Chapter 3 #2
“I believe you were the one who was falling,” he said.
“And a gentleman would apologize anyway,” she said, folding her arms. She watched as something like a smirk flickered over his face before he managed to tame his expression.
“Well, madame, I am ever so sorry,” he started. “That you had such an opinion and it has let you down when faced with reality.”
“Excuse me?” she gasped.
“I am sorry that your expectations have not been met,” he repeated. “I do hope that others are much kinder to you in the future.”
Lavinia could feel herself bristling as heads turned and the crowd’s eyes were drawn to them.
If I continue with this, the rumors will escalate…
“I would advise you to be kinder in the future,” she hissed, holding his gaze.
He nodded. Their eyes were locked onto each other for a few more moments before she turned away to gather her belongings that had been thrown on the ground.
She picked them up quickly before going to rejoin Honora, Temperance, and Cecily.
“Who was that?” Cecily asked as they walked toward the merchant booths. Lavinia looked over her shoulder. He was still watching her.
“I have no idea,” she murmured. Her eyes were locked on his as they turned the corner and continued down the street.
She did her best to push her thoughts away from that mysterious stranger, but her mind just would not allow him to go.
The depth of his dark eyes. The slight curl of his hair.
The intensity of his gaze when he was watching her.
She patted her cheeks as they continued to walk, feeling flush.
She could not be distracted by a man. Especially not a handsome one.
“Your Grace!” a male voice called from behind them.
Lavinia turned and found herself face to face with Lord Casterleigh.
He had not changed in the six years since she had last seen him.
He still had his sharp features, his good fashion, and his blond hair that sat neatly on his head in a way she was not sure had moved once in all the years she’d known him.
His blue eyes were still gentle and warm.
He was smiling at her, a handkerchief in his hand.
“I am so sorry for disturbing you,” he said. “But I saw that you had dropped this…”
She looked down at the handkerchief. Her eyes widened. It was hers. It was one her mother had given her many years before.
“Lord Casterleigh,” she said softly, reaching for the handkerchief. “Thank you ever so much; I had not seen that I had dropped that.”
“You are most welcome,” he replied and smiled warmly.
“I did not expect to see you here today. Were you not in London?” she asked.
“I was,” he confirmed with a nod. “But I have bought a house on the outskirts of the village. This is such a charming little place! I should have expected this was the place you were overseeing.”
“You are much too kind,” Lavinia said softly.
“I am just being honest. It appears that fate has reunited us once again, after all,” he chuckled. “I must say, I have been rather worried about you.”
“Worried?”
“Deeply so,” he nodded. “I have heard a lot of rumors, unfortunately. Not only the ones that I am sure you are worried about—the ones from your wedding night—But also new ones, about a stranger in your midst, and how there are some looking to take your estate from you.”
“I appreciate your concern,” she said. “But I would not spend too much time on rumors. My husband’s estate is secure, so there is no need for you to worry.”
“Well, I am certainly glad to hear that,” he smiled. “If you are ever in need of my assistance in keeping it that way—”
“Lord Casterleigh, if I had wanted that, then I would have reached out to you before now. Especially considering our history,” she said firmly.
“Good,” he nodded. “We were a good couple, were we not?”
“Some may say so,” Lavinia said. “Others may say there is a reason that I did not accept your proposal.”
“Perhaps, perhaps,” he laughed. “I am hoping that I will be able to spend time with you again now that we shall, essentially, be neighbors.”
“We shall see. I am often quite busy running my estate.”
“I am sure you are. But whenever you are not, I do hope you will consider giving me a moment of your time.”
Lavinia nodded slowly. “I will consider it.”
The lord’s eyes widened with joy. He bowed and walked away from the group.
“That was Lord Casterleigh?” Honora asked quietly.
“Indeed, it was,” Cecily said, glaring slightly at the lord’s back as he left.
“And they had courted before?” Honora asked, fidgeting with a ribbon she had bought while Lavinia was distracted.
“Indeed,” Temperance nodded as they approached. “It was a lovely match…”
“We looked good together,” Lavinia said, stepping in line with her friends again. “But I always felt there was something less desirable under his charm.”
“Oh, I understand,” Honora nodded. “It is no use being in a relationship where you believe the other is being calculating or duplicitous.”
“Exactly,” Cecily huffed.
“But one can still hope that he has improved,” Lavinia said. She looked back over her shoulder at where Lord Casterleigh was. She noticed him speaking to a few of his friends, his smile controlled, though not quite reaching his eyes. “It is entirely possible that he has changed.”
“People are indeed capable of change,” Temperance agreed. “But I do hope he has changed for the better.”