Make this place yours, put your mark on it. Sooner or later Hollyhead gets in your blood.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Justin replied. “A manor house calls for noble blood and I’m from working stock. I’ll never fit in here.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Your Grace,” she said, draining the glass. “Maybe you’ll start believing it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Cordelia managed toslip out of her bedroom before anyone noticed. Tiptoeing through the house, she ran into Dolly in the kitchens who made her a cup of tea and a large fuss over her ankle. Before Dolly could fetch Mrs. Norris, Cordelia fled through the doors into the stable yard, where she yanked a knit shawl over her shoulders and gritted her teeth as she dragged her sore ankle toward the reflecting pond.
It was early morning, the day still quiet as the farmers readied their animals for work. It would have been the perfect day for a ride and Cordelia suddenly felt a deep wave of disappointment wash over her, knowing that she would have to be more restrained than before.
It wasn’t just the riding that she would have to put aside. Now that the treasure hunt was over, she would have to lean into planning the ball and being an excellent hostess, with Rhys and Lady Billings milling about on the neighboring estate. Other lords and ladies would also be filtering into Hertfordshire from London, hoping to catch wind of scandals and other salacious gossip. There would be invitations to teas and dinners and lawn games to field in the next few weeks before they threw open the doors to Hollyhead for all of the ton to see.
Cordelia swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat as she spread out the shawl on the grassy knoll before the reflecting pond. She could hardly believe that it was almost a month sinceJustin had inflicted himself on her life. In a year of constant upheaval, she’d managed to find herself some respite in the midst of the chaotic few weeks, riding, speaking, and laughing more freely than she ever had in the company of a man.
Too free,she thought to herself. Indeed, she’d indulged herself in pleasures reserved for other women, the kinds who did not care for their reputations.
“It ends here,” she said to herself, desperate to draw a line in the sand. From now on, she would maintain an exterior appearance of calm and grace, not allowing anyone or anything to penetrate it.
Shielding her eyes against the glare of the rising sun, she saw Rhys up ahead aboard a chestnut gelding. He was graceful and lithe as he rode, tipping his hat to her as he approached. But that was Rhys in all things, charming and amiable.
“Good morning,” he said, dismounting when he got close enough.
“Good morning,” Cordelia replied, standing.
“You don’t need to move yourself on my account,” he replied, taking off his riding gloves.
Cordelia just shrugged her shoulders. For some reason, she felt shy around Rhys, which had never happened before. A neighbor and friend, they had been raised together. Even after those few stolen moments in the Halton hothouse, they’d been able to go back to the ease of their relationship. But Rhys had been out of her life for nearly five years, and today she was feeling that distance.
“I’ve missed you,” he said softly, doing his best to break the tension. Coming to stand in front of her, he kissed her cheek.
Surprised at the contact, she blushed and shrugged away. Not meeting his gaze, she gestured to the path. “Shall we?” she asked.
Rhys half smiled. “Lead the way.”
Cordelia leaned on his arm as they promenaded around the reflecting pond. A magpie cried as she let the silence grow between them. Cordelia supposed she was being rude, but for the life of her she couldn’t think of anything to say.
“I’m sorry I was not there for the funeral,” Rhys said. He did not meet her gaze as he spoke, instead studying the pond.
“You were missed,” Cordelia replied. “But I understand. Will’s death was difficult… for all of us.”
Rhys took in a deep breath. “You have a lot to forgive me for, Lia. But I want to let you know that I have arrived home with the intention of doing the right thing… for you and your sisters.”
Cordelia’s heart began to pound and she felt bile rising in her throat.
“Did you see that the new duke is making improvements to the property?” she ground out.
Rhys looked down at her, eyebrow raised. “Well, yes, I had heard that. Actually, it was on that subject I hoped to speak to you about.”
Cordelia’s mouth went dry, trying to find something to say that would stop him. But her mouth refused to obey her and instead it hung open.
“My mother has the ability to release more funds to me. We have an agreement that on the date of our marriage, I would have the means to purchase Hollyhead House.”
