Page 69 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

“She will need some time to finish getting ready. I can ask her to meet us in the breakfast room at nine.”

Lavender looked at the clock on the writing desk. It was only seven-thirty. Nine seemed to be an eternity away. However, she could not accomplish her plan alone. “That sounds lovely.”

Miriam set a hand on Lavender’s arm. “You are certain you are well?”

“Of course,” Lavender nodded. In reality, she felt good about taking action. She was tired of waiting on someone else to solve her predicament. Even if this was not a perfect solution, it was better than floundering and feeling the keenness of her heartache.

Miriam didn’t look convinced, but she left Lavender to her breakfast. Lavender wasn’t particularly hungry, but she knew it was important to keep her wits about her, so she ate the ham and eggs with toast in her bedchamber while she discreetly packed her trunk. Should anything go awry, it would be best to leave immediately. She didn’t want to put Samuel and Miriam’s family through any blame for her situation. Only the necessities for the day were left easily accessible. Then she took herself down to the library to pass the remaining few minutes.

The dowager duchess was already there, sitting in Lavender’s favorite chair. “I thought I might find you here.”

“Lady Gilfordshire, good morning,” Lavender said a touch too brightly.

The dowager waved her hand as if shooing away a fly. “Codswallop. Come sit with me.”

Lavender took the closest seat to the elderly woman. “Can I get you anything?”

“You are being a ninny, you know?”

“Excuse me?” Lavender pulled her head back.

“A ninny,” the dowager said again, a little slower. “I believe I was quite clear.”

Lavender pressed her mouth into a firm line. She would not be baited to tell this woman anything.

“You believe you can run from love?”

Lavender didn’t flinch at the truth of her words. She might be running, but she knew her heart would not change. She was simply doing what must be done to be certain her family was happy. “Who do you believe I am running from?”

“Tom, of course.”

Lavender’s stomach lurched at the sound of his name. She didn’t know how the dowager knew about the growing feelings Lavender had for the gardener, but it didn’t matter anymore either way. “Tom knows my feelings.” Lavender looked the old woman in her graying eyes, not trying to mask the heartbreak she felt. “In the meantime, do you have any other suggestions for me to avoid ruining everyone associated with myself?”

“Tom is entirely bacon-brained.” Lady Gilfordshire folded her arms across her chest. “You do know that you are about to make Miriam have a fit of hysteria, don’t you? She doesn’t believe in settling for anything less than love in one’s marriage.”

Lavender smiled a little at that. Miriam did tend toward the dramatics. “You aren’t trying to dissuade me from my plan?”

“Never. In fact, I’d like to come along if that’s alright with you.”

Lavender felt as if the elderly woman was trapping her in some way, but she couldn’t see where. “I’d love your company . . . and support, if I can get it.”

The dowager winked at Lavender. “I’ll support you, though I give no guarantees of how that support will manifest itself.” She pushed up from her chair. “Now, let’s get some breakfast before we go make the mistake of telling Lord Chilcott you love him.” She winked.

“So Miriam has spoken with you already?”

“Of course she has.”

The thought of fawning over Lord Chilcott made Lavender ill, but she forced a smile anyway and held out her arm to escort the dowager into the breakfast room. Miriam was situated at the head of the table with a heaping plate of food. Toast, kidneys, fruit, and eggs were piled high, and she sat taking dainty little bites.

Miriam nodded to Lavender and the dowager upon their entrance. “Please do sit, I would like to finish breaking my fast before we leave.” She turned to her mother-in-law. “Lady Lavender’s situation is quite complicated, is it not?”

“Of course it is. Where matters of the heart are concerned, there is rarely an uncomplicated way to go about it. You and I both know that.” The dowager sat down.

Miriam tipped her head in agreement.

“Can I get you anything from the sideboard?” Lavender asked the dowager.

She waved her wrinkled hand to refuse, but taking another look at Miriam’s plate she took a deep breath. “It seems we will be here for some time. I’ll have a plate of fruit, dear. Thank you.”