Page 107

“I am.” Georgiana raised her eyebrows. “Will you not answer my question?”

“Oh this?” Daisy appeared flustered as she looked down at the note. “It is just a little letter from a friend.”

Georgiana frowned, worried for a moment that it might be Thomas. Daisy seemed to read her mind.

“It is from Lionel,” she hastened to add, “he has been checking on us while you have been ill. Well, he also said someone needs to care for the carer.” She smiled shyly. “And he came by to see how you were doing.”

“Lionel?” Georgiana asked.

“Yes. Lord Stanmore.”

“The viscount?”

“Yes.”

Georgiana nodded. “I see. I remember he was quite enamored of you when we visited.”

Daisy blushed. “It is nothing like that. He is just being kind.”

“You said he checks on you daily?”

Daisy nodded, unable to hide the shine in her eyes, and how she glowed from within at the thought of him.

“That seems to be more than kind. It is certainly more than my own husband is doing,” she said bitterly.

Daisy’s face fell.

Georgiana sighed, shaking her head. “Forgive me. I did not mean to impose that upon you. I am happy for you. Lord Stanmore is a good man.”

“Yes, he is.” Daisy nodded emphatically. “And His Grace is Lord Stanmore’s friend, which means he must believe Robert to be a decent man.”

Georgiana snorted. “No one has said otherwise.”

“Butyouhave been thinking it because he left. Lionel has been talking to me about him. He told me that His Grace feels deeply, and he feels responsible for everyone around him. He wants to be all things to all people, to save everyone, and when he is unable to do so, he literally cannot bear it.”

“That is a foolish way to live,” Georgiana said.

“Or it is a noble way to live,” Daisy countered.

Georgiana waved her hands dismissively. “Forget him for now. Tell me more about Lionel and his notes. What has he written that has you so lit up with joy.”

“It is nothing,” Daisy said bashfully, “he simply described to me how I looked to him when he came to check on how you were. He said I was a bit pale from staying inside, but that it suited me. He called me his little pixie.” She giggled.

“You are a beautiful little pixie. He is right,” Georgiana agreed.

“Well, you are also beautiful. A beautiful older sister, with a huge, magnanimous heart, and so much love to give.” She walked over to the bed, wrapped Georgiana in her arms, and gave her a hard squeeze. “You deserve the same amount of love in return.”

Georgiana swallowed the lump in her throat and slowly put her arms around Daisy. She was relieved that the girl had moved on from Thomas, but as big as Daisy thought her heart was, she was uncertain that she had it in her to watch Daisy ride off into the sunset with Robert’s friend without feeling slightly envious.

I want that kind of love; one that declares itself openly, unashamedly, and enthusiastically. A love that I can trust and believe in.

Robert was stomping the mud from his boots to go inside for tea when he turned around and saw Selina standing behind him. He yelped in surprise and grabbed his chest.

“Where did you come from?”

Selina smiled slowly. “London. Where else?”

Robert’s heart sank. “You…have news?” he inquired fearfully.