Page 73 of The Duke's Bride in Disguise

Chapter Sixteen

The three days since Kilbride had walked out the door, had felt like the longest three days of Ava's life. True, she was busy with callers, curious to see the now famous, long lost twins, but every time that Graves had stepped into the drawing room, to announce a caller, Ava's heart had leapt with hope.

And every time, she had been disappointed.

What do you expect, she chastised herself, the man laid his soul bare before you and you made a mockery of it.

The guilt that wracked her at this thought, left Ava unable to sleep, and soon she was so pale and tired, that the servants stopped mixing her and Emily up.

"You'll have to eat something," Emily said with concern over breakfast, "You're wasting away before our very eyes."

"Hear, hear," Lord Fairfax called loudly, from behind his paper, "Have a sausage, dear. As a matter of fact, have the whole pig."

Despite this appetising offer, Ava pushed her plate of sausage and eggs away untouched. She had no appetite, for food, or anything else for that matter.

"Perhaps we'll take a trip into town?" Emily suggested brightly, "We can take a look at the prints in Ackerman's, then go to Gunter's for a pastry."

Since Emily had resumed her role asLadyEmily, she had been determined to sample all the delights that London could offer. She refused, point blank, to be drawn into any discussion about her time in Kent with the Duke of Hemsworth, always changing the subject to matters material, sartorial, or edible.

She is as glum as I am, Ava realised with a start—only Emily was hiding her feelings behind food and forced frolics.

"I think," Ava said quietly, "That I might go lie down for an hour instead."

"You've only just got up," Emily protested, though her face softened as she took in her twin sister's exhausted appearance.

"Perhaps a lie down would be a good idea," Lord Fairfax said nervously, laying his paper down on the table, before giving Ava a strange look. "If you are to be married this afternoon, you'll need to a good rest beforehand."

"What?"