Chapter 24
The afternoon sunlight filtered gently through the large bay windows in the drawing room, casting a warm glow on the richly upholstered chairs and ornate furnishings.
Lavinia sat quietly by the hearth, her thoughts wandering in the stillness of the room.
Her life had felt like an endless swirl of uncertainty since Peter had left, and her days now seemed to stretch on, filled with moments of reflection she didn’t always welcome.
Her heart ached with thoughts of him—his cold distance, their parting, and the storm of emotions she hadn’t fully processed.
Her solitude was abruptly interrupted by the creak of the double doors. She straightened in her chair as the butler entered, his posture rigid and his face unreadable.
“Miss Fitzroy,” he began. “The Duke of Pemberton has arrived.”
Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Peter?
Her mind was reeling.
He has come? Why now?
Before she could react, her mother, who had been sitting across the room, shared a glance with her father, who had just risen from his chair, equally stunned.
“The Duke?” he repeated, his brow furrowing in both surprise and confusion. “What business brings him here so suddenly?”
The butler dipped his head, sensing the tension in the room. “The Duke has requested an audience with Miss Fitzroy,” he said, before turning to Lavinia, who could only stare at the doorway.
Peter appeared a moment later, stepping into the drawing room, his presence immediately commanding the space.
His dark, tailored coat and perfectly polished boots made him look every inch the powerful duke, but Lavinia’s eyes were drawn to his face—the intensity in his gaze, the urgency that seemed to radiate from him.
He looked directly at her, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Your Grace,” the Baroness greeted as she rose to her feet, her voice tinged with both surprise and curiosity. “We weren’t expecting you.”
Peter bowed his head in greeting. “My apologies for arriving unannounced, Lord and Lady Crawford,” he said, his voice quiet. “I have urgent matters to discuss, and I fear I could not delay my visit.”
The Baron and Baroness exchanged a quick glance. It was obvious they were unsure what to make of the situation.
Lavinia, still seated, felt her pulse quicken. What could possibly have brought him here, to her home, without any prior notice? She hadn’t heard from him since he left the estate.
Peter’s gaze flickered to her briefly before turning back to her parents. “If I may be so bold, I wish to speak with you… all of you.”
He stood there for a moment, looking as if he was gathering his thoughts.
Lavinia rose from her seat, her palms slightly damp as she clasped them together, unsure of what to expect. Silence stretched between them, and for a brief moment, she wanted to say something—to ask him why he had come—but the words stuck in her throat.
“Very well,” her father said. “If you have something to say, Your Grace, we are eager to listen.”
Peter cleared his throat loudly, then looked at her. “I should have come sooner,” he began, his voice low and filled with regret. “I should have confessed my love earlier. I should have—”
“Oh, dear,” her mother gasped, clasping her hands to her chest.
“Hush,” her father murmured, before motioning for Peter to continue. “The gentleman is sharing his feelings.”
Her parents grasped each other’s hands, and her mother let out a dreamy sigh.
Peter stepped forward, and Lavinia returned her attention to him. “I’ve been a fool, Lavinia,” he said, the rawness in his voice startling her. “I thought I was being wise and sensible by keeping my distance, but now I see that I was wrong.”
Lavinia swallowed, her voice trembling as she spoke. “What are you saying, Peter?”
“I’m saying that I love you,” he said, his voice firm.
“I’ve loved you for days—weeks. But I was afraid.
Afraid that what I had to offer you would never be enough.
that I would never be good enough. I did not believe in love the way you do.
I shunned the mere notion of finding the one person in this world who could make me feel whole until… until I met you.”
Her breath caught in her throat.
Love? He loves me?
It was the confession she had longed to hear, but now that it was spoken, she was too overwhelmed to process it.
“And now,” Peter continued, his eyes darkening with something far more serious, “I hear you’re engaged to Lord Windham.” He turned and stared at her parents long and hard.
Lavinia’s mouth fell open in shock, completely blindsided by his words.
“Engaged?” her father echoed incredulously.
“To Emanuel?” her mother added. “Where on earth did you hear that, Your Grace?”
Peter’s brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. “Madeline told me. She received a letter from you, Lavinia, just this morning, announcing your engagement.”
A laugh bubbled up in Lavinia’s throat, despite the tension. “Engaged to Lord Windham? Peter, that’s absurd.”
Peter blinked, clearly thrown by her reaction. “What do you mean?”
“Madeline must have misunderstood,” Lavinia said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I would never agree to marry that man. I could never agree to marry any man, but…” she trailed off.
She knew she did not need to finish her statement. Everyone already understood that she was in love with Peter, too.
Peter exhaled sharply, as if a weight had just been lifted from his chest. “So, it’s not true?”
“Of course not,” Lavinia said, meeting his gaze squarely.
“Lord Windham did propose to our Lavinia, Your Grace,” her mother interjected.
Lavinia turned toward her and made a motion with her hand, hoping that would stop her from speaking.
“He did,” her mother continued nonetheless. “He asked Lavinia’s father if they might get married, and we promised to speak to her about the arrangement.”
