Page 66 of The Legend of the Betrayed Duchess

When the breakfast arrived, Lucy was in a pensive mood. Harold would ask her questions, but she mostly stared out the window and would respond with unexpanded answers. Her mind was cycling through so many thoughts. She could not wait to introduce Harold to Isabell. She had to rethink her whole day—she was no longer required to attend on her Grace. She needed to make a decision about her job offer in London—and then there was George.

After a while, Harold leaned in closer to Lucy and waved his hand. “Hello? Anybody home?” he teased.

Lucy snapped back into the moment.

“Oh, yes. I am so sorry. I am still adjusting to my new circumstances. It has been a most amazing four and twenty hours.”

“I imagine it has.”

Lucy suddenly had an idea. “Oh, Harold, there is someone I want you to meet—my very best friend, Isabell. Might you enjoy a walk this morning? I thought it might also give us some time to catch up. There are so many questions I want to ask you.”

“And I to you. I should love a walk and meet Isabell. And do you think it might be possible for us to visit the old house?”

Lucy answered, “It has been rebuilt, and there is a new family living there now. It does not look quite the same.”

Harold thought about that. “Another time then. I should like to visit but am not in a rush. It is much more important that you and I get reacquainted for now.”

* * *

As Lucy and Harold were leaving the house for their visit to Isabell, they came across George leaving to work with his father. He gave them a welcoming smile.

“Lucy, Harold, did you have a restful sleep?”

“We did. It is a great pleasure to be here,” Harold replied.

Lucy went over and placed her hand on George’s arm. “Oh, my dear friend, how can I ever thank you for standing up for me last night. I am still swimming in a dream. I feel like I can breathe deeply for the first time in my life.”

“It is only right.” He addressed Harold, “And thank you, Harold, for your story. Somehow it made all the difference. I have been trying for years to get the family to accept Lucy as one of us. And it is only now that they have come around—or at least my father has—and he is the one who counts when it comes to family decisions.”

Harold turned to his sister and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I have found my angel at last. And that is all that matters to me.”

“We are off to visit Isabell,” Lucy said.

“Then I shall see you at lunch? I missed you at breakfast.”

“We had breakfast in our rooms. Such a luxury. And I am not certain her Grace would have approved of me at the breakfast table—at least not yet.”

“I must head out. Enjoy your visit,” George said and then headed toward the barn.

As they began walking toward Isabell’s Lucy said, “How very fortunate you were to be found by the Bartletts. They sound like very fine people.”

“They were. And I owe my entire present existence to their splendid care.”

“Do you still reside in London?” she asked.

“No, I sold the house along with the business. I have never forgotten my roots and find the country more accommodating to my tastes.”

“Then you must be quite wealthy, is that not so?”

Harold glanced at her. “It is. But it is not my primary concern. Finding you has been. And now I have found you.”

“Then what is next for you?”

“I am uncertain. And you? What are your hopes and dreams, dear sister? Is there anyone special in your life?”

Lucy explained about her writing and her struggle to find the time to write, despite her success with getting published earlier.

“Then now you are freed up to write again.”