Page 96 of His Stolen Duchess

“It’s only a figure of speech, Izzy,” her sister said.

“Not a very good one,” Isabella said, picking up her teacup. “Why would it be better to say less about something like this when we all want the juicy details. I would be loath to be the last person to know.”

Georgina smiled. Partly because the twins entertained her, but primarily because she could take her mind off Lysander for an afternoon.

They spent hours at the parlor table, drinking tea, eating cake, and laughing as they spoke and told stories. It was heaven for Georgina, and she was sad when the twins had to leave, even if they had promised to return another time.

“You’re hurting,” Emily said as she and her sister stood in the doorway watching the twins’ coach recede from view.

“I’ll be fine,” Georgina said.

“I don’t know if you will,” Emily admitted. “I haven’t seen you like this before. You really like him, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. I never meant to fall for him, but I have, and he’ll never return that sentiment but the further I distance myself from my husband, the more trapped I feel. I’m supposed to be with him, I know it. But I can’t.”

“Then what will you do?” Emily asked.

“I don’t know.” Georgina watched as the coach turned into a dot on the horizon before it disappeared. “I can’t change him, nor should that be my goal. I want to love him for who he is, but how can I go on loving a man who will never love me? What am I supposed to do about that?”

“I don’t know,” Emily admitted. “Come back inside and have some tea with me. If we talk it out, perhaps it’ll give you a new perspective on the matter. He is your husband, so you can’t stay here forever.”

“Can I borrow a coach?” Georgina asked.

“Are you going back to him?”

“No, not yet. I need some time to think about how I can live this life. I just want to go back to the start. If I could start all over again, would it be any different?”

“Do you need some company?” Emily offered.

“I think I just need to be alone.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Lysander knocked on the door and waited. He looked back at his horse, which he had tethered to a post at the front of Eastbeck Manor. The horse huffed and bowed its head. Lysander turned around as the door opened.

“Your Grace,” the butler said. “A pleasure to see you, of course, but I’m afraid Lord Eastbeck is not at home at the moment. He has gone to Berwick-upon-Tweed on business. I hope this does not put you out.”

“Not at all,” Lysander replied. “I’m here to see Lady Eastbeck. I’m sure that when you tell her I’m here to speak with her, she will see me privately.”

The butler’s lower lip moved up and down a few times of its own accord as he stared at the Duke and tried to work out what was happening.

“I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

“No, yes, of course not. Won’t you please come in, Your Grace?” the butler asked, regaining some of his former composure.

Lysander followed him into the house and waited in the entranceway as the butler went off to speak with Lady Eastbeck, looking around the foyer as he waited. It was thoughtfully decorated, even lavish in parts. Money was obviously plentiful in the house.

The butler returned a few minutes later, walking with his shoulders pushed back.

“Lady Eastbeck would be glad to entertain your request, Your Grace. She is currently taking tea out in the conservatory and has asked me to show you out there.”

“Lead the way,” Lysander ordered. “How long has Lord Eastbeck been away on business?”

“Two weeks, Your Grace. He is scheduled to finish out the month up north before he returns. He will be sad to have missed you.”

“I’m sure,” Lysander said.

The butler led him through the house and out the back door onto the lawn. They walked across the grass to the small conservatory, and the butler opened the door to allow Lysander to enter.