“But then I got called away to London,” her father picked up, “and… well… ho-ho…” He let out his signature deep belly laugh. “By the time I returned home and told Lavinia about the proposal, she was already dead set against marrying the man.”
Relief flooded through Peter, and he stepped closer to Lavinia, his expression softening. “I’ve been tormenting myself with the thought of you with him,” he admitted. “I thought I had lost you for good.”
Lavinia’s heart swelled at his words, and for a moment, all the hurt she had been feeling dissolved.
Peter loved her. He had been fighting his feelings all along, but now here he was, standing before her, bearing his soul.
“And now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “What happens now?”
He reached for her hand, his touch gentle yet firm. “Now, I ask for your forgiveness,” he said softly. “For pushing you away, for making you doubt how much you mean to me. Now…” His eyes held hers with unwavering intensity. “I ask for a second chance. If you’ll have me.”
Lavinia’s heart fluttered as she searched his face, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. This was the Peter she had fallen in love with, the man she had longed to see again. And now here he was, offering her everything she had ever wanted.
A smile slowly spread across her lips, her heart soaring. “I think,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion, “that a second chance is exactly what I’ve been waiting for.”
Peter’s face lit up with relief and joy, and without another word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close as if he never wanted to let her go again.
Lavinia melted into his embrace, the weight of their unspoken feelings finally lifting.
In that moment, everything felt right. The uncertainty, the fear, the distance between them all faded away, leaving only the promise of the future they could finally share.
It had only been a few weeks since Peter officially began courting Lavinia, and the change in their relationship was palpable.
Gone were the days of stolen glances and uncertain feelings.
Now, their courtship was public, a declaration to the world that the Duke of Pemberton and the daughter of the Baron and Baroness Crawford were united.
It felt thrilling, almost unreal. Lavinia’s heart raced whenever Peter looked at her with that intensity that made her feel both desired and cherished.
Her parents had seemed surprised at first when he had burst into their drawing room, declared his feelings, and then asked her to be his wife, but they had quickly warmed up to the match.
Perhaps it was because of Peter’s title, or perhaps they simply saw the way he treated Lavinia with a reverence that couldn’t be faked.
Either way, Lavinia found herself growing closer to Peter each day, their bond strengthening with every conversation, every lingering touch.
As they entered the grand ballroom, arms linked, Lavinia couldn’t help but feel a rush of exhilaration.
Whispers followed them, but she did not mind the chatter.
People were simply wondering about the future Duchess of Pemberton.
She felt Peter’s hand tighten slightly around hers, a silent reassurance that he was by her side.
The night progressed beautifully. They danced, they laughed, and they mingled with the other guests. It was as if nothing could go wrong. But, of course, fate had other plans.
It started subtly, the murmurs growing at the edge of the room. Lavinia noticed Peter stiffen beside her as they stood near the refreshments table, but it wasn’t until she turned that she saw him.
Lord Windham.
She had not seen him since the house party. Even when she had rejected his proposal, she had simply let her father write a letter on her behalf.
“Miss Fitzroy!” Lord Windham called, before they could turn away and ignore him completely.
Peter’s hand was instantly on her waist, a protective gesture that sent warmth coursing through her despite the rising tension.
Lord Windham shuffled closer. He was no longer the reticent, wisp of a man she had first met at her parents’ house party, but he did not look confident either.
“I wished to offer you my congratulations,” he said as he peered at her.
“Indeed?” Peter was the one to answer.
“Yes.” Lord Windham turned so that he could address them both. “I should have known, back when we were all together at the house party, that the two of you… Well, that is to say…” His cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“We are in love,” Peter finished.
Lavinia’s heart swelled at his words, and before she could stop herself, she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him in a sudden embrace.
She felt his surprise at first, but then he relaxed, his arms encircling her, pulling her close. For a moment, the world around them faded away, and it was just the two of them in that crowded ballroom, lost in the safety of each other’s arms.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she whispered against his chest, her voice barely audible.
Peter stroked her hair gently. “You’ll never have to find out.”
The moment stretched between them, but they were soon interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat.
Lavinia quickly pulled back, her cheeks flushing when she saw Lord Windham still standing there, looking at them.
“I must apologize.” She giggled. “I suppose I got carried away just now.”
“No need for apologies, Miss Fitzroy,” Lord Windham replied. He smiled at her, then nodded at Peter. “I only hope that someday I will find someone who loves me the way the two of you love each other.”
“It is the most incredible feeling,” Peter murmured, his grip tightened on Lavinia’s waist.
She smiled serenely. “This feeling, this love, you must be willing to wait for it, Lord Windham. You must not rush into anything or try to seek it out.”
Lord Windham gave a wry chuckle. “Oh, I have learned my lesson, Miss Fitzroy. And I will not make the same mistake twice.”
Lavinia closed her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips as she reveled in the moment. Her mind was filled with visions of a life with Peter by her side—a life filled with love, passion, and the promise of forever.