Page 20 of A Flurry for a Duke

“I should have known. I shouldn’t have trusted him. He seemed nice, but obviously he had other plans.”

“Who was he?”

“I didn’t recognize him. Just that he had very nice clothes. That of a duke, even. I think that’s why I felt as though I could trust him.”

“There, there, Astrid. We can’t go through life distrusting people for no reason. It was innocent. I don’t hold it against you.”

“You’re a better person than I am.”

“I don’t think so. You’re apologizing now. That’s what matters. That we own our mistakes. And change because of them.”

“You are a beautiful person, Hope. And I don’t just mean on the outside. You have a heart of gold.”

“Well, I guess then I should tell you that I do forgive you for being Lady X. While I can’t fathom why you took such drastic measures against Evan, I do understand the pain of unrequited love.”

Astrid was weeping in her lap at this last offer of mercy. “I shouldn’t have done it. I don’t know why I did. I was just so mad at him. He didn’t love me. He couldn’t love me. So I didn’t want him to have love either.”

“It was a terrible thing to do, but now Evan has Felicity and they’re happy together.”

“And I can finally say I’m happy for him.”

“See? That’s wonderful, then.”

“Yes, it does feel good. Like a weight has been lifted from my heart. So now I must regain my composure and take courage. I know you don’t want to marry Isaac. But he needs you. He needs someone to take care of him. He won’t say it, but he needs it.”

“I can’t—”

“You can. You are stronger than any other female I know.”

Hope had never really viewed nurturing as a strength. “I don’t know that taking care of others makes me strong.”

“My God woman, you willingly put yourself beneath others and carry their weight. What could require more strength than that?”

Tears burned Hope’s eyes. She didn’t need everyone to acknowledge that, but she did need some people to see it.

“Thank you, Astrid. In spite of everything, I know I shall count you as a dear friend from here on out.”

Because that’s all she needed to hear to confirm her decision.

Chapter 10

ANDSHEWASQUITEresolved in her decision until Isaac walked in.

“We can still be friends,” he said abruptly.

“Well, yes. I suppose so.” Friends? He wanted to be friends? That was not going to work for her.

“Starting now.”

“All right…”

“There’s no need for things to become awkward. Let’s just talk, like we always have.”

It was Christmas Eve. All of her brothers were home. The family was magically reunited, so she should be visiting with them. Enjoying herself. That’s what she had wanted. Yet, her desires had changed. Now she wanted this time alone with Isaac that he was requesting. Albeit awkwardly.

Unsure of how to navigate this rather assertive demand for conversation, Hope opened the doors of conversation as wide as she dared.

“What’s been on your mind lately?”

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