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“You may do as you like,” she said, flustered by his proximity, memories of the night before flashing through her mind.

He lifted a hand, running the back of it against her cheek, smiling as she shuddered.

“Hm, perhaps you are right. I shall meet you on the terrace, Duchess. Thank you for coming to retrieve me. I enjoy our mornings together, too.”

He scratched Dove between her ears and then walked back into the house.

Alicia stood watching him, the kitten in her arms, wondering when she had begun to crave his company to such a degree.

That afternoon, she went to meet Bridget and Katie.

Alicia had decided that, having lost her once, the best way to make sure Dove did not go missing again was to have her with her at all times. That was how she found herself holding the kitten on her lap as she traveled through the streets of the local village.

Following her visit toOmingham Tearooms, Seth had told her there was a better, more refined establishment in a local village, and she had suggested it for their meeting.

She was instantly glad of it, for as she reached the edge of the village, the heavens opened and a cascade of warm rain fell all about her.

Every shop she passed had an awning outside of it, and she hoped that Bridget and Katie had been able to find shelter.

Her worry was unfounded, however, as when she arrived at the tearooms, she found her friends seated by the window.

“Find somewhere dry to wait if you can, Sterling,” she said to the driver. “I shall be an hour or so.”

“Very good, Your Grace.” The sharp crack of the whip sounded as the carriage moved off, and she walked inside.

The tearooms were far more elegant thanOmingham’s. The furniture was of the finest quality, and the soft, pale green of the walls helped to give it a refined and pleasant air.

Tablecloths lined every surface, and the china was beautifully painted, with delicate blackberries around the rim.

Katie and Bridget rose as she entered, and Alicia was relieved to see no anger on their faces.

She reached to embrace Katie but was instantly interrupted by her excited gasp.

“Oh my Goodness! Oh Bridget, look! Oh, she is utterly beautiful.”

Katie plucked Dove from Alicia’s arms.

Bridget came forward, too, and stroked the cat, who mewed at them both, struggling to escape so she could get to the butter that had been placed at the center of the table.

After much fawning and purring from Dove, Katie and Bridget sat down opposite Alicia, and their tea was brought in short order.

Dove settled quite happily in Katie’s lap and fell asleep as they helped themselves to the excellent scones that were presented to them.

All of them sipped their tea in unison, cups at their lips, eyes flicking around the table to see who would be the first to speak.

Alicia would have found it amusing if she had not been so nervous about what she had to confess.

“I am sorry,” she blurted, placing her cup in its saucer. “I was beastly to you both the last time we saw each other. You have only ever tried to help me, and I was unfair in how I reacted.”

To her dismay, Katie and Bridget merely exchanged an indecipherable look and stared at her, as if waiting for more.

Alicia bit her lip. “It was difficult for me to hear you speak about Seth in such a way.”

She hesitated, and there was a long silence before Bridget leaned forward, looking confused.

“Why?”

“Because…” Alicia wrung her hands in her lap, her palms clammy as she met their gazes in turn. “Because I care for him. I have since the beginning, even when I was supposed to hate him. I didn’t intend it, but I don’t wish to annul the marriage as we planned. Not anymore. I do not believe for a moment that the rumors are true. He would not hurt anyone, of that I am sure.”