Page 41 of Season of the Scoundrel
So she washed and dressed, preparing herself to face Lily’s questions before she could get out the front door again. There was a possibility none of the family had heard her return late in the evening, but the servants knew, of course. And Edgerton House’s servants were loyal to their mistress. Lily would be told.
When Ivy went into the dining room, she realized she’d missed the chance to eat with the others.
“Shall I bring you tea and something to eat, miss?” one of the maids asked as she came into the room to reset the table for luncheon.
“No, Jane. I’ll wait for lunch.”
“Very good, miss.” The young woman went back to her work.
A moment later, the family’s butler entered the room. “Ah, Miss Bridewell, Her Grace has asked that you join her in the morning room.”
“Thank you.” Ivy drew in a deep breath and went to find Lily.
Her sister sat her escritoire, where she usually took care of correspondence or writing in a journal she kept.
“I didn’t come home until late last evening,” Ivy blurted the words, determined to get the truth out and deal with whatever recriminations might come so that she could tell her sister what she felt, what she’d decided. “I was with Blackbourne.”
Lily didn’t respond for a moment and simply settled her pen on its tray and laid her correspondence aside. Then she turned to face Ivy.
“What is truly between you and the Duke of Blackbourne?” She raised a hand before Ivy could respond. “Beyond the false betrothal. It has been quite clear to me since the first moment I saw the two of you together that there is more.”
Ivy clasped her hands before her. “I love him, Lily. I know it’s only been a matter of days, but I know what I feel. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before, or ever wanted to feel for anyone.”
Lily’s mouth curved in a soft smile. “It can be a bit frightening.”
“It’s terrifying.” Ivy sank down onto a chair across from her sister. “I wouldn’t change it. I don’t want to feel less, but what I do feel for him is so overwhelming. Even now, I feel his absence. I want nothing as much as I want to be with him.” Ivy’s eyes stung with tears. “I don’t want to lose myself in him either.”
Lily reached out and took her hands. “You won’t. You’re strong and stubborn and have always known your own mind. Opening your heart to love doesn’t make you less, I promise. All those things you wanted before you met Blackbourne, they may change, or perhaps they won’t.
Ivy swiped a tear a way. “He seems to like me just as I am.”My love.“He seems to love me for exactly who I am.”
Lily reached into her pocket and produced a handkerchief.
Ivy took it and dabbed at her eyes. “Did you ever imagine love would turn me into a watering pot?”
Lily chuckled. “As far as I’m concerned, a good cry is terribly liberating.”
“Even for a duchess?”
Lily released Ivy’s hands and crossed her arms. “I don’t know where you’ve gotten these notions of what a duchess should be, especially seeing that you’ve seen me be entirely imperfect and yet still fulfill the duties expected of me.”
“Then you’ll teach me?”
Lily laughed. “I will help in any way you ask me to, but as you said, and please never forget it, Blackbourne feels the way he does about you because he sees and admires who you now.”
One of the maids rapped at the door, and both of them turned that way.
“Pardon, Your Grace, a visitor for Miss Ivy.”
“Who is it?” Ivy asked, hoping it was Ross.
“The Duchess of Blackbourne, miss.”
Lily gave her a look that seemed both warning and encouragement. “Hold your ground,” she whispered. Then to the maid, she said, “Tell the duchess that my sister will meet her in the drawing room.”
Ivy stood and swiped a hand down her dress, then reached up to check the pins in her hair.
“You are stubborn and fierce Ivy Bridewell, as worthy as any woman in England to be Blackbourne’s duchess,” Lily told her once the maid had gone.
