Page 58 of No Match for Love (Regency Love Stories)

They left the establishment without seeing Colbert again.

Much as she had questions for the man, she also didn’t feel she needed to have them all answered.

For once in her life, the innately curious side of herself felt strangely satiated.

There was a hollowness in the midst of her chest, not necessarily a painful or sad feeling, just hollow.

All that time she’d been under the care of her last living relative, and he’d never once told her. Had he cared so little for her that he did not even wish to claim the connection?

Somehow that did not make her feel bad for herself but rather for him.

If what the solicitor said was true, Tarrington—her uncle—had pushed away the one person that ought to have been closest to him.

His brother had followed his heart, and Tarrington had deemed that worth ruining their relationship over. It was sad. Horrible.

But not all parts of the man were terrible—she’d seen that.

She’d seen the briefest glimpses of humanity in him.

After all, he’d evidently forbidden Mr. Frank Colbert from courting her.

Whether that was for some reason as ridiculous as not liking the man’s state of attire or something more serious, he had protected her.

So maybe he had cared in his own way. She had just never been his first priority.

While she could not find it in her to really mourn his loss, she did mourn the loss of the relationship they might have had.

Lucas was quiet as she processed it all, seeming to know that she needed the time in her own thoughts, but she glanced at him now, gratitude making her chest swell. She’d found someone who would forever make her a first priority. And in part, that was thanks to her uncle as well.

He noticed her watching him and stopped just outside on the walk. “Are you well?”

Lydia turned to him. “My mind is racing,” she admitted.

“This changes everything and yet nothing at all. Despite the security it should give me to know this, I...” She glanced down.

“Honestly, all I wish is to return to your home and tell your family we are to be married.” A broad smile painted its way across her face. “Is that horribly odd?”

“If it is, I do not wish to be normal.” He helped her into the carriage, settling by her side and barely refraining from kissing her smiling lips. “I think we ought to be married soon. As soon as your mourning allows.”

“I wonder if next week would be too early...” Her tone was sly as her eyes crinkled with happiness.

“That is not much time to post the banns.” But he was entirely in agreement with her.

“I imagine you can procure a special license. There has to be some reward for marrying a man so loftily titled as yourself.”

He slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “I am glad to know you recognize my many great attributes.”

She settled her head onto him, fitting perfectly in the spot between his shoulder and chest. “Very many indeed.”