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Frances stepped forward, taking her elbow. “Thank you for the promenade, Duke. It was nice of you to stop by this morning. But we must get going.”

She tugged on Jenny’s elbow, but the Duke raised his hand to stop her. “Please, will you allow us a few moments?” he asked.

The plea in his voice caused alarm bells to ring in Jenny’s head.

Why does he sound like he’s sad? If he’s sad, he should stop saying it’s over.

Frances looked at Jenny, who could only nod. She needed to know where this was going. Her stomach twisted at thepossibility that he was truly ending their arrangement so soon after she thought she got his friendship back.

Jenny nodded to Frances. “Go inside, Frannie. I shouldn’t be long.”

Frances leaned into her sister-in-law. “I’ll be in the foyer.”

She kissed her cheek and slipped inside, leaving her with David on the front stoop.

Jenny refused to lower her eyes. If David was going to end whatever this was between them, then he had to do it while looking at her.

His eyes flickered, but they remained on hers.

“I’ve enjoyed our time together.” His words were measured and calculated. “I wish you the best in your search.”

A lump formed in her throat, making it impossible for her to speak. She refused to let her eyes water. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

Come on, Jenny, say something!

“I must disagree.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked. “Thank you again for your time, Miss Bennett.”

Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned and walked out of the gate and down the road. Jenny watched him as he disappeared across the small hill. She willed herself to move, to call after him, to sit and cry, but her body had completely shut down.

The man had been hot and cold since the first day she met him, and each time he refused her, she promised herself it would be the last time she would cave to him. Yet, not more than twenty-four hours after she vowed to stay away from him, she faltered again, only to be crushed once more.

Finding the strength, she turned and made her way inside.

“Jenny, are you alright?”

Jenny looked up to Frances’s worried face. “Define fine,” she responded.

Truth be told, she didn’t know how she felt. She felt numb, sad for sure, but it was the emptiness that bothered her more.

Frances glanced at the drawing room and chewed on her bottom lip.

“I’ll be fine, Frannie. I think all the fresh air tired me out. I think I will lie down for a bit.”

Jenny went to move past Frances, but her sister-in-law gripped her arm. “You can’t go just now.”

“Why not?” Jenny questioned.

“Because there is someone here to see you.”

Jenny raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“A man.”

CHAPTER 12

“Aman?” Jenny rushed to the drawing room door and peeked through the crack. “Who is he?” Her mind was spinning with the turn of events